Jess Khan-Lee on Mission: Impossible, Hotel Costiera, and a Career Without Limits

Whether she’s soaring across the big screen in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, chasing danger in Prime Video’s Hotel Costiera, or breathing life into characters through voice and motion capture, Jess Khan-Lee is an unstoppable force in motion. With a career that fuses precision, adrenaline, and artistry - from world dance stages to AAA games - Jess Khan-Lee is redefining what it means to be a modern screen performer. As she steps into her biggest year yet, LO’AMMI sat down with the multitalented actor, choreographer, martial artist, and overall adventure-seeker, to talk legacy, craft, and living without limits.

Film & Television

You’re joining one of the most legendary action franchises of all time in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. What was it like stepping into that universe and sharing the screen with such a powerhouse cast?

The scale of it was enormous, but the feeling on set was very intimate. I had nerves my first day as I had no idea what to expect, and I love Mission: Impossible so I had put a lot of pressure on myself. I felt a sense of responsibility.

My first time walking onto set for rehearsal Angela Bassett was walking beside me, and then Tom came over to introduce himself - like he needs an introduction! I kept thinking, this can't be real. My scenes featured a cast of tremendous actors who are so accomplished. In addition to Tom and Angela, there was Nick Offerman (The Last of Us, my god!), Janet McTeer, Mark Gatiss, Henry Czerny, Holt McCallany and Charles Parnell.

I tried to learn everything I could from them. It was easy because they are all so down to earth and would share their stories. Playing opposite Tom was a life highlight. He is a brilliant actor. What a body of work. His range, dedication, and focus is top. He's also a generous scene partner and always gives 100%, even when it's not his coverage. I also feel so fortunate to have been directed by McQ, who guided me and spent a lot of time teaching me about filmmaking.

You play two very different marines this year—one in Mission: Impossible and the other in the upcoming Prime Video series Costiera. How did you approach building these characters, and what makes each one stand out for you?

My character in Costiera is a pretty complicated character. She's dealing with some things and not in the best of ways. She's a bit of a lost wild child. I love her because she's brazen, impulsive, and reckless. But she's also a good person, and she values loyalty and friendship. It was really fun to have those layers to play with.

My character Sgt Rivera in M:I shares the same value of loyalty, but her motivations and actions are driven by her beliefs of what is right. She has a sense of duty and is much more controlled. The tone of both projects also affected how I approached the character. Sgt Rivera is M:I is serious, whilst I played with drama, comedy, and action with my character in Costiera.

There’s talk this might be the final Mission: Impossible film. What do you think fans can expect from this installment, and how does it feel to be part of a potential finale?

The fans can expect M:I to push the limits of whatever they think is possible. The stunts Tom does have never been done before, and I'm not convinced there is an actor who could ever do it again. There are also callbacks to all the Mission films, and characters who fans met decades ago find themselves pulled back into the story and woven in in such a satisfying way that it really feels full circle.

These are also characters who have long histories together, whether friends or adversaries, and to watch those relationships play out in a story where the stakes are so high is very emotional. I grew up as a Mission: Impossible fan, and a Tom Cruise fan, so for me to be part of The Final Reckoning is nothing short of a dream.

Filming Costiera on the Amalfi Coast sounds like a dream. Did the beauty and atmosphere of that location influence your performance or your connection to the story?

Filming on location brings an authenticity and realism to the story. I think it will add a beautiful dimension for the audience to appreciate Italy. It felt important to shoot there, with an Italian team. Being on location helped me live a bit more in my character's shoes, because I was really experiencing what she was experiencing. But I think it affected me personally more than my performance. The history, nature, the culture...just wonderful.

Gaming & Performance Capture

You’ve worked on major video games like Apex Legends and Directive 8020. What draws you to performance capture and voice work, and how does it challenge you in new ways compared to film?

It's the closest you can get to being a kid playing pretend again. You perform on an empty volume; there are no costumes, and sets are minimal at most - maybe a stack on boxes to resemble a spaceship or someone waving around pool noodles as a monster. Sometimes you get to see a pre-vis so you have an idea in your head of what it will look like after the CGI. It's pretty wild!

There's this freedom to it all, because you're surrounded by cameras and have a head mounted camera as well, so you don't have to be aware of the frame in the same way you do in film. Although after some time in those head mounts I'm dying to take them off! Maybe I have an odd shaped head. Voice work was a new challenge for me.

There's an art to expressing emotion through the use of voice, and a heightened intensity that's required. I close my eyes and listen back when I can, to see if I'm conveying the emotion I'm intending without the visual I still feel like there's a lot for me to learn.

Gamers know your voice from some iconic roles—how do you bring authenticity to a character when it's all about your voice and physicality, without being seen on camera?

I approach it the same way I do any character. At the heart of it is: Who is this character? What are their values? What is their circumstance? Where are they physically? What is their obstacle? What is their relationship to the other characters? What do they want? The answers inform the emotion and intention.

Then I also decide on where I want my voice to sit, considering the timbre, speed, speech patterns, and accent. Physicality comes naturally for me, with my background as a dancer. Dancers only use our bodies to convey character and emotional life.

Dance & Choreography

With a dance background as rich and varied as yours, from contemporary to lion dance and breakdance. How has that physical training shaped the way you take on action-heavy roles?

It's given me confidence because I have good body awareness and control. I've trained aerial and that made for an easy transition to working on wires. I also train in martial arts and am an avid rock climber, and both these skills have been an advantage when it comes to action as I have a foundation to work from.

I'm quick to pick up fight choreography and blocking, and am very keen! I'm always asking to do my own stunts. And even in moments where a I've had a double, I've had the stunt team train me in the stunt anyway so I can grow my skills. Except vehicles - I'll leave that to the professionals!

You’ve choreographed for Strictly Come Dancing, performed on world tours, and worked on major films like Matilda and Jingle Jangle. Which project stands out as a turning point in your dance career?

There are two moments that stand out for me. My first is the year I did Fame! The Musical & West Side Story, which were my first professional theatre jobs. They were significant because they marked the moment I knew this is what I'd always do, and validated that I could make it happen.

The other was Strictly Come Dancing, because it was my first time being on the creative side of a production of that scale, and one that is so beloved by UK audiences. Working on live television was also something I hadn't done before.

Physicality & Versatility

You’ve trained in everything from aerial work to Muay Thai to climbing. Have there been roles that forced you to stretch even further, or do you seek out opportunities that push your limits?

I'm admittedly a bit of an adrenaline junkie and I love training skills. I also don't like to be bad at anything so when I pick up something new I tend to get a bit hyper focused with it. Maybe that's the dancer in me. Perfection and all that. There's something in me that craves constant growth, and I think that's why I seek out ways to push my limits. There's no feeling like when I'm faced with something that makes me go, there's no way I can do that - and then I do it. It has made me realise how much limits are a mental game.

With such a wide-ranging career across acting, dance, gaming, and physical performance, what’s a creative space or skill you haven’t explored yet but would love to dive into?

I used to write but I drifted away from it a long while back. Recently I've felt the urge to go back to it, so that's the space I'm entering now. I love reading and always thought I'd write a novel one day.

Looking at everything you’ve accomplished so far - across film, dance, games, and beyond -what’s the message or legacy you hope to leave through your work?

It's less about the message or legacy than it is of the experience. The creative moment has always been the thing that has brought me fulfillment, joy, and has driven me. If I was concentrating on the legacy I think I would be missing the point of being an artist. I suppose the greatest thing that could come from that is if people enjoy and are moved by my work. That would make me happy.

Team Credits:

Photography by Joe Whitmore

Styling by Aartthie Mahakuperan

Styling assistance by Tilly Hopcraft

Hair and Makeup by Siân Duke