Jimmy O. Yang, who previously portrayed “Chinese Teenager #1,” has now taken the lead role in the Hulu series “Interior Chinatown,” where he plays the struggling background actor Willis Wu. This transition highlights the complexities surrounding the portrayal of Asian American men in Hollywood, a theme explored deeply in the adaptation of Charles Yu’s acclaimed satirical novel.
“Interior Chinatown” takes a critical, yet humorous, approach by revealing the experiences of its protagonist, Willis, a Chinese restaurant server ensnared in a fictional police drama, who begins to examine the mystery surrounding his brother’s long-standing disappearance. Yang reflects on his career progression, stating, “I feel like I have gone through every single number on the call sheet now. I’ve learned from many great leads about embodying leadership, as it’s essential to also lead by example in this industry.”
Set to premiere on Tuesday, the series features a predominantly Asian cast, including Ronny Chieng, Chloe Bennet, Archie Kao, and Tzi Ma. Moreover, it boasts a talented behind-the-scenes team, spearheaded by Yu, who assumes the roles of both creator and executive producer. The show pays homage to iconic cop series like “Law & Order,” while also drawing inspiration from 1980s and ’90s action-comedy dynamics where Asian characters often possessed fighting skills, reminiscent of franchises like “Rush Hour” and “Martial Law.”
Yu articulates that his inspiration for the book stemmed more from the narratives of his immigrant parents and their social circles than from consuming media. He notes, “They built their lives here, forged their identities as Americans, and yet often felt like outsiders. Their stories needed to be told.”
The series is produced by Taika Waititi, a filmmaker known for amplifying diverse voices, with projects like “Jojo Rabbit” and “Reservation Dogs” under his belt. Having grown up in New Zealand, Waititi finds parallels between his own experiences as a M?ori person and the themes presented in “Interior Chinatown,” emphasizing the importance of highlighting marginalized voices in media.
Each episode title represents the various stereotypes that have historically surrounded Asian American actors, including terms like “delivery guy,” “tech guy,” “kung fu guy,” and “Chinatown expert.” Recently, there has been a resurgence in reclaiming the term “kung fu guy,” as seen in productions like Marvel’s “Shang-Chi” and the CW’s “Kung Fu,” all set against the backdrop of San Francisco’s Chinatown.
Tzi Ma points out that the show’s commentary on stereotyping feels increasingly pertinent in the aftermath of the pandemic. “In major cities, Chinatowns have faced significant hardships, particularly since COVID-19,” Ma expresses. “I hope visitors realize that Chinatown represents a community and is not merely a dining locale.”
Chieng, who plays the grumpy server Fatty Choi, once defended Chinatowns on “The Daily Show,” taking on Fox News for a prejudiced commentary regarding Manhattan’s Chinatown. He credits that moment with launching his career, including a significant role in “Crazy Rich Asians.” Unlike his character in “Interior Chinatown,” Chieng has, fortunately, experienced considerable success in his career.
A notable aspect of “Interior Chinatown” is that about a third of its main cast has previously been part of projects centered around Chinatown themes. This aligns with Yu’s exploration of how Hollywood constrains the roles available for Asian American actors. “A glance at the IMDb profiles of our cast reveals successful actors who, just years ago, faced limitations in opportunities,” Yu reflects.
Bennet, who is of mixed heritage, has discussed her struggles regarding representation while using her family name, Wang. She shares, “For a long time, I felt my whiteness was more factored into casting decisions, while my ‘Asian-ness’ was sidelined.” Her experience on the “Interior Chinatown” set was profoundly emotional, as she noted, “I’ve never been involved in a project that placed such importance on being Asian both on and off-screen.”
Yang, on the other hand, felt a sense of embarrassment reflecting on his earlier role. “The journey that Willis experiences mirrors my own, reminding me of what it took to earn roles,” he said, reminiscing about his days as “Chinese Teenager #1.” Yang has since ventured into producing his own content, marking his evolution within the entertainment industry.
