Anne's journey from Netflix to helping children heal

In a culture where value is often measured through titles, accolades and prestige, Anne has taken a step back to reevaluate what’s important to her. For three decades, she poured herself into the world of film and television, producing everything from dramas to game shows, culminating in acclaimed big-screen projects and even Malaysia’s first Netflix original series. Yet, at the height of her success, she chose to step away, leaving behind the industry she had dedicated so much to shaping.

That decision opened the door to something very different. Anne moved to Wales to pursue a Master’s in Developmental and Therapeutic Play, driven by a long-standing wish to work with children. The shift carried her from film sets to classrooms, and eventually into hospital wards and nonprofit leadership.

On top of dedicating her time and energy to bringing play to children in the pediatric oncology ward, she is also General Manager of the National Stroke Association of Malaysia (NASAM), where she oversees six centres nationwide, ensures operations run smoothly, and drives the fundraising efforts that sustain affordable rehabilitation for stroke survivors.

From Prime-Time TV to Netflix

Anne Low spent the majority of her career shaping Malaysia’s film and television landscape. Early on, she co-founded Popiah Pictures, producing shows that became staples of local entertainment, such as Each Other and the supernatural drama Ghost. These projects, along with other series and dramas, gave her a reputation for versatility and a knack for delivering stories that resonated with audiences.

Her career continued to build momentum across networks and production houses, leading to senior roles and larger-scale projects. The peak came in 2019 with The Garden of Evening Mists, one of Malaysia’s most ambitious films to date, which earned nine Golden Horse Award nominations. Soon after, she produced Netflix’s first Malaysian original, The Ghost Bride.

Completing two high-profile projects back-to-back felt like the right moment to step away. “I decided that it was a good time to leave the industry; on a high note,” Anne recalled. What many did not expect was that her next chapter would move in a direction far from the world of sets and screens.

A New Chapter in Swansea

Returning to education after thirty years in the workforce was a heavy decision, let alone for a field of study she had no experience in. Though Anne had already attained an MBA in Marketing and Management from The University of Mississippi years prior, this time, the classroom felt different; surrounded by classmates decades younger than her, she admitted the start was daunting. “But two or three months into it I began to understand the rhythm and was able to adapt to what was required of me as a student,” she inferred.

The leap back into academia took place in 2022, where she enrolled at Swansea University for a Master’s in Developmental and Therapeutic Play. The programme brought a sense of structure and clarity to a passion she carried for years, and reaffirmed her belief that there was more to play than just fun; that it was a powerful tool for therapy and development in children. Her dissertation, The Importance of Play Therapy in Improving the Developmental Health of Hospitalised Children, received a distinction, underscoring how deeply she had immersed herself in the field.

This move to Wales was not hers alone. Anne brought her youngest son along so that he could complete his secondary education in the UK, which was contingent upon his father's also being there, as stipulated by UK law. Between lectures, assignments, and part-time work at a nursery, she was balancing student life with motherhood and family life abroad. The experience became a period of renewal: one where learning, family, and purpose converged.

From Wales to Buckingham Palace, and Back Home

When Anne packed her bags and moved to Wales, she was looking for knowledge and perspective. What she found was also a role that allowed her to make an impact beyond the classroom. While working at a nursery and immersing herself in play therapy research, she was invited by the Welsh Government to undertake the role of a community mentor. The initiative aimed to hear from minorities and those with lived experiences in order to build a country committed to eliminating racism. “Me being a minority in Wales and the fact that I was also working with children ticked many boxes for them,” she explained. “Thus, I was invited by the Welsh Government to be one of their community mentors.”

For two years, Anne reviewed policy papers, shared her perspective on inclusivity, and contributed to discussions on how Wales could better serve communities that were often overlooked.

The work culminated in a possibility she never dreamed of: an invitation to attend His Majesty’s Garden Party at Buckingham Palace. In May 2025, she joined fellow community mentors in London to meet King Charles and Queen Camilla. It was a sunlit afternoon filled with warmth and ceremony, but what stayed with her most was the sense of recognition for the work they had carried out. “It was a beautiful affair,” she recalled. “The food was wonderful, the tea was excellent, and it was a truly memorable day.”

After a year and a half in Swansea, the experience marked both an ending and a transition. The work had been fulfilling, but she felt it was time to return home. With family waiting and new opportunities emerging in Malaysia, Anne closed her Welsh chapter, carrying lessons in advocacy, inclusivity, and the power of lived experience.

Bringing Play and Compassion to Malaysia

When Anne returned to Malaysia, her focus was clear: to work with children and bring the principles of play therapy into practice. She began at Hospital Tunku Azizah (HTA), a hospital where young patients often spend weeks in isolation while undergoing treatment. For her, play is an essential part of recovery; it was how children learned, connected, and reclaimed a sense of normalcy even in the most difficult moments.

Among all the incredible kids Anne had the pleasure of working with, one boy left an indelible mark. Anne met Mou Kai when he was only 9, but he spoke with the insight of someone far older. During their first encounter, they discussed prominent world leaders like Trump and Putin. Other days, they played checkers together, and Anne was startled to find herself beaten fairly by a child. Even when weakened by treatment, he made time for play, determined to hold on to that part of himself. Toward the end, when he grew too tired to sit upright, Anne would read to him quietly at his bedside.

Mou Kai lost the fight to cancer, and saying goodbye to him was heart-wrenching for Anne. His passing left her devastated and rendered her incapable of stepping into the hospital for two weeks. Yet it was his bravery that pulled her back. “He taught me patience, tenacity, and kindness,” she reflected. “And I knew other children were waiting who needed reprieve from their pains, however brief, in their lives.”

Redefining Balance and Giving Back

Looking back on more than three decades of work across entertainment, therapeutic play, and now NGO leadership, Anne has come to a simple but hard-earned conclusion: work is not everything. For years, she pushed forward in demanding industries, but experience has shown her that contentment and balance matter just as much as ambition.

“I guess at the end of the day, you think that when you die, what do you leave behind?” she reflected. “You need to give in this world. Through giving, you discover happiness, and you come to see the value of balance.”

That spirit of giving now anchors both her professional and personal life. Through her work at NASAM and the hospital, she continues to create spaces of healing and hope. Outside of work, she has learned to value small, quiet pleasures. Travel, exercise, and time with family and friends have taken on new meaning.

As she looks ahead, her vision is not measured in titles or milestones but in fulfilment. A life of purpose, balance, and gratitude: one where she continues to give back while also allowing herself the freedom to simply be.