Martha Millan on portraying an undocumented Filipino in ‘The Cleaning Lady’
Martha Millan leads the Filipino cast of ‘The Cleaning Lady.’ Photo from marthamillannyc/Instagram
Fox’s hit crime drama “The Cleaning Lady” is officially returning for its fourth season on March 25.
The show, which follows the harrowing journey of Thony De La Rosa (Élodie Yung), a Cambodian Filipino doctor forced into a life of crime to save her son, has captivated audiences with its intense storytelling and deep exploration of the immigrant experience.
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Among the ensemble, Martha Millan (Fiona on “The Cleaning Lady”) remains a key figure, bringing Filipino representation to the show.
A Filipino Australian raised in Sydney, Millan plays Fiona De La Rosa, Thony’s devoted sister-in-law, whose undocumented status adds layers of hardship and sacrifice to her character’s journey.
In an exclusive interview with Inquirer.net USA, Millan shared how her Filipino heritage helped her portray Fiona with authenticity.
“Just growing up in Australia and watching my parents navigate certain situations many immigrants experienced – it was such a great example for me to find grace in many situations where they were challenged,” she explained.
Martha Millan plays Fiona De La Rosa (left), devoted sister-in-law of Thony De La Rosa, played by Elodie Yung (right), whose undocumented status adds layers of hardship and sacrifice to her character’s journey. Photo from marthamillannyc/Instagram
She also expressed her desire to showcase the fiery spirit of Filipino women, particularly inspired by her mother.
“Filipino women, especially my mother and I, are very spirited, very passionate women, so I really want to explore that,” she added.
When asked about her favorite part of playing Fiona, Millan highlighted the character’s strength as a single mother, a role she deeply admires and embraces.
Meanwhile, her character’s resilience and determination have made her a fan favorite, and she has been vocal about the importance of representing Southeast Asian stories on mainstream television.
