Taiwan-born newcomer Esther Chen managed to break free from the type-casting and land a role not typically given to an Asian. Provided to China Daily

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While Asian actors tend to be cast in roles that fit the Asian stereotype on American TV, Taiwan-born newcomer Esther Chen managed to break free from the type-casting and land a role not typically given to an Asian.

Chen just made her television debut in the US as a police officer in the crime series Redrum, (which is "murder" spelled backwards), on Investigation Discovery channel.

"For police officers, I thought perhaps they would go for white people. So I didn't really think I had a chance," said Chen.

Before auditioning for Redrum, Chen was very insecure about her looks - not about whether or not she was pretty, but rather whether she fit the Asian stereotype.

"When I first started, I was extremely concerned that I would be hard to cast because I don't look very Chinese," said Chen, who is often mistaken for a Latino mixed blood for her relatively darker skins and big eyes.