New Zealand-born Tongan actor Luciane Buchanan is a big deal around the world. Season one of The Night Agent, the Netflix show that she stars in alongside Gabriel Basso, was, for a time, the streaming giant’s most-watched English language show, clocking up 812 million hours (or over 100,000 years) of time people watched her character Rose take on a bunch of political baddies. Season two of the action thriller, out January 23, is hotly anticipated to do similar business.
Luciane is currently based in New York City, but she remains firmly connected to her whenua. She recently wrote and starred in Lea Tupu’anga/Mother Tongue, a short film directed by Vea Mafile’o about a Tongan/Pākeha speech language therapist who lies about her linguistic abilities in order to get a job caring for an elderly Tongan man. The short, which premiered at Sundance in January of last year, has since played festivals the world over, collecting accolades around the way.
Ahead of the release of the latest season of The Night Agent, Luciane talks about skinny dipping, getting drunk at Broadway shows, Beyoncé conspiracy theories and more.
When was the last time you cried?
On New Year’s Eve singing to I Would Die 4 You by Prince.
When was the last time you danced, and what were you dancing to?
New Year's Eve (again!). I literally danced all night to various songs, but I did do a full length performance to the Beyoncé Cowboy Carter album. I started from Riverdance which is closer to the end of the album and didn't stop till it looped back. It was so crack up, the house we were renting’s lounge lights were strobing accidently minutes after midnight on its own, fireworks were going off and we were at the top of this big valley, there were lighting strikes and I ended up naked in the pool for the last songs. So dramatic and so extra.
What was the last thing you bought and loved?
It would be my Dyson Airwrap. It's truly amazing.
What’s the last piece of clothing you bought?
I bought a Helmut Lang shearling coat for winter here in New York. It was on sale and omg it keeps me so warm. It's all about the coat game here!
What’s the last beauty product you finished?
By Terry Brightening CC Serum - Shade 4 Sunny Flash. A makeup artist back home, Kelly Mitchell, gave it to me as a gift and I've converted so many of my friends to using it. If you wanna look like you're glowing, trust me, it works!
When was the last time you got really angry?
Getting lost driving in Costa Rica because our GPS lost signal and they don't have bloody street names! Rain. Potholes. Mud. Nahhh I was over it.
When’s the last time you got drunk?
I've been good lately but maybe with my girl Tam when she visited me in November last year. We started off drinking red wine at this restaurant Lucien in the Lower East Side. Then moved on to French 75's which are way too easy to drink. We were a bit lit by the time we went to see a Broadway play Sunset Blvd, barely making it in time. We then got a double pour of the house red wine as the alarms to get to our seats went off and let's just say we both don't know how it ended cause we both fell asleep in the last act... Getting home was hilarious.
What was the last really delicious thing you ate?
Everything is delicious in New York but being in Costa Rica for a month, the Casado plates UGH. I would smash them back everyday. It's usually Gallo Pinto (beans and rice), plantains, salsa, salad and whatever protein. Then you add Lizano sauce. Fire.
The last song you listened to on Spotify?
At the gym, NISSAN ALTIMA by Doechii really gets me going.
The last book you finished?
I'm not a big reader but I finished Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed on my holiday, recommended by my friend Frankie, who knew I needed a bit of this! And driving around Costa Rica my friend suggested Just Kids by Patti Smith so we started it there, and funnily enough I finished it here in Brooklyn where it all takes place.
The last TV show you watched?
The Penguin on HBO [available on Neon in Aotearoa]. Cristin Milioti is FIRE in this. Her stand alone ep, I go back and watch cause it's a masterclass. Also Martha Melendez, our talented makeup head from The Night Agent S2, also designed The Penguin. There was some overlap between jobs, so she was essentially doing both at the same time and she knocked it out of the park. I'm so proud of her!
Sex and the City is always just playing around the house, it's a classic.
The last DM/text you sent? Who was it to?
"Ugh she pisses me off. But there's no one like her," to my girl Lauryn discussing Beyoncé and her tour/visuals conspiracies. HAHA so classic.
The last time you laughed so much your tummy hurt?
I walked into the doorway with my coffee in hand and spilled coffee all over the white wall but not myself. Or the floor! The physical comedy and the noises I made had me and my friend Eve in fits.
What’s the last drug you took?
A joint last night with my kindergarten best friend who I haven't seen in 20 years! It was beautiful to see her and catch up on lost time. Glad she likes weed. Also, it's legal here, thank goodness.
When’s the last time you were home?
August last year. I had to come home for three weeks for reshoots for our [upcoming] Apple TV+ show Chief of War. It was strange to be staying in a hotel in my home city.
It was really special while I was home; my short film played at the NZIFF/Whānau Mārama and it was extra special to have my cast, crew, childhood friends and family all there. Taking home Best NZ short was a surprise but the cherry on top.
My whole family celebrated afterwards at Empress Garden restaurant in Herne Bay, a place we grew up going to. It's still yum az! Saying goodbye to my mum and dad still gives me a lump in my throat.
WATCH: Luciane's family appeared in season one of the series Still Here:
