Teen Wolf Star Refused To Return For The Revival For A Controversial Reason

One of the stars of MTV's Teen Wolf is not returning for the revival and they've explained their controversial reason.

By Charlene Badasie | Published

This article is more than 2 years old

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Former Teen Wolf star, Arden Cho says she opted not to sign on for the revival movie after discovering she was offered less money than her co-stars. The Korean American actress made the revelation during a recent interview with The Cut where she confirmed that her white and/or male counterparts were being paid significantly more for the Paramount+ project.

teen wolf arden cho
Arden Cho in Teen Wolf

Arden Cho was the only actress of color among the four female series regulars at the center of the show. When asked about a Deadline report which stated she was only offered half the per-episode salary for Teen Wolf – The Movie, the 36-year-old confirmed it. “I think I was offered even less, she told the publication. She also insisted that whoever leaked the story was not in her corner, adding “I probably would’ve never shared it.”

The actress also acknowledged that being paid less than her white and/or male co-stars is not unique to her. Off the top of her head, Arden Cho said she could think of more than 10 Asian American actors who were paid significantly less than their counterparts. But she admitted that a lot of them accept that treatment because you don’t have a choice but to say no. “Sometimes you just need it [the job]. You’ve got bills to pay,” she explained. The actress added that she wasn’t saying no just for herself. She turned the role hoping that there will be more equality in the future.

Arden Cho joined Teen Wolf as a new student in the show’s third season. She portrayed a sword-wielding kitsune named Kira Yukimura. Viewers loved the character so much that she was promoted to series regular for seasons four and five. But she was later dropped for, what she believes, are race-based reasons. She told The Cut that she couldn’t believe there wasn’t room for Kira in the show anymore – especially since there was enough “room” for several new, all-white characters. So far, the studio has not responded to these allegations.

Arden Cho isn’t the only Teen Wolf star skipping the movie. As previously reported, the ever-popular Dylan O’Brien is also passing on the revival. But since the project is still in the early stages of development, that could change. Meanwhile, original series star Tyler Posey and eleven other regular and recurring cast members of the 2011 MTV series are returning for the reunion film. That included Crystal Reed, Holland Roden, Colton Haynes, and Shelley Hennig.

The Teen Wolf movie is the brainchild of series developer Jeff Davis, MTV Entertainment Studios, and MGM’s Orion Television. The story begins as the full moon rises in Beacon Hills. And with it, a terrifying evil emerges. Sensing the danger, the wolves howl – calling for banshees, were-coyotes, hellhounds, kitsunes (except for Arden Cho), and every other night-time shapeshifter to return. But only an alpha werewolf like Scott McCall (Tyler Posey), who is no longer a teenager, can gather new allies and reunite trusted friends to fight against the most powerful and deadly enemy they’ve ever faced.

Starring alongside the returning OG cast members are Orny Adams as Coach Bobby Finstock, Linden Ashby as Sheriff Noah Stilinski, JR Bourne as Chris Argent, Seth Gilliam as Dr. Alan Deaton, and Ryan Kelley as Deputy Jordan Parrish, Melissa Ponzio as Melissa McCall, and Dylan Sprayberry as Liam Dunbar. Although so many of the show’s alums are making a comeback, Arden Cho will still be missed.