Cast of Interior Chinatown Television Show: A Deep Dive into Representation

Jimmy O. Yang, once relegated to roles like “Chinese Teenager #1,” now leads the cast of Hulu’s “Interior Chinatown” as the downtrodden background actor Willis Wu. The series, adapted from Charles Yu’s award-winning satirical novel, cleverly satirizes Hollywood’s stereotypical portrayal of Asian American men.

Yang’s journey reflects the show’s meta-narrative, having climbed the ranks of the call sheet throughout his career. He emphasizes the importance of leadership and setting an example on set, learned from observing other leading actors.

“Interior Chinatown” follows Willis’s perspective as a Chinatown restaurant server trapped in a fictional police procedural. As he investigates his older brother’s disappearance, his understanding of his own identity evolves. The 10-episode dramedy boasts a predominantly Asian cast, including Ronny Chieng, Chloe Bennet, Archie Kao, and Tzi Ma. Behind the camera, Asian talent also shines, with Yu himself serving as creator and executive producer.

The series pays homage to classic cop dramas like “Law & Order” while also referencing ’80s and ’90s action-comedies featuring Asian martial arts stars. However, Yu’s inspiration stemmed not from these portrayals but from his parents’ experiences as immigrants navigating American society and striving for belonging.

Chloe Bennet and Yang in “Interior Chinatown.” (Mike Taing/Hulu via AP)

Taika Waititi, acclaimed director of “Jojo Rabbit” and “Thor” films, joins as a producer, lending his experience in championing underrepresented voices. Waititi, the first person of Māori descent to win an Academy Award, co-created the Emmy-nominated “Reservation Dogs,” a groundbreaking series with an entirely Indigenous cast and crew. He recognized parallels between the experiences depicted in “Interior Chinatown” and the treatment of Indigenous Māori in New Zealand.

Each episode title of “Interior Chinatown” highlights a specific archetype often imposed on Asian American actors: “delivery guy,” “tech guy,” “kung fu guy,” and “Chinatown expert.” Recent projects like Marvel’s “Shang-Chi” and the CW’s “Kung Fu” have begun reclaiming the “kung fu guy” trope, presenting complex characters with martial arts skills and personal struggles. Often, these narratives unfold in San Francisco’s Chinatown.

The show’s commentary on stereotyping resonates even more strongly in the post-pandemic era, as Chinatowns across major cities face economic hardship. Tzi Ma hopes the series will encourage viewers to see Chinatown not just as a place for dining but as a vibrant community.

Tzi Ma in “Interior Chinatown.” (Mike Taing/Hulu via AP)

Ronny Chieng, who plays the irascible restaurant server Fatty Choi, brings his own history of challenging racist portrayals to the role. His 2016 “Daily Show” segment criticizing a Fox News report on Chinatown garnered attention and contributed to his casting in “Crazy Rich Asians.”

A significant portion of the “Interior Chinatown” cast has previously appeared in projects set in Chinatowns, underscoring the show’s critique of Hollywood’s limited casting choices for Asian Americans. Yu points out that even successful actors like Yang faced typecasting early in their careers.

Chloe Bennet, of mixed Chinese and white heritage, has openly discussed the challenges of being considered for roles under her surname, Wang. She describes feeling her whiteness emphasized in professional settings while her Asian heritage was relegated to her personal life. The “Interior Chinatown” set provided a stark contrast, fostering a sense of belonging and comfort through its diverse cast and crew.

Yang, who also runs his own production company, acknowledges the parallels between Willis’s journey and his own experiences fighting for meaningful roles beyond stereotypical portrayals. He candidly admits to having once competed for a role as insignificant as “Chinese Teenager #1.”