Actress Lisa Ambalavanar talks about bringing the DC Comics character Jinx to life in Titans season 4 after making her debut in episode 3. After a long hiatus period, Titans season 4 is finally into the swing of things as part 1 is currently running on HBO Max. Following their adventures in Gotham City during season 3, Titans season 4 takes the heroes right back into the realm of the supernatural, with Brother Blood, Mother Mayhem, and the Church of Blood as this year's main antagonists.
One of the new characters to debut in Titans season 4 is Jinx, who is better known as a supervillain in the DC Comics world. Played by The A-List's Ambalavanar, Jinx debuted in Titans season 4, episode 3, which was fittingly enough titled after the character. "Jinx" establishes Dick Grayson revealing to Kory Anders that he knows a magic user who may be able to help them with their latest threat. However, things don't go exactly as Nightwing had hoped, and Jinx puts the Titans leader through some chaos. With Titans' Jinx set to recur throughout season 4, viewers have only scratched the surface of the DC character.
Screen Rant recently had the honor of chatting with Jinx herself to break down her entry into the Titans series as one of the new recruits this season. Throughout the interview, Ambalavanar went into depth about booking the role, the long process of getting Jinx's costume together with the super-suits team, and also exploring the complicated history between her and Nightwing. The Titans star also teases what's to come for Jinx in upcoming episodes, both in part 1 and part 2 of season 4.
Lisa Ambalavanar Breaks Down Jinx In Titans Season 4
Screen Rant: Was DC Comics something that you were already familiar with before you booked the show?
Lisa Ambalavanar: Yes, definitely. I think it's hard these days not to be familiar with it. It has such a big presence now, thanks to all the movies and TV shows. I didn't really grow up with comic books; it just wasn't ever something that I was exposed to. But I've always loved the screen content that they've put out, and I had watched and enjoyed Titans before getting the role.
When I did get the role, I then started delving into the comic book world. I now have my own little comic book collection, and I have a lot of the ones that Jinx is in. I really like that side of it now.
I have heard from other actors that, when they joined comic book shows, they get sent these massive loads of comics. Did that happen for you when you got the gig?
Lisa Ambalavanar: No! You know what? Because I was new to the show, I was scared to ask! [laughs] I didn't want to be that person who was like, 'Can I have some stuff, please?' I went out and bought a load myself and did a lot of research online. There were a lot of really helpful websites that are like encyclopedias, with the amount of stuff and information that they've got on which comic books Jinx is in, so I knew which ones to buy. It was really, really helpful.
When you auditioned for the show, did you know it was for Jinx, or was it a secret casting call?
Lisa Ambalavanar: No, I knew it was for Jinx. But there was very little other information. I auditioned by doing self-tapes and not zoom auditions, so I didn't get a chance to ask any questions. There was no person to talk to. At that point, I knew of both versions of Jinx, but I didn't know which one they wanted or which one they were going for. I had to find my own way with the little information that they gave me.
They liked what I did, but it wasn't until I got the job that I asked, 'What are you after? What exactly do you want? Which version are we going for? What are you doing?'
In the comics, Jinx's bald. When you got the job, did you think, 'Am I going to have to shave my head or wear a bald cap?' Or did they tell you early that this Jinx will have hair?
Lisa Ambalavanar: Usually, when you do an audition like that or go through a process where there are any changes to your appearance, especially big ones like that, they have to disclose if they want you to shave your head. That can be quite a big thing for an actor to do, and it's going to affect other jobs afterward, so they disclose that in the audition process. They didn't do that, so I was like, 'I don't think they want that.'
But if they wanted it, if it was for enough episodes and there was a big enough reason to do it, then I would do it. I did at one point ask, 'Are we doing the shaved head thing?' And they said, 'No, we're not going to do that.' There are reasons why, but to go into it more than that would be spoilers! [laughs]
When you started researching Jinx, what was it that you immediately loved about this character?
Lisa Ambalavanar: I already knew of Teen Titans and Teen Titans Go's Jinx. I've always loved her because she's just really fun and cheeky. I knew that if they wanted to go down that road, that would be really fun to play. I was excited from the get-go. I didn't really need to research too much about that version of her, just about the comic book version because I was less familiar with that version. I found it very interesting. There's a real progression in her costume, for a start! Her costume changes a lot from when she was first introduced back in the 80s.
She changes a lot, but she's quite stoic and doesn't say much. We definitely thought there was enough brooding on Titans. There's enough moodiness, we don't need any more of that. [Laughs] Let's bring at least a bit of that cheekiness to it. For the comic book purists, I don't want people to think that we have completely abandoned the comic book take on Jinx at all. Because we haven't; we've really had her in mind and tried to honor her as much as possible. I've learned all of her history; everything that's mentioned about her background and how she was taught English telepathically. We were very aware of and have really tried to respect both versions.
I love what you say about bringing a little bit of the lighter aspects to the show because there has been a lot of brooding! Jinx was a nice breath of fresh air because you come in very big. They alluded a lot to Dick and Jinx's history, but did the writers lay out their backstory in the show for you, or do you only know bits and pieces?
Lisa Ambalavanar: No, they didn't lay anything out for us. Brenton [Thwaites, who plays Nightwing] and I had a lot of fun coming up with stuff, and it was my one of my favorite elements of it. If there was any chance of it at any point, it would be so much fun to explore. Because we did the same thing when we first read it, we were like, 'Oh, what did happen between them? What happened in Gotham? Why did Jinx end up in prison after that?' We were like, 'This would be so cool to explore and play out at some point.'
But Brenton and I came up with some ideas for ourselves that I'm not going to say, just in case something ever is written. We could be very, very wrong. But it was a really fun thing. In the car scene where we have that conversation, we did a few versions where we actually improved that. I haven't seen the episode yet, so I don't actually know what made it in, but what I will say is that we had fun filming that, and we played around a little bit.
Dick's very much the dad of the show, while Jinx brings chaos that is just so entertaining to watch. Because Dick is just like, 'What else do I have to put up with?' How was it coming into this group of actors as the new kid, especially when you've been watching the show?
Lisa Ambalavanar: It was quite a slow introduction in a really good way. Because in my first episode, which was episode 3, I was mainly working with Brenton, so I got a really good chance to get to know him. We hung out a little bit outside of work, and we got on really well. Then after that, I started meeting and working with other members of the team. Luckily, I got on really well with everybody. I love everybody. A lot of them I've stayed in contact with; they're a really, really nice group that I felt like I gelled well with. I'm pretty sure that they felt like I gelled well with them as well.
But it was quite nice that I didn't meet everybody all at once. 'Here you go, work with everybody! You're new, everyone else knows each other!' It wasn't like that at all. It was first working with Brenton, then a few scenes with Brenton and Anna [Diop, who plays Starfire.] Then I was introduced to the whole team, so it was nice to build it up slowly and really work on those relationships. They really are a lovely cast.
It feels like maybe we should keep her on the team. You fit in very well. Is that what you were feeling too? Can you tease if she's a team player, or is this something temporary for her?
Lisa Ambalavanar: I really don't think I can without giving a spoiler! I think she's enjoying the team dynamic more than she thought she was going to. She grows to enjoy it and realize that it's quite nice having a family because, in our version of Jinx, she's been working on her own since the whole thing with Dick and Gotham. Other than that, I don't really think I can say anything without giving stuff away.
When I was doing research about Jinx, I read about her connection to the Fearsome Five. We've seen several members on Titans already. Do you think there's any chance that team might come to fruition at some point? What can you say about that?
Lisa Ambalavanar: I would personally love that. I know there are other people involved in both the Titans cast and production who would also love that to happen. It's definitely something that we've talked about. But as with any show, the future is uncertain, so you don't get your hopes up too much. Because who knows if it's going to continue? But absolutely, it would be amazing to have us come together and actually show the Fearsome Five on TV.
I want to talk about your costume. We haven't seen it on screen at this point, but it looks phenomenal. Can you talk about that experience? Was this the first time you were fitted for a superhero suit?
Lisa Ambalavanar: Yeah, absolutely. It was a long process, and it was very, very detailed. LJ [Laura Jean Shannon] and her team of LJ Super Suits are the masters of what they do, and it was genuinely an honor to be working with them. Think about the amount of people; the amount of bodies that they've fitted super suits for on the show!
Around the time that they were filming, they had just done The Boys season 3, which is another incredible show. I was thinking 'Oh my god, she's just worked with Jensen Ackles [who plays Soldier Boy on The Boys.] Here she is, fitting me!' It was a really, really cool experience, and they really do take a lot of care with what they do. Every single detail is as perfect as they can possibly make it.
We had a lot of fittings, and there were long, long hours. But the result is so worth it. They're not the most comfortable thing to wear. I don't think any of them are. But yeah, it looks incredible, and there's something that happens to you when you're in a suit that makes you hold yourself in a certain way. You feel very much like the character, and they're all so well designed for what the character is able to do.
For example, Gar's suit this season has been made specifically for him to be able to move really well and do the things that Ryan [Potter who plays Beast Boy] needs to be able to do in it. Mine was designed very much with magic in mind and being able to portray the right kind of images and things with my arms and hands. There was so much that went into it, and it was such a cool process to be a part of.
How many iterations did it go through until you guys found the final one?
Lisa Ambalavanar: I'm not sure how many designs there were before I came in. But once I was involved, they started fitting it to me, and the design stayed the same as the concept art. What it was was getting details of how it fits my body or what exact color of material to use. They would have different swatches of colors and, where different bits of armor should be placed, how it should fit, and the sizes of gems. There are so many details to it, like the length of the skirt, that had to be worked out. The height of boots and where they would fall; where the cutouts would be. The design stayed the same, but then there were a lot of those little details that all needed sorting.
It definitely looks very mythical, almost from ancient times. But there's also something supernatural and otherworldly about it. I'm a huge fan of LJ and her team.
Lisa Ambalavanar: It's so cool, and she has a lovely team as well. They're very easy and friendly to work with. They were actually my first introduction to Titans. They were the first people that I'd met before I started filming. Because you have to get your clothes ready for when you start filming. The first thing that I did was super suit fitting, so they looked after me and made me feel welcome. They were lovely.
One of the things I love during Jinx's arc is the supernatural and magical aspects, which is a part of the DC Universe that we don't get to see a lot in live-action. Can you talk about the deeper aspects of the magical layers in Titans season 4, from how some fear it to how Jinx looks at it?
Lisa Ambalavanar: Yeah, I think so. I think the people who are very aware of the comics know that there's the story of Superman and magic. They probably will know that [magic] is one of the things that Superman is a bit more powerless towards and doesn't understand. But for those who don't, it was really nice to explore that and explain that to them. And to help it make sense in people's minds a little bit. Like, 'Hang on a minute. Connor is supposed to be so powerful. How is this happening? How is Mother Mayhem defeating him here?' It was one of those moments to be able to go, 'This is why.'
With part 1 almost being done airing, what can you tease about Jinx's role in part 2? What can fans look forward to for Jinx?
Lisa Ambalavanar: I can't speak much about part 2. But what I can say about the last episode of part 1 is that she is pretty instrumental in what's going to happen. She has maybe a surprising part to play in the part 1 finale! [laughs]
OK, I will take that! Outside of Titans, what are you currently working on that you can talk about?
Lisa Ambalavanar: In my career, I like to mix between stage and screen. At the moment, I am actually doing theater in the UK, so not really anything that anyone in the US can see. But who knows? After that, this job finishes at the end of January. Then we'll see. I hope to be back on people's TV screens.
Maybe Titans season 5?
Lisa Ambalavanar: Maybe season 5!
Assuming Jinx's still alive by the time we get to the end of Titans season 4!
Lisa Ambalavanar: There probably will be some casualties. It may or may not be me! They are pretty powerful, aren't they? Brother Blood and Mother Mayhem! [laughs]
I love how you say that so casually. Are you allowed to tease when we will see Jinx suit up, or is that a secret for now?
Lisa Ambalavanar: Probably not! [laughs]
Thank you so much for your time; I look forward to seeing you finally get to suit up and see what else Jinx will be up to in the season. Hopefully, we will chat in the future, whether with the Fearsome Five or as part of the Titans in season 5!
Lisa Ambalavanar: Amazing, thank you so much!
About Titans Season 4
Having saved Gotham, the Titans hit the road to head back to San Francisco. But after a stop in Metropolis, they find themselves in the crosshairs of a supernatural cult with powers unlike anything they've faced before.
Check out our Titans season 4 interview with showrunner Greg Walker as well.
Titans season 4, part 1, releases new episodes weekly on HBO Max through December 1.