Shannon Kook (born Shannon Xiao Lóng Kook-Chun; 9 February 1987) is a South African actor.[1] He is best known for his roles in the television series Degrassi: The Next Generation (2010–2011), Carmilla (2015–2016), Shadowhunters (2017), and The 100 (2018–2020), as well as his role as Drew Thomas in the horror franchise The Conjuring Universe (2013–2021).

Shannon Kook
Kook in 2016
Born
Shannon Xiao Lóng Kook-Chun

(1987-02-09) 9 February 1987 (age 37)
Other namesShannon Kook-Chun
Citizenship
  • South African
EducationNational Theatre School of Canada
OccupationActor
Years active2009–present

Early life edit

Kook-Chun was born in Johannesburg, South Africa to a Mauritian father of Chinese descent and a South African mother of Cape Coloured descent.[1][2] He then moved to Montreal in order to attend the National Theatre School of Canada.[3]

Career edit

Kook's first on screen role was in the Canadian television series Being Erica in 2009. He gained widespread popularity for his role as Zane Park on Degrassi: The Next Generation in 2010.[4]

In 2014, Kook, Alexandre Landry, Sophie Desmarais, and Julia Sarah Stone, were chosen for the Toronto International Film Festival's Rising Stars initiative, an annual distinction that spotlights four up and coming Canadian actors to talent developers and filmmakers at the festival.[5][6]

Between 2015 and 2016, Kook starred in the popular web series Carmilla.[7] In 2017, he was featured in the web series Running With Violet. That same year, he appeared in the Shadowhunters series as Duncan.[8]

In January 2018, it was announced that Kook has been cast as a mysterious new guest star, Lucas, on the fifth season of The CW's The 100.[9] This was revealed to be a red herring by series showrunner Jason Rothenberg.[10] Kook's role was later revealed as Jordan Jasper Green, the son of Monty Green and Harper McIntyre.[2] Kook had originally auditioned for the role of Finn Collins and Monty Green.[11] Kook returned as a series regular in season six and seven.

In 2023, Kook was cast as Tony Swan in season two of Amazon Prime's action crime series Reacher.[12]

Personal life edit

Kook resides in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.[13]

Filmography edit

Film edit

Year Title Role Notes
2010 Verona Xan
2012 Requiem for Romance Yun Voice role
Hunting Season Jason
2013 The Conjuring Drew Thomas
Empire of Dirt Angel
Hunting Season Jason
2014 The Dependables Vic Skinner Aka Pride of Lions
Dirty Singles Ian
2015 Dark Places Young Trey Teepano
A Christmas Horror Story Dylan
2016 The Conjuring 2 Drew Thomas
2017 Man Eater Spencer
Sorry for Your Loss Tyler Short film
2019 Goliath Dylan Also producer
2021 The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It Drew Thomas
2023 King of Killers Ren Hiro Post-production

Television edit

Year Title Role Notes
2009 Being Erica Kendrick Kwan Episode: "Cultural Revolution"
The Border Yuan Doa Episode: "Kiss and Cry"
Cra$h & Burn Benny Episode: "The Boss is Coming"
2010 Durham County David Cho 5 episodes
Aaron Stone Grudge 2 episodes
2010–2011 Degrassi: The Next Generation Zane Park Main role
Baxter Deven Phillips 10 episodes
2011 Rookie Blue Pete Sun Episode: "God's Good Grace"
2012 XIII: The Series Victor Gong 2 episodes
2013 Holidaze Karl Johnson Television film
2015–2016 Carmilla Theo Straka 6 episodes
2016 Private Eyes Jay Lee Episode: "Karaoke Confidential"
19-2 Khoa Episode: "Bitch"
Beauty and the Beast Jamal Episode: "Something's Gotta Give"
2017 Incorporated Commander Tobias 2 episodes
Thornwood Heights Jamie Chen Episode: "Deadly Secrets by the Lake"
Running With Violet Stewart 5 episodes
Shadowhunters Duncan 3 episodes
2018–2020 The 100 Jordan Green 19 episodes
2019 Impulse Wesley Kido 2 episodes
2020 Woke Ziggy 2 episodes
Rising Suns Jr Officer Chen 3 episodes
2021 Nancy Drew Grant 5 episodes
The Mysterious Benedict Society Mr. Oshiro 3 episodes
2022 A Big Fat Family Christmas Henry Television film
2023–present Reacher Tony Swan

Awards and nominations edit

Year Award Category Nominated work Result Notes Ref.
2014 Toronto International Film and Video Awards TIFF Rising Stars Won [5]
2018 Canada Shorts Film Festival Merit Award Sorry for Your Loss Won [14]
2019 Forest City Film Festival Best Feature Film Goliath Nominated Shared with Luke Villemaire, Nathan Dharamshi, and Madelyn Pilon [15]

References edit

  1. ^ a b Langford, Anthony D. (17 August 2010). "From "DeGrassi" to "Verona": Shannon Kook-Chun on Playing Gay, Fitting in and More!". LogoTV. TheBacklot.com. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  2. ^ a b Lee, Jess (20 April 2019). "The 100 star says he's turned down roles because of Asian stereotypes". Digital Spy. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  3. ^ "An Evening With Degrassi's Shannon Kook-Chun". ChicagoTalks. Archived from the original on 25 December 2010. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
  4. ^ Cotter, Padraig (24 September 2022). "Shannon Kook Movie & TV Shows: Where You Know The Conjuring 3 Star". ScreenRant. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  5. ^ a b Ahearn, Victoria (31 August 2014). "Shannon Kook named TIFF's 'rising star'". CTVNews. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  6. ^ Brown, Phil (7 September 2014). "Two rising stars get a boost from TIFF". Toronto Star. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  7. ^ Carmilla | Periscope | Nicole Stamp & Shannon Kook #Shacole. KindaTV. 18 September 2015. Archived from the original on 8 September 2016. Retrieved 17 April 2022 – via YouTube.
  8. ^ Davies, Megan (22 January 2018). "Shadowhunters actor set to star in The 100 s5 finale". Digital Spy. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  9. ^ Petski, Denise (19 January 2018). "'The 100': Shannon Kook To Guest Star As Mystery Character In Season 5 Finale". Deadline. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  10. ^ Rothenberg, Jason [@JRothenbergTV] (8 August 2018). "LUCAS was a dummy name to throw you off the scent! Meet Jordan Jasper Green @SHANNONKOOK #the100 #FINALE" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 9 May 2021. Retrieved 17 April 2022 – via Twitter.
  11. ^ "BELLO WATCH: SHANNON KOOK – BELLO Mag". 10 May 2019. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  12. ^ Nebens, Richard (15 December 2023). "Reacher Season 2: All 15 Actors Who Appear In Main Cast (Photos)". The Direct. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  13. ^ Lee, Jess (20 April 2019). "The 100 star says he's turned down roles because of Asian stereotypes". Digital Spy. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  14. ^ "Canada Shorts Film Festival (2023)". IMDb. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  15. ^ "Forest City Film Festival (2023)". IMDb. Retrieved 22 March 2024.

External links edit