Syfy's zombie-themed dramatic action and horror show Z Nation burst on to a scene already packed with zombie stories in movies, video games, comics and TV. But the bloody and dark series was able to give a surprisingly fresh take on the concept, featuring plenty imaginative versions of the undead, as its strong crew of characters (one of whom is the only known survivor of a zombie bite) makes their way across the country three years after a zombie apocalypse.     

One part of that dynamic cast is Pisay Pao, who plays Cassandra, the former cannibal and survivor that the group picks up in Philadelphia. The part is Pao's first major television role, which she landed after three different auditions. It was a process the Thailand-born actress described as "incredibly stressful" because she was traveling during the casting process so her agent kept her updated via email and phone calls. But she got the part and her character even managed to stay alive into the next season (no small feat for a zombie show)...sort of.

Slight Spoilers: Heading into Season two, Cassandra is transitioning into a zombie state thanks to Murphy (Keith Allan) biting her at the end of season one as she was dying and seemingly giving her a human-zombie hybrid status. According to Pao, fans will "find out where she is in her human/zombie state" more fully in the new season.

Enstars recently got the chance to catch up with Pao right just before the Z Nation's season premiere and chat about her alluring character, life on set and more.

ENSTARS: How was learning you got cast for Z Nation?
Pisay Pao: I remember I went from New Zealand to Thailand and by the time I landed in Thailand I was just so tired...I remember my phone ringing...Sure enough it was my agent telling me I got the role...I didn't believe her until I got the call from Karl [Schaefer] who created the show. He called and congratulated me. Then I was like, "Okay, this is real now." Up until that point it wasn't real for me.

Will Season 2 pick up right where Season one left off?
Absolutely! Yeah, we really hit the ground running. So expect a lot of action. It's action-packed and really exciting! I'm doing a lot of my own stunts. I'm so bruised all over the place, but I'm not complaining. It's definitely been a great experience doing my own stunts. I love doing my own stunts! I think my favorite was being tied up to a car. Let's just say that. That was really fun.

Is the focus of Season two still about getting Murphy to that lab in California or is there a shift in the overall storyline?
I think the answer is both. With the group of survivors they want to get Murphy to some kind of lab, but it is unknown if the lab in California still exists...Murphy has a totally different idea and objective though. So there are other storylines that will result.

Will there be any romance for Cassandra?
Oh wow! Maybe. Maybe, but it's up to interpretation of what people's idea of romance is. I would say keep a very, very, very, very open mind. I get that question a lot as it pertains to Cassandra and 10K [Nat Zang]. Keep in mind we're in an apocalypse, his character has never seen porn and the last guy she was with she ate for dinner so their ideas of romance are probably a little bit different than long walks on the beach and that sort of thing. It doesn't mean that there isn't some sort of connection.

Describe Season two for us based on what you've filmed so far.
It's for sure action-packed. It's unpredictable. Genius, witty, funny and gory. It's all going to happen fast. We're not going to keep the audience waiting.

Now, switching gears a bit, we know you like to tweet about food and even share photos so what is your favorite meal?
Oh I like to eat! It has been awhile since I've been home, but anything my mom makes. She's a great cook. My family is from Cambodia and she always made everything from scratch...She's just a phenomenal cook. Just any homemade food is my favorite. It's what I'm missing right now. I just love food though. I'll eat just about anything. Oh, fun fact, I didn't eat a Twinkie in Episode 3 of Season 1. Everyone else did, but me. Oh and poor Nat was vegetarian at the time and didn't realize Twinkies aren't vegetarian so when he realized it he had already eaten about six Twinkies or maybe a few less, but still he ate them.

Do you like to cook?
I do. I love, love, love to cook. I think because my mom is such a great cook, I grew up with an appreciation for good food. I dated an Italian chef for a period of time, which was not bad at all. It was bad for my waistline, but otherwise really great. I love to cook. My favorite things to cook are pasta and noodles.

Since it is summer, what is your go-to dish?
I'd say anything with seafood! Seafood with pasta or seafood and salad are my faves. I love making exciting salads with watermelon or peaches. Oh and ice cream. That's not really a dish though. It's dessert, but let's count it as a summer dish.

On the topic of desserts, are you a fan of chocolate?
I am! I do love chocolate! I love dark chocolate...I'm a huge dark chocolate fan. Anything with dried fruit or nuts is delicious. I actually have a stash of dark chocolate in my trailer on set. No one even knows about [it], but now they will. I will be locking up my chocolate now!

Catch Z Nation Season two when it premieres on Syfy on Sept. 11 at 10 p.m. ET.