Prime Video has unveiled the trailer for the eagerly awaited limited series Expats, directed by the talented Lulu Wang. Based on the best-selling novel The Expatriates by Janice Y. K. Lee, the series promises a riveting exploration of life in Hong Kong through the eyes of its expatriate community. The series is set to premiere with two episodes on January 26, 2024, and will release new episodes weekly, culminating in a finale on February 23, 2024.
A Tale of Three Women
Set against the vibrant backdrop of 2014 Hong Kong, Expats focuses on the intersecting lives of three American women – Margaret (Nicole Kidman), Hilary (Sarayu Blue), and Mercy (Ji-young Yoo). Their lives are thrown into turmoil following a family tragedy, leading to a journey of self-discovery, friendship, and adventure. The series promises to delve into themes of privilege, identity, and the blurred lines between victimhood and culpability.
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Expats boasts an impressive cast, headlined by Academy Award- and Emmy-winning actor Nicole Kidman, known for her powerful performances in Big Little Lies and The Undoing. Joining her are Sarayu Blue (Never Have I Ever, Blockers), Ji-young Yoo (The Sky Is Everywhere, Smoking Tigers), Brian Tee (Chicago Med, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows), and Jack Huston (House of Gucci, Fargo). Kidman also serves as an executive producer alongside Lulu Wang.
Creative Powerhouse
Lulu Wang, celebrated for her work on The Farewell, brings her unique storytelling and directorial vision to Expats. She serves as the creator, director, and writer, ensuring a narrative rich in emotional depth and cultural nuance. The series is produced by Daniele Melia for Local Time and Nicole Kidman for Blossom Films. Australian screenwriter Alice Bell, known for her compelling narratives, was the first writer to join the project. Theresa Park for Per Capita Productions and Stan Wlodkowski are also executive producers.
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The writing team for Expats includes Vera Miao, Gursimran Sandhu, and Janice Y. K. Lee, the author of the original novel. Their collective efforts, along with contributions from Bell and Wang, promise a series that is both authentic and engaging.
With its compelling storyline, stellar cast, and creative team, Expats is poised to be a standout series on Prime Video. The show is expected to offer a fresh perspective on the expatriate experience, exploring the complexities of life in a foreign land and the personal journeys of its characters.
Expats premieres on January 26, 2024, exclusively on Prime Video.
About Expats
Release Date: January 26, 2024
Based on The Expatriates by Janice Y. K. Lee
Creator/Director: Lulu Wang
Executive Producers: Lulu Wang, Daniele Melia, Nicole Kidman, Per Saari, Alice Bell, Theresa Park, Stan Wloodkowski
Writers: Lulu Wang, Alice Bell Vera Miao, Gursimran Sandhu, Janice Y.K. Lee
Cast: Nicole Kidman, Sarayu Blue, Ji-young Yoo, Brian Tee, Jack Huston
Synopsis
Set against the vibrant and tumultuous tapestry of 2014 Hong Kong, Expats centers on three American women—Margaret (Nicole Kidman), Hilary (Sarayu Blue), and Mercy (Ji-young Yoo)—whose lives intersect after a sudden family tragedy. The series interrogates privilege and explores what happens when the line between victimhood and culpability becomes blurred. Brian Tee, who plays Margaret’s husband Clarke, and Jack Huston, who plays Hilary’s husband David, also star in the series.
Are you excited for Expats? How do you think the series will portray the expatriate experience in Hong Kong? Do you have family who work as migrant workers? Share your thoughts with us on Discord!
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