Lulu Wang, the acclaimed filmmaker behind the 2019 hit film ‘The Farewell’, is set to release her first TV series, ‘Expats’, on January 26. The series, a massive project for Amazon Prime Video, is an adaptation of the 2016 novel by Janice Y. K. Lee and features Nicole Kidman in a leading role.

Wang, who moved from Beijing to the U.S. at a young age, opens up about her journey in the industry and the challenges and opportunities that have come her way. Following the success of ‘The Farewell’, Wang found herself inundated with calls for other Asian American projects, a trend that continues to this day.

However, despite the interest in such projects, Wang remains focused on the creative aspects that drive her work. She emphasizes that her initial attraction to ‘The Farewell’ was not based on its cultural context but rather on the universal themes it explored. The film served as a form of therapy for her, allowing her to express and explore a deeply personal question that resonated beyond cultural boundaries.

Now, with ‘Expats’, Wang ventures into the realm of TV, a departure from her previous work in film. The series follows a group of expats and their caretakers in Umbrella Revolution-era Hong Kong, offering a unique perspective on human connections forged in the face of tragedy.

Wang’s creative journey is marked by her dedication to storytelling that transcends cultural labels and resonates with audiences on a profound level. As she prepares to unveil ‘Expats’, her foray into the world of television, audiences can anticipate a narrative that reflects her distinctive voice and vision.