Nicdao, Charlotte

Season 4 of the Apple series has Charlotte Nicdao’s character branching out in new directions. The actress is doing likewise, including as a director.Set in a video game studio, the sitcom “Mythic Quest” is full of eccentric workaholics. But none are more frantic, frenzied or anxious than Poppy Li, played by Charlotte Nicdao.A prodigious but petulant engineer, Poppy is given to meltdowns and primal screams, many stemming from a war of wills with her egomaniacal, codependent business partner, Ian Grimm, played by Rob McElhenney. (McElhenney created the show with Charlie Day and Megan Ganz, who also work with him on “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.”)Over three seasons, Nicdao has viewed her character as everything from a “lovable underdog” to an unprintable descriptor. These days she’s looking favorably upon her geeky, gawky enfant terrible thanks to a paradigm shift in the fourth season, which debuted this week on Apple TV+. (Note the premiere episode is entitled “Boundaries.”)“There’s always this power imbalance between Poppy and Ian — like, who’s the queen, who’s the king?” Nicdao said. “This season, Poppy has got more power, there’s no question. But it’s not in the ways that you’d expect.”“Mythic Quest” is the first major American series for Nicdao, who grew up and still lives in Australia. Previously a classical pianist, singer and orchestral clarinetist, she started acting in high school productions and began her TV career at 17 on an Australian kids’ show. (Her father, Alfred Nicdao, is a well-known actor in Australia.)Nicdao with Rob McElhenney, a creator of the series who also plays her egomaniacal business partner at the video game company where they work.Patrick McElhenneyApple TV+We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. More