Hulu has officially dropped the trailer and key art for its highly anticipated original series Interior Chinatown, based on the award-winning novel by Charles Yu. The limited series, set to premiere all 10 episodes on November 19, 2024, boasts a star-studded cast including Jimmy O. Yang, Ronny Chieng, and Chloe Bennet. Directed by Taika Waititi, who also serves as an executive producer, Interior Chinatown promises a unique blend of humor, drama, and social commentary that brings Yu’s imaginative narrative to life.
A Story of Identity and Ambition
Interior Chinatown follows the life of Willis Wu (Jimmy O. Yang), a background character in the police procedural series Black & White. In the show within the show, Willis is stuck in minor roles, most notably as “Generic Asian Man,” waiting tables and dreaming of becoming more than just a side character in his own life. Longing to be the “Kung Fu Guy,” Willis navigates his day-to-day existence in Chinatown while dreaming of a starring role.
However, his life takes an unexpected turn when he witnesses a crime, which pushes him into a web of criminal intrigue within Chinatown. As Willis dives deeper into the mystery, he begins to uncover his own family’s complex history and what it truly means to take control of his narrative—on-screen and off.
A Cast Ready to Step Into the Good Light
JIMMY O. YANG, CHLOE BENNET
Interior Chinatown features a dynamic ensemble cast with Jimmy O. Yang in the lead role, alongside Ronny Chieng, Chloe Bennet, Lisa Gilroy, Sullivan Jones, Archie Kao, and Diana Lin. The series is helmed by creator Charles Yu, who also serves as showrunner and executive producer, with the pilot directed by Taika Waititi, known for his distinct style of balancing humor with depth.
In addition to Waititi and Yu, the series is executive produced by Dan Lin and Lindsey Liberatore for Rideback, Jeff Skoll, Miura Kite, and Elsie Choi for Participant, and Garrett Basch for Dive. Produced by 20th Television, the series explores themes of identity, ambition, and what it means to break out of the roles society often imposes on people.
A Creative Adaptation of an Award-Winning Novel
JIMMY O. YANG, RONNY CHIENG
Based on the critically acclaimed book by Charles Yu, Interior Chinatown stands out as both a deeply personal and comedic exploration of Asian-American identity and representation in Hollywood. The novel won the 2020 National Book Award for Fiction, praised for its clever meta-commentary and genre-bending narrative. The Hulu adaptation promises to retain the book’s humor and heart while adding a fresh, visual dimension to its layered story.
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Fans of the novel and newcomers alike can look forward to a story that is equal parts hilarious, introspective, and thrilling. The series is set to bring the vibrant, multifaceted world of Interior Chinatown to a broader audience, while delivering a timely exploration of cultural stereotypes, representation, and the search for personal identity.
Coming Soon
JIMMY O. YANG, CHLOE BENNET
Interior Chinatown premieres on Hulu with all 10 episodes available for streaming on November 19, 2024. Be sure to check out the newly released trailer and key art to get a glimpse of what promises to be one of the most innovative and thought-provoking series of the year.
About Interior Chinatown
Release: November 19, 2024
Creator: Charles Yu
Executive Producers: Charles Yu, Dan Lin and Lindsey Liberatore for Rideback; Jeff Skoll, Miura Kite and Elsie Choi for Participant; Garrett Basch for Dive; and Taika Waititi
Pilot Director: Taika Waititi
Production: 20th Television
Episodes: 10
Cast: Jimmy O. Yang, Ronny Chieng, Chloe Bennet, Lisa Gilroy, Sullivan Jones, Archie Kao, Diana Lin
Synopsis
Based on Charles Yu’s award-winning book of the same name, the show follows the story of Willis Wu, a background character trapped in a police procedural called Black & White. Relegated to the background, Willis goes through the motions of his on-screen job, waiting tables and dreaming about a whole world beyond Chinatown. When he inadvertently becomes a witness to a crime, Willis begins to unravel a criminal web in Chinatown, his family’s buried history, and what it feels like to be in the spotlight.
Are you excited to see Interior Chinatown come to life? What are you hoping to see from this adaptation of the award-winning novel? How do you think Taika Waititi’s direction will influence the tone of the series? Share your reactions with us on social media!
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