Local Woman Stars on NBC's 'Siberia'

Irene, a "contestant" on NBC's summer drama series Siberia, may seem a little familiar to residents of the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

That's because the bow-and-arrow-toting character's actress, Irene Yee, is a graduate of Palos Verdes Peninsula High School. 

In the series—a scripted drama shot as a reality television series—Irene is one of 16 contestants dropped into Siberia's frozen wilderness as part of a competition.

"She is a naive, innocent and kind-hearted soul," Yee told Examiner.com. "It's easy to also peg her as helpless; however, as things start to unravel, it is discovered that she has a lot of hidden potential and strength that no one could have ever imagined."

Yee, who had to learn archery for the part, originally didn't even plan to audition.

"I went as my sister's supporter; she had asked me to come along," she said, explaining that when she was at the callback audition, someone suggested that she ask if she could read for the part. "I went in, not expecting anything to come out of this. About a month or two later I found out I got the part. My sister was absolutely thrilled for me."

Siberia's season finale is set to air on NBC at 10 p.m. Monday.

• Read more: Actress Irene Yee Opens up About Starring in NBC's Siberia [Examiner]