Hawaii Five-0's Katrina Law Q & A: Her Kick-Ass Character, Her Action-Hero Status, and Being the Five-0 Newbie

Katrina Law, best known for her formidable roles on Spartacus and Arrow, has joined Hawaii Five-0 as Quinn Liu, injecting fresh energy into the long-running CBS crime series. In this friendly and candid Q&A, Katrina shares how she landed the role, her experience joining an established cast, and what makes Quinn a unique addition to the Five-0 team. The article also offers a peek into Katrina's life off-camera and her thoughts on the show's supportive fanbase.

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1. Quinn Liu: The New Detective on Oahu

There's a fresh face on Oahu's legendary task force! Quinn Liu, played by Katrina Law, is the latest recruit on Hawaii Five-0—stepping in after Jerry Ortega's departure in Season 10. Although Quinn may not have found her niche as a military policeman, she's truly getting a second wind as a detective with Steve McGarrett's tight-knit team.

Katrina Law, whose previous success includes playing strong, fearless women, is excited about her new role. As she described it,

"I did a pilot for CBS that didn't get picked up. I think in general, they enjoyed my performance, and they asked if I wouldn't mind putting myself down on tape for Hawaii Five-0 because there was a new role coming up. And I did. So that's how I ended up getting linked up with Hawaii Five-0."

Quinn brings a new dynamic to the team, following the exit of Jorge Garcia's beloved Jerry, who left to write a book about conspiracy theories.

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2. Katrina's Journey to Five-0

Before taking on Quinn, Katrina was already familiar with Hawaii Five-0. She confessed to being a bit of a binge-watcher during her travels:

"I'd definitely watched a handful of episodes from a scattering of any one of the previous nine seasons during my travels around the world and in the U.S. When I was shooting Arrow. I'm not gonna lie, I would sit there and watch the Hawaii Five-0 and NCIS marathons. So I feel like I've watched quite a few episodes of Hawaii Five-0."

Her transition from viewer to cast member has been unexpectedly smooth. She credits the warm welcome from the cast—especially Alex O'Loughlin, who plays McGarrett—for making her feel at home. Katrina described the Five-0 cast as "a lovely ohana to be a part of," with "ohana" meaning "family" in Hawaiian—a perfect word for the show's famously close ensemble.

Fans, too, have embraced both Katrina and her character, offering support and positive feedback right from the start.

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3. What Makes Quinn Stand Out

So, who is Quinn Liu beneath the badge? Katrina is clear: Quinn is a "bad-ass chick" deeply committed to making a difference, but there's more to her than just a tough exterior.

"Quinn is definitely a bad-ass chick who is out there in the world to hopefully make a difference and do some good. But at the same time, the thing I enjoy most about her is that there is a very vulnerable side to her."

She's equally at home chasing down suspects or unwinding with a crossword and a glass of wine. Although little is known about her background after four episodes, Katrina teases that Quinn's backstory will be revealed gradually:

"I think it's going to be a slow burn. I think that's one of the wonderful things about being part of an ensemble cast is that there are so many stories to tell that you get to spread them out over episodes if not seasons. We'll start to learn about Quinn slowly."

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4. Fitting in with the Team

Quinn's role on the Five-0 squad is still evolving, but she's eager to prove herself alongside the veteran team members.

"Quinn loves being part of the Five-0 team. She's truly honored, and it's where she wants to be. She is in the process of proving herself to the team."

Katrina explains that Quinn is straightforward and practical, preferring to think through situations rather than fight her way out of them:

"She's more of a straight shooter. She does wear her emotions on her sleeve, but she's very pragmatic as well. She's a quick thinker. She's more of the type of person to talk her way in or out of a situation rather than get into a fight. Not to say she wouldn't throw down, but I think she would rather use her brain than her brawn."

Her comfort level at Five-0 has surpassed that in her military days, as she prefers fewer rules and more direct action:

"Yes, yes. She's more of a renegade. As much as she loves the rules and thinks that society needs them and that they should be applied, there are times when a little too much red tape is annoying to her."

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5. Life Beyond the Badge

Even though Katrina is known for action roles and "kick-ass" characters, she wouldn't mind trying something lighter in the future. When asked about switching things up with a romantic comedy, she playfully responded:

"That's what the Hallmark Channel is for. And yes, I do."

Currently, Katrina is deeply committed to her work on Hawaii Five-0 and her most important role—being a mom.

"That's a tricky question because, in my spare time, my all-consuming priority right now is my 10-month-old baby. I hang out with my baby, and I go to work. I completely love my work and my career, but I'm just as excited to go home and hang out with my baby. I kind of see that being my future for at least the next couple of years."

If time allows, she dreams of traveling again, this time with her daughter by her side. But for now, life is "full-time engrossed in Five-0 life."

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6. Editor's Note on Comments

In a quick aside, the article shares that the TV Fanatic comments system has changed. Now, readers must click a blue bar at the bottom to leave comments, with an option to use either Facebook or Disqus—making the platform more inclusive for everyone.

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Final Thoughts

Katrina Law's arrival as Quinn Liu brings both a new spark and relatable depth to Hawaii Five-0. As she settles into the Five-0 family—and her real-life juggling act as a new mom—fans have much to look forward to, both on-screen and beyond. If you haven't caught up, tune in Fridays to see how Quinn's story unfolds! 🌺