The Disney+ Original series Interior Chinatown, starring Jimmy O. Yang, Ronny Chieng, and Chloe Bennet, is out now. Adapted from Charles Yu’s award-winning novel, the series premiered on 19 November, with all ten episodes available exclusively on the platform.
Interior Chinatown follows Willis Wu, played by Jimmy O. Yang, a background character living within the confines of a police procedural world called Black & White. Consigned to the backdrop, Willis spends his days waiting tables and performing as a “Generic Asian Man,” all while nursing aspirations of escaping his predetermined role and becoming the hero of his own story. However, when he inadvertently witnesses a crime, Willis finds himself entangled in a web of criminal intrigue in Chinatown. As he unravels the mystery, he also begins to explore his family’s hidden past, grappling with identity and belonging in a world that consistently casts him as the “background extra.”
This limited series is brought to life by an impressive creative team, with Taika Waititi serving as executive producer and director of the pilot. Charles Yu, the book’s author, also took the reins as series creator and showrunner, ensuring that his original story retains its distinct voice on screen. Alongside Yu and Waititi, the series boasts an impressive roster of executive producers, including Dan Lin and Lindsey Liberatore for Rideback, and Jeff Skoll, Miura Kite, and Elsie Choi for Participant, with production helmed by 20th Television.
The series also stars Lisa Gilroy, Sullivan Jones, Archie Kao, and Diana Lin, rounding out a diverse cast that brings both comedic timing and dramatic depth to this multi-layered story. Given Disney+’s robust parental controls, Interior Chinatown will be accessible to a wide audience, with adjustable access limits on mature content and PIN-protected profiles. Families can rest assured that Disney+ remains a safe and controlled viewing experience for all ages.
With Interior Chinatown, Disney+ continues to expand its repertoire of thought-provoking content, promising an engaging blend of humour, drama, and introspection on themes of identity and representation. This fresh take on the Asian American experience is set to resonate deeply with audiences, offering a new kind of storytelling that delves into the universal desire to be seen and heard.
Check out the trailer below: