| Jess Hong | |
| Birth Date: | 4 January 1997 |
| Occupation: | Actress |
| Years Active: | 2018–present |
| Known For: | 3 Body Problem |
Jess Hong (born 4 January 1997)[1] is a New Zealand actress of Chinese descent, known for her role as Jin Cheng in the Netflix series 3 Body Problem (2024).
Jess Hong was raised in Palmerston North in New Zealand, by her mother, an immigrant from Guangzhou, China. Her father is from Shanghai. She is the youngest of three sisters.[2]
She started taking drama classes at the age of 13, mainly to combat her shyness and social anxiety. After completing her secondary education, she moved to Wellington to study for three years at the national drama school, Toi Whakaari, graduating in 2019.[2] [3]
Hong moved to Auckland after graduation, undertaking casual work while auditioning for acting jobs.[2] She has appeared in a variety of stage productions throughout New Zealand, including several Shakespeare performances. On television she has appeared in the New Zealand shows The Brokenwood Mysteries, Inked, Creamerie, and My Life Is Murder.
Hong gained international recognition with a leading role in the Netflix series 3 Body Problem, released in 2024.[2] According to The Hollywood Reporter, Hong's character Jin Cheng, who is originally of Chinese descent, was rewritten to reflect her New Zealand background and accent.[4]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | The Brokenwood Mysteries | Maddy | 2 episodes | |
| 2021 | Inked | Aifei | Main cast | |
| 2021 | Creamerie | Wellness Worker | 3 episodes | |
| 2023 | My Life Is Murder | Sage | Episode: "Location, Location, Location" | |
| 2024 | 3 Body Problem | Jin Cheng | Main cast |
| 2018 | Rushes | Dancer | Circa Theatre, Wellington | |
| 2018 | Grand Opening | Party Girl | Civic Theatre, Auckland | |
| 2019 | Romeo and Juliet | Juliet | Pop Up Globe | |
| 2019 | Much Ado About Nothing | Hero/Ensemble | Pop Up Globe | |
| 2019 | An Organ of Soft Tissue | Prefrontal Cortex | The Basement Theatre, Auckland | |
| 2020 | Front Yard Festivals | Wahine | Te Pou Theater | |
| 2020 | 48 Nights on Hope Street | Nathan/Narrator | ASB Waterfront Theatre, Auckland | |
| 2021 | Duffy in Bubble Trouble | Scruffy | National tour | |
| 2022 | The First Prime-Time Asian Sitcom | Angela Xu | Q Theatre - Loft, Auckland |