Since premiering on Apple TV+ in August, “Invasion” has quietly evolved into one of the streamer’s most ambitious and under-the-radar sci-fi dramas. From Academy Award nominee Simon Kinberg and Emmy nominee David Weil, the series offers a distinctly human perspective on an alien-invasion story, chronicling the collapse and resilience of civilization through interwoven narratives across continents. Each season has unfolded like a global mosaic, spanning Japan, Afghanistan, Oklahoma, and London, as humanity’s survival is told through the eyes of ordinary people confronting an extraordinary threat.
Now, as the series approaches its third season finale on October 24, the stakes have never been higher. This latest chapter unites the show’s previously scattered survivors on a shared mission to infiltrate the alien mothership and confront the ultimate form of the invaders. Returning cast members Golshifteh Farahani, Shioli Kutsuna, Shamier Anderson, India Brown, Shane Zaza, and Enver Gjokaj are joined by new series regular Erika Alexander, expanding the ensemble’s multicultural scope. With Kinberg and Weil’s cinematic vision and Alik Sakharov’s direction, “Invasion” continues to balance scale with emotion, grounding its spectacle in deeply personal stories of courage and connection.
For actress Shioli Kutsuna, the series marks a defining moment in her career. Western audiences may have first noticed her in small, mostly silent roles in global franchises like “Deadpool,” but “Invasion” gives her a platform to lead. As communications specialist Mitsuki Yamato, Kutsuna delivers a restrained yet riveting performance as a woman driven by loss and scientific obsession. Across three seasons, Mitsuki has transformed from a grieving engineer into one of humanity’s last bridges to understanding the alien threat, embodying the show’s tension between intellect and emotion.
Speaking with Awards Focus, Kutsuna reflects on how Mitsuki’s curiosity and vulnerability coexist. “Mitsuki is someone who’s always trying to connect, whether it’s with the aliens or with herself,” she says. “In season three, that desire becomes dangerous. She’s willing to go further than ever before.” Her performance underscores the series’ broader exploration of empathy, isolation, and the cost of discovery. Much of her work unfolds in silence, relying on expression and physicality to convey internal conflict — a creative challenge that has become a defining feature of her portrayal.
That quiet strength has emerged as one of “Invasion’s” most enduring qualities. As the aliens tighten their grip on Earth and humanity faces extinction, Mitsuki’s journey provides the emotional center of the chaos. Her story this season pushes the limits of science, faith, and identity, charting a path that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. “There’s something universal about fear and loss,” Kutsuna notes. “Those feelings don’t belong to one country or one language.”
As “Invasion” closes out its third season, Kutsuna’s performance stands as one of its emotional high points, capturing the show’s blend of intimacy and spectacle. Beneath the visual effects and global scale lies a story about human connection between cultures, species, life and what lies beyond. Ahead of the season finale, Awards Focus spoke with Shioli Kutsuna about Mitsuki’s evolution, her growing presence in international storytelling, and what it means to embody both sides of first contact.
Award Focus: Hi, Shioli. My understanding is that your career up until this point had been mostly Japanese productions in Japan. How did this opportunity for a big Apple TV+ show come about?
Shioli Kutsuna: I auditioned for it. There were multiple audition processes, but the unique thing was that I did it in both languages, Japanese and English. That’s how I got the part.
AF: Up until that point, did you feel like getting these kinds of international roles was difficult, or do you think the industry is changing to make opportunities like this more possible?
Kutsuna: Most of my career, like you mentioned, was in Japan. At that stage, I hadn’t been auditioning for very long, maybe around four years. I know it’s not an easy thing to book a role like this, but I’ve always been optimistic about the future. I don’t think I was auditioning long enough to really be able to assess that yet.
AF: We’re now in Season 3, but it feels like Season 1 was so long ago. How long have you been making this show?
Kutsuna: Oh my goodness. I think I started at the beginning of 2019, so that’s about six years.
AF: With streaming shows, you don’t always know if a show is being renewed. How do you manage your schedule around that uncertainty?
Kutsuna: I think I’ve been quite lucky. I had a six-season option with Apple, and I quickly learned after trying to take another project after Season 1 that it required a lot of processes. But even during the strike or COVID, things were happening back in Japan, so I was able to navigate doing other projects while quarantining or waiting for production to resume. I think I’ve been lucky that way.
AF: When you first read the scripts, what did you think? An alien invasion show—was it like anything you had done before?
Kutsuna: No, not at all. When you first hear about an alien invasion show, you feel like you’ve seen a million of them. But what I really liked about “Invasion” was that it focused on the characters more than the aliens. In the first season, people were shocked that they saw so few images of the aliens. Some wanted more, but the show is really about how humans are affected emotionally when things like that happen. It’s also very diverse, with four main characters from different backgrounds, ethnicities, and ages. I thought that was unique.
AF: It’s a very multicultural show, and each character tells a very different story. I feel like Season 1 for you was very much a love story. Can you talk about how your character has evolved through to Season 3?
Kutsuna: Honestly, Season 1 was one of the hardest experiences I’ve had taking on a character. It was very emotionally demanding, and I had limited time with my lover, Hinata (Rinki Kukuchi), so I had to prepare deeply. Then COVID happened, and we had a six-month break. I didn’t know if it would be six months or a year, and because the role was so emotional, I was scared to let go of those feelings even while quarantining. It was mentally draining.
When we returned, I was scared I wouldn’t have the same emotions. Season 2, though, was my favorite because it was her awakening—she has a sort of oneness experience and realizes something much bigger than herself. I’m into that kind of thing, so I was honored to represent that message.
Season 3 has been exciting because we finally got to interact as a full cast. Before, I’d met some actors while filming in the same country, but we never shared scenes. It finally felt like the family was coming together, and we were bringing all our crafts into one season.
AF: Many of your scenes are solo and your character connects with sounds, voices, or entities. What’s it like to perform those moments with minimal physical interaction or a green screen?
Kutsuna: Thank you for asking that. I’ve learned a lot of tricks along the way. My character is often alone, and production preparation has improved with each season. In Season 1, I had to react to a tennis ball, no guide at all. By Season 2, I had scenes with a liquid-like alien, and they used an LED screen for lighting and color reference, which really helped me see what it might look like.
In Season 3, there’s a new type of alien that moves along the ground, and I go on a journey with it. I worked with this amazing puppet actor named Keith, who specializes in playing aliens and creatures. He brought his own gadgets and gave me a lot of helpful cues to react to.
AF: When Season 1 premiered, people had mixed expectations some wanted more traditional “aliens running around” moments. What kind of audience reactions have stood out to you?
Kutsuna: People really love Mitsuki, and I’m thrilled. I’ve heard so many comments about how unique she is, and I think audiences hadn’t really seen an Asian female character like her before. I haven’t attended premieres or read many reviews, so I don’t know all the reactions, but the love for Mitsuki has been really meaningful.
AF: Before joining the show, what were your personal beliefs about aliens or life beyond Earth?
Kutsuna: I believe there must be other beings out there—you never know if you’re one of them. I also believe in spirituality. Japan isn’t a religious country, but we’re very spiritual in subtle ways. We have many rituals and daily traditions that reflect that, even if we don’t label them as spiritual. I realized how unique that was while shooting Season 2. Like Mitsuki, I went on a parallel journey of self-discovery and awareness.
AF: Has your perspective on spirituality or alien life changed since starting the show?
Kutsuna: I’m not sure the purpose of the aliens has been fully revealed yet, so I can’t say for sure. But through my character, I’ve come to see the beauty in all living things being connected. There’s always something higher than what we perceive—something we can feel but not necessarily access. That’s something Mitsuki has taught me.
AF: Mitsuki has gone through profound loss and transformation. What aspects of her journey challenge or fulfill you the most as an actor?
Kutsuna: Definitely the emotional connections with other actors. Doing solo scenes is fun, but the beauty of acting is the unexpected energy you share with someone else. Your co-star can take you somewhere new, and that exchange is so raw and alive. It’s always magical when that happens, no matter how long you’ve been acting.
AF: There’s a quiet yet powerful energy in Mitsuki that also feels similar to your own. What parts of her do you relate to most and what’s least like you?
Kutsuna: I do feel like I share some of her calm, contained energy. What’s different is that I’m not as badass as her, and I’m terrible with numbers. That was tough in Season 1 because I had to say all these technical lines like “connect A5127,” and I was just thinking, “Oh my God, I’m not built for this.”
AF: You grew up speaking English and Japanese, but in Season 1 your lines were mostly in Japanese. Is it challenging to switch between both languages on set?
Kutsuna: Not really. At first, I had to find the balance for how Mitsuki would sound in English. I was born and raised in Australia, so I have a mild Australian accent. I sent voice memos to the director to figure out how strong the Japanese accent should be and keep it consistent. There’s no coach for that kind of accent, so I practiced a lot. By Season 3, it felt natural.
AF: Without spoiling anything, there’s a scene this season where Mitsuki unleashes a lot of rage. How do you prepare for something like that, and is it hard to shake off afterward?
Kutsuna: Because she’s usually so contained, it takes a real push to get her to that breaking point. It requires a lot of prep work. It’s always tiring, though. You welcome a different kind of energy when performing those scenes, and afterward, you do feel a bit empty. Everyone has their own way to decompress. For me, I might have a small drink or just try to shift my energy.
AF: For people who haven’t seen “Invasion,” how would you describe it and encourage them to watch?
Kutsuna: I’d say it’s a very character-driven show with a multicultural cast. You’ll find at least one character you can relate to and follow on their journey. It reflects the anxieties we face in the real world, and I think it can entertain you or maybe even bring some comfort and realization.
AF: Thank you so much, Shioli, and good luck with the rest of the season.
Kutsuna: Thank you. It was so nice to meet you.