Tati Gabrielle on Bringing Jade to Life in Mortal Kombat II: A Lifelong Dream Realized

Tati Gabrielle is no stranger to iconic video game adaptations. From Uncharted to The Last of Us, her career has been defined by bringing beloved characters to life on screen. Now, she adds another franchise to her resume with Mortal Kombat II, stepping into the role of Jade—a character she has adored since childhood.

"I was a Mortal Kombat fan growing up and my sister was a really big Mortal Kombat fan," Gabrielle told TheWrap. "She’s 13 years older than me, born in the ’80s, very much a ’90s kid. She introduced me to Mortal Kombat and Jade was always my character I played as because she was the only one that looked like me, so I was able to see a lot of myself in her."

Gabrielle’s journey to the big screen as Jade is deeply personal. She emphasized the importance of respecting the franchise’s legacy while introducing a fresh interpretation for both longtime fans and newcomers.

"We’re presenting this thing that is beloved by fans, but it’s still a new version of it; it’s a version of it people haven’t seen. So I just knew that there’s a respect that needs to be given to these fans—they’re the reason why this is being made. There’s a nostalgia that’s owed to them," she explained. "But we also have to remember, as humans, we don’t know what we love until we’ve seen it for the first time. For me, I know I loved Jade as a kid, so I know that I’m going to honor that to the best of my ability. So, hopefully, that feeling will transfer to the fans."

From Martial Arts to the Big Screen

Gabrielle’s filmography includes You, The 100, Kaleidoscope, and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, showcasing her talent for stunt work as a black belt in karate. Her martial arts background played a pivotal role in landing the role of Jade, though it took her stunt coordinator by surprise.

"I started doing martial arts very young. The stunt team, our stunt coordinator did not know that I had a martial arts background until I was fully cast. He was prepared to have my stunt double do most of the things," she recalled. "I remember we got into a friendly argument one day because he wouldn’t let me do some of the stunts that I really wanted to do. He was like, ‘Tati, I’m sorry, I’m just not used to an actress wanting to do her own stunts, but I’ll get used to it.’"

Training for the role was intense, particularly for the Bo staff sequences. Gabrielle had to adapt her skills from Japanese martial arts to a Chinese style, adding another layer of challenge to her preparation.

"I trained my whole life for this, particularly with the Bo staff. Though, I did have to learn a Chinese style for this, where previously I was familiar with Japanese, so that was quite the learning curve."

Representation and Legacy

Gabrielle is proud to bring Jade to life, a character who holds significance for many fans, especially those who see themselves reflected in her. Jade first appeared in Mortal Kombat II (1993) and became playable in Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 (1995).

"My sensei introduced us very young to Bruce Lee and Jet Li. I remember watching Colombiana, seeing Zoe Saldaña—again, it was the first time that I could see myself in a character," she shared. "Her being a strong, capable woman of color resonated with me, and I hope Jade does the same for others."

Gabrielle’s portrayal of Jade at the Mortal Kombat II European Fan Event at BFI Imax Waterloo on April 30, 2026, in London, further cemented her connection to the role. With her lifelong passion for the franchise and dedication to authenticity, Gabrielle is poised to leave a lasting impact on both gamers and moviegoers alike.