Twenty years after starting his career as a young actor in Toronto, Thomas Lo has transitioned into a role where he now empowers emerging Asian talents. Interestingly, he has turned his focus toward Hong Kong to accomplish this mission.
As the creative director at one of Hong Kong’s prominent television networks, Lo has swiftly begun producing original content in English, aiming to connect with audiences globally. “It feels like a full-circle moment,” said Lo, reflecting on the industry landscape. “While there are more Asian faces on-screen, the types of roles often remain the same. We’re actively seeking broader opportunities, not just in front of the camera, but also behind it.”
Working as an Asian actor in major North American cities like Toronto, Los Angeles, and New York presents challenges that differ significantly from those in Asian cities like Hong Kong or Taipei. Actors in Asia are less likely to face stereotyped roles, to be the only Asian in a production, or to feel tokenized. Many Asian American and Canadian actors have leveraged this difference, relocating to Asian markets for greater opportunities in the entertainment field.
However, a number of producers from both continents are exploring partnerships to transform these dynamics. The intent is to provide burgeoning talent from the Asian diaspora with increased visibility while enabling productions based in Asia to reach larger audiences. A notable example of this collaborative spirit is the Hulu show “Shogun,” which won 18 Emmys and showcased a successful interplay between Japanese and Western talent.
Leading the charge at Hong Kong’s Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB), Lo spearheaded the network’s inaugural collaborative project with an American company. The result is “Cross My Mind,” an original drama featuring both English and Cantonese dialogue. Two separate film crews worked across continents to create a narrative about Nathan Ing, a Chinese American music producer in Los Angeles who finds a telepathic connection with a Hong Kong advertising executive portrayed by Cantopop artist Jocelyn Chan.
Jocelyn Chan, a Hong Kong native who relocated to Vancouver at a young age, returned to Hong Kong to pursue her music aspirations, citing concerns about finding success in North America. “Many of us share the sentiment that returning home could enhance our chances of success,” Chan noted. “We feel connected to both worlds.”
In “Cross My Mind,” Chan’s character breaks away from traditional Western stereotypes of Asian female roles, embodying a more powerful and assertive persona.
The collaboration between Wong Fu Productions in Los Angeles and TVB began with a casual slide into DMs on Instagram. “It would be great to tap into their audience, as that’s precisely who we want to reach,” Lo said, highlighting the effort to connect with Asian American viewers. Wong Fu Productions, established in 2003, has evolved into a popular YouTube channel featuring content focused on the Asian American experience, with emerging talents like Simu Liu among its past contributors.
“Now, we have actors eager to collaborate with us without pay, recognizing that being part of our projects allows them to connect with an Asian American audience first,” shared Wesley Chan, co-founder and creative director of Wong Fu Productions. He found the task of crafting a story featuring Asian and Asian American protagonists to be an engaging challenge. The team developed six episodes of “Cross My Mind” within six months for filming in 2022.
“The goal was to illustrate the cultural disparities between an American and someone from Hong Kong,” Wesley said. “Recognizing and sharing these differences is often overlooked.”
Integrating the working methods of two distinct crews was no easy task. Wesley noted the differences in labor dynamics between Los Angeles and Hong Kong, where unions aren’t prevalent, mirroring the bicultural essence of the show.
The series debuted in April 2023 on TVB’s streaming platform myTV Super, which boasts nine million subscribers, and was later introduced to U.S. viewers in December through two newly merged streaming services creating GoldenTV, targeting English language content for Asian American audiences.
Takashi Cheng, the founder of GoldenTV, remarked, “Although there are dual audiences on either side of the globe, there’s still content that captures interest.” He explained that the demand for English-language programming underscores its relevance and appeal in international markets.
Since launching nearly two years ago, GoldenTV has signed on thousands of subscribers. Future content will include unscripted shows, with the recent introduction of “The Takeaway,” an entertainment news program hosted by influencer Michelle Park. Additionally, actor Daniel Wu is working on a docuseries centered around his passion for racing.
Wu, who gained fame after moving from the San Francisco Bay Area to become a star in Hong Kong cinema before transitioning to Hollywood, represents a rare combination of experiences, as noted by Lo. “Before the influence of digital platforms, it was challenging for actors to toggle between Asian and American markets,” he said. “We offer a fresh perspective for artists and talents seeking to create English content.” Wesley Chan expressed that Wong Fu is open to serving as “a bridge” for further crossover opportunities in the future.
Although Jocelyn Chan continues her singing career with hits and an upcoming solo concert in Hong Kong, she credits the success of “Cross My Mind” with inspiring her to seek acting prospects beyond Hong Kong and is currently on the lookout for an agent in Canada. “This experience pushed me to take action instead of waiting,” Chan reflected. She believes there’s an expanding space in the industry for individuals raised in bicultural environments, suggesting that it provides a specific yet valuable representation within the broader spectrum of Asian portrayal.
