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As the showrunner and co-creator of the new Netflix series “Crew Girl,” Vivian Lin knew she wanted the show’s protagonist to be Asian American. “When you get into casting, the search generally broadens out, but it was important to me that we considered actors of Asian descent for the role, just to see if I would find the [lead character] Teagan in my mind,” Lin said in an interview from Toronto. “Luckily for all of us, Miku [Martineau] walked into the room. I think she said two lines and I realized she was who I’d been picturing. When I was writing the character, I wanted her to be a strong and badass leader, yet stay feminine and to have a softness to her [and] still be a normal teenage girl. That’s Miku, who is elegant and petite, but also fiercely capable of anything you throw at her.”

Lin updates her work and travels on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/the_vlin/). This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Q: Where in British Columbia was this series filmed?

A: The rowing was filmed at two locations, Elk Lake and the Gorge Waterway, both stunning places. The Crab Shack, where Ella works, is Seahorses Café in Brentwood Bay. Probably the most recognizable is Hatley Castle, which was in “X-Men” as Professor Xavier’s School, and I like to imagine a version of the show where all the rowers are also mutants.

Q: If Teagan Tao could go on her ultimate vacation, where would it be and why?

A: Teagan is both a rower and an explorer. First, it would be Tokyo, so she can check out Tokyo Bay where the 2020 Olympics were held, as well as connect with her heritage. Harajuku and Nezu Museum would also be on the agenda. Next would be Lucerne, Switzerland, to enjoy the stunning mountains but it is basically the Mecca for rowers. The nickname for the regatta that is held there is the “Regatta of Death” because it’s the last chance to qualify for the Worlds or the Olympics. And obviously, another spot on the list, without question, she’d go to Henley-on-Thames in England.

Q: Do you have any upcoming trips planned?

A: Turks & Caicos at the halfway point in winter, to gather stamina to survive the rest of winter.

Q: What is your favorite vacation destination?

A: Oh, either New York City or Montreal. Culture, style, food, energy, joie de vivre, bagels – there is always so much to see and explore. Also, Montreal has the hidden gem Jeans Jeans Jeans, which provides the best jean-purchasing experience in the world. The salespeople will look at you, immediately find you the jeans that fit you perfectly and have it hemmed before you get to the cash register.

Q: What was a trip you took as a child that stands out?

A: Los Angeles, when I was eight. I remember thinking it was just a completely magical place. The sunlight is golden, there are palm trees, you’re right near the beach and the ocean. Add Universal Studios and Disneyland on top of it, and my mind was blown.

Q: What's the most important thing you've learned from your travels?

A: I love that every place you visit, from small town to metropolis, has its own unique way of living and point-of-view on life. There’s always a local wisdom that I’ve never thought about that changes some part of my life for the better.

Q: Where are your favorite weekend getaways?

A: Prince Edward County, for a little wine tasting, lake staring and maybe a campfire.

Q: If you've ever gone away for the holidays, which was the best trip?

A: I have family in Nova Scotia. One of my favorite Christmas traditions is to stay at the Lord Nelson Hotel & Suites in Halifax and have family dinner at the Arms.

Q: What are your five favorite cities?

A: New York City, Montreal, Krakow, Taipei [and the filming location for “Crew Girl] Victoria.

Q: Where would you like to go that you have never been to before?

A: Paris. For all the nerdy classic tourist reasons.

Q: When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?

A: Eucerin hand cream for the plane, because it gets so dry. Aesop Parsley Seed Facial Cleanser, because every new place has its own pH and atmosphere that can interact with your skin. I found this cleanser keeps it all in check. This lavender, thermal eye mask from a Japanese brand called MegRhythm that helps you sleep when in a different time zone.

Q: What is your best vacation memory?

A: I went whale watching in Tofino, and being around the whales [and] in their home is such a humbling experience. It’s a reminder about how awe-inspiring nature is.

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(Jae-Ha Kim is a New York Times bestselling author and journalist. You can reach her at www.jaehakim.com, follow her on Instagram and X @goawaywithjae, or read more from her on Substack (jaehakim.substack.com).)

©2026 Jae-Ha Kim. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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