Expats (miniseries)
Expats[1] is an American drama television miniseries directed by Lulu Wang, based on the 2016 novel The Expatriates by Janice Y. K. Lee. It premiered on Amazon Prime Video on January 26, 2024.[2][3]
| Expats | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Drama |
| Created by | Lulu Wang |
| Based on | The Expatriates by Janice Y. K. Lee |
| Directed by | Lulu Wang |
| Starring |
|
| Music by | Alex Weston |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of episodes | 6 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Producer | Janice Y. K. Lee |
| Production location | Hong Kong |
| Cinematography | Anna Franquesa-Solano |
| Editors |
|
| Running time | 53–100 minutes |
| Production companies |
|
| Original release | |
| Network | Amazon Prime Video |
| Release | January 26 – February 23, 2024 |
Premise edit
Expats follows "the vibrant lives of a close-knit expatriate community: where affluence is celebrated, friendships are intense but knowingly temporary, and personal lives, deaths and marriages are played out publicly—then retold with glee."[4]
Plot edit
Set in Hong Kong, the plot orbits the abrupt disappearance of Margaret's youngest son during a nighttime market escapade. The convergence of three American women, their clandestine affairs, amorous entanglements, and deceit unfurls against the backdrop of the 2014 Umbrella Movement protests in Hong Kong.
Margaret grapples with an overwhelming sense of culpability and desolation, while her companion, Hilary, maneuvers through the intricacies of a disintegrating marriage. At the same time, chance acquaintance and young Columbia graduate Mercy descends into a series of self-destructive choices.
Cast edit
Main edit
- Nicole Kidman as Margaret Woo
- Sarayu Blue as Hilary Starr, whose birth name is Harpreet Singh
- Ji-young Yoo as Mercy Cho
- Brian Tee as Clarke Woo
- Tiana Gowen as Daisy Woo
- Bodhi del Rosario as Philip Woo
- Ruby Ruiz as Essie
- Amelyn Pardenilla as Puri
- Jack Huston as David Starr
Guest starring edit
- Blessing Mokgohloa as Pastor Alan Mambo
- Flora Chan as Olivia Chu
- Grace Wong as Priscilla
- Bonde Sham as Charly, a protester in the Umbrella Movement[5]
- Will Or as Tony Ng, a protester in the Umbrella Movement[5]
- Maggie Lee as Wen Ng, Tony Ngʻs mother, a cleaner of a local grocery store
Production edit
Development edit
On February 7, 2017, it was reported that Blossom Films had optioned the screen rights to Janice Y. K. Lee's novel The Expatriates with the intention of developing it into a television series. Alice Bell was attached to write the adaptation. Executive producers were expected to consist of Nicole Kidman, Per Saari, and Theresa Park with Lee set to serve as a consulting producer. Alongside Blossom Films, production companies involved with the production were slated to include POW! Productions.[6] On July 28, 2018, it was announced that Amazon had given the production a series order.[4] On January 11, 2019, it was announced that Melanie Marnich had joined Bell as co-showrunner and executive producer for the series.[7] In December 2019, it was announced Lulu Wang would serve as an executive producer on the series, while also writing and directing multiple episodes.[8]
Alongside the initial development announcement, it was reported that Nicole Kidman would star in the series.[6] In May 2021, Ji-young Yoo was cast in the series.[9] In June 2021, Jack Huston and Sarayu Blue joined the cast.[1][10] In September 2021, Brian Tee joined the cast.[11]
Filming edit
Filming locations included luxury restaurants in The Murray, PMQ, Sevva in Prince's Building. Other locations included Mei Foo Sun Chuen, Lok Wah Estate, Ladies Market in Mong Kok, Cheung Sing Restaurant in Tai Hang, Victoria Harbour and the historic Mido Café.[12]
Release edit
The series premiered on January 26, 2024.[3] It is, though, not available in Hong Kong itself.[13]
Episodes edit
| No. | Title | Directed by | Teleplay by | Original air date [14] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "The Peak" | Lulu Wang | Lulu Wang | January 26, 2024 |
| 2 | "Mongkok" | Lulu Wang | Alice Bell | January 26, 2024 |
| 3 | "Mid-Levels" | Lulu Wang | Vera Miao | February 2, 2024 |
| 4 | "Mainland" | Lulu Wang | Gursimran Sandhu | February 9, 2024 |
| 5 | "Central" | Lulu Wang | Lulu Wang | February 16, 2024 |
| 6 | "Home" | Lulu Wang | Janice Y. K. Lee | February 23, 2024 |
Reception edit
Critical response edit
The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported an 83% approval rating, with an average rating of 7.1/10, based on 53 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "By turns emotionally devastating and icy, Expats is a challenging drama made riveting by an ace cast and creator Lulu Wang's deft direction."[15] On Metacritic, the series holds a weighted average score of 73 out of 100, based on 20 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[16]
Controversies edit
Amazon Prime's decision to produce two series in Hong Kong about expatriates – the other one being Exciting Times – was criticised as being insensitive towards the city which was suffering from a rapidly deteriorating political situation under the Hong Kong national security law imposed by the government of the People's Republic of China.[17] Hong Kong's newspaper of record, the South China Morning Post, referred to the series as "tone deaf" and out of touch, because author Janice Y. K. Lee is the daughter of Korean immigrants who left Hong Kong for the US with her family when she was 15.[18]
Leading actor Nicole Kidman's exemption from the city's mandatory 21-day in-hotel quarantine regime was also criticised as she arrived by private jet with bodyguards on August 12, 2021,[17][19] while the Hong Kong authorities responded that the quarantine exemption was granted "for the purpose of performing designated professional work, taking into account that it is conducive to maintaining the necessary operation and development of Hong Kong's economy".[20] Residents objected to what they considered grossly unfair treatment, and internet users also reacted negatively.[21] Several lawmakers expressed concern over the exemption inside the legislature.[22][23] Responding to the controversy, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Edward Yau denied that the exemption violated existing policies, and said that the crew would have to be fully vaccinated and comply with quarantine exemption requirements identical to those made available to bankers.[22] While one person said that the series would bring good publicity and jobs to Hong Kong,[24] dissident artist Badiucao said that "the communist-backed regime would use it as a soft propaganda program that will sugarcoat the lies in Hong Kong".[25]
References edit
- ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (June 17, 2021). "Jack Huston Joins 'Expats' Amazon Drama Series". Deadline Hollywood. from the original on June 28, 2021. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
- ^ "Expats". Writers Guild of America West. from the original on August 12, 2023. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
- ^ a b Bamigboye, Baz (October 3, 2023). "Breaking Baz: How "Scrappy Team" Behind 'The Farewell' Blossomed To Make 'Expats' With Nicole Kidman's Blossom Films; Limited Series Gets Premiere Date & London Fest Slot". Deadline Hollywood. from the original on December 21, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
- ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (July 28, 2018). "Amazon Studios Orders 'The Expatriates' Drama Series Based On Novel From Nicole Kidman's Blossom Films – TCA". Deadline Hollywood. from the original on July 28, 2018. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
- ^ a b Armitstead, Claire (January 17, 2024). "'I just tell stories that make me feel more human': Lulu Wang on directing Nicole Kidman's new TV series". South China Morning Post. from the original on January 30, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
- ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (February 8, 2017). "Nicole Kidman To Produce & Possibly Star In 'The Expatriates' TV Series Adaptation". Deadline Hollywood. from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (January 11, 2019). "Writer Melanie Marnich Inks Overall Deal With Amazon Studios, Joins 'The Expatriates' As Executive Producer". Deadline Hollywood. from the original on October 30, 2020. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
- ^ Jarvey, Natalie (December 12, 2019). "'The Farewell's' Lulu Wang Books Next Project: Amazon's Nicole Kidman Drama Series (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. from the original on December 13, 2019. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
- ^ Otterson, Joe (May 25, 2021). "Amazon Series Adaptation of 'The Expatriates' Casts Ji-young Yoo". Variety. from the original on May 31, 2021. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
- ^ Otterson, Joe (June 24, 2021). "'Expats' Amazon Series Casts Sarayu Blue (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. from the original on July 3, 2021. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (September 9, 2021). "Brian Tee Stars Opposite Nicole Kidman In 'Expats' Amazon Drama Series". Deadline. from the original on September 9, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
- ^ "Scheduled filming of "Expats" featuring Nicole Kidman at fruit store in Mei Foo Sun Chuen postponed today". Dim Sum Daily. August 20, 2021. from the original on January 28, 2024. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
- ^ "'Expats': Amazon show with Hong Kong Umbrella Movement protest scenes not shown in city". Hong Kong Free Press. January 27, 2024. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
- ^ "Shows A-Z - expats on amazon". The Futon Critic. from the original on February 18, 2024. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
- ^ "Expats: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
- ^ "Expats: Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
- ^ a b Kwan, Rhoda (August 19, 2021). "Hong Kong exempts actor Nicole Kidman from Covid quarantine as Amazon's 'tone-deaf' expat TV shows see backlash". Hong Kong Free Press. from the original on August 20, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
- ^ Frater, Patrick; Davis, Rebecca (August 19, 2021). "Nicole Kidman and Amazon Series 'The Expats' Get Quarantine Exemption From Image-Conscious Hong Kong Regime". Variety. from the original on September 10, 2021. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
- ^ "Nicole Kidman allowed to skip Hong Kong's strict quarantine, reports say". The Straits Times. August 19, 2021. from the original on August 19, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
- ^ "Explained: Why Hong Kong govt exempted Nicole Kidman from COVID quarantine mandate for shooting in the city". Firstpost. August 19, 2021. from the original on August 20, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
- ^ Ives, Mike (August 20, 2021). "Nicole Kidman's Quarantine Pass Generates Anger in Hong Kong". The New York Times. from the original on August 22, 2021. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
- ^ a b Chau, Candice (August 20, 2021). "Video: Hong Kong politicians get in on the act as Nicole Kidman quarantine row spills over into legislature". Hong Kong Free Press. from the original on February 18, 2024. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
- ^ "Kidman quarantine exemption sparks anger in HK". Asia Times. August 19, 2021. from the original on September 23, 2021. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
- ^ Cheng, Matthew; Lo, Janice (August 20, 2021). "Hong Kong quarantine exemption for Nicole Kidman draws flak". MSN. Associated Press. from the original on August 22, 2021. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
- ^ Nolan, Emma (August 20, 2021). "Nicole Kidman Hong Kong TV show being used by China as "soft propaganda"". Newsweek. from the original on September 10, 2021. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
External links edit
- Expats at IMDb