Ella Jay Basco
‘Birds of Prey’ star Ella Jay Basco stops by HollywoodLife’s New York City portrait studio. The actress made her feature film debut in the Margot Robbie-led movie, released on Feb. 7, 2020. In the film, Ella plays Cassandra Cain, an expert martial artist while simultaneously mute and very limited social skills. In Cassandra’s DC Comics storyline, she was deprived of speech and human contact during her childhood as conditioning to become the world’s greatest assassin and was the daughter of David Cain and Lady Shiva. However, in Birds Of Prey, that storyline was changed and Ella’s Cassandra is a twelve-year-old pickpocket who lives under the care of neglectful foster parents. She steals and swallows a diamond which contains codes for the family fortune of the Bertinelli mafia, leading Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) to keep tabs on her, and eventually form a bond.
Click through our EXCLUSIVE gallery for photos of Ella Jay Basco!
On Working With Margot Robbie
“The scenes that we had together, I definitely saw her switch between hats of being a producer and an actor, and as a coworker of hers, she was a great resource to ask questions, and it felt super comfortable and safe.”
On The Character Of Cassandra Cain
“Cassandra Cain is an outlaw. She’s a little street kid. She knows her way around Gotham, but she doesn’t really know who she is necessarily. I mean, she’s really misguided because she doesn’t really have any parents, she’s an orphan. But at the same time, she has to put on this thick stand and show that she’s independent and can handle herself.”
On The Incredible Group Of Women In ‘Birds Of Prey’
“It was really inspiring. They, honestly, helped me grow as an actor and they’re super inspiring. They definitely taught me how to be in the industry and really made my first experience the best experience it could possibly be.”
On Villains vs. Heroes
“I think it’s definitely a little more realistic and a little more raw that way because we’re not all perfect, and I think we definitely do have our flaws, and we’re pretty imperfectly perfect at the same time. all of these characters are so unique in their own ways and have these very key characteristics, and I think Harley is definitely an antihero. She’s good and bad, which makes her so much more complex.”
On Continuing Cassandra Cain’s Story
“I would love that. I’m not ready to let go of Cassandra Cain, and I think Harley and Cass would be super fun to play again. It’s interesting to watch Margot, and I’d love to work with her again.”
Her Musical Background
Ella is also a singer/songwriter, trained dancer and accomplished musician playing the guitar, piano and ukulele.
Her Family
Ella Jay Basco was born in Los Angeles to a Korean mother and Filipino father. She is the second of four children. She is the niece of actors Dion and Dante Basco.
Ella Jay Basco
Ella’s other credits include Veep, Grey’s Anatomy, and Teachers.
