“It was a treat to go to work and realise you’re making something special”: Sarayu Blue, Brian Tee and Jack Huston on Expats

Just about to land on Prime Video is the brand show Expats, based on Janice Y K Lee’s acclaimed 2016 novel, The Expatriates. The project came into being after Nicole Kidman borrowed the book from her sister and felt compelled to put the absorbing story to screen. After seeing Lulu Wang’s work in the form of well-received The Farewell, Kidman tapped up the director to helm the adaptation, aided by an all-female writers room. And the rest, they say, is history, resulting in a captivating story about a tight-knit group of expats, whose lives are not as picture-perfect as they seem.

Taking some of its sensibilities from the likes of smash-hit show Big Little Lies – not least as it is also strongly female-led and manages to capture the interiors of women’s lives with striking nuance, privileged or not, and of course, features Kidman in starring role – the plot twists and turns, circling around a central unspeakable tragedy that touches all in its orbit. 2000s Hong Kong provides an intoxicating backdrop, capturing a moment in time that has since been lost amid China’s chokehold over the territory, while the highs and lows of being part of such an intensely interwoven yet transient community are brought under the spotlight, where every triumph and tribulation is magnified, if not fodder for gossip. The exaggerated racial and class divides are also exposed, particularly through Wang’s focus on the Filipina women who are live-in helpers to wealthy American families. Through the lens of three contrasting characters’ stories, the show is a dark and thought-provoking look at what happens when women break with the social contract to always pretend everything is fine.

The Upcoming had the chance to speak with some of the stars of the brand-new show, including Sarayu Blue who plays Hilary Star, who highlighted the series’ multidimensional female characters and diverse storylines. She praised the complexity of the roles, the unique shift in episode five and the joy of working with an acclaimed cast, including Kidman. Her preparation involved close collaboration with the creative team and co-stars, and she emphasised the chemistry on set. Filming in Hong Kong added depth, and she hopes viewers appreciate the nuanced exploration of identity, privilege and human relationships within the show.

Brian Tee and Jack Huston then spoke about playing Clarke Woo and David Starr, husbands to Kidman’s and Blue’s characters. They reflected on the groundbreaking nature of the show, its universal themes and thought-provoking storylines. They praised the female-driven production, empathetic writing and its ability to spark conversations. The actors connected with their roles as fathers, reflecting on the tragedy their characters face and commended Wang’s direction, blending serious themes with moments of humour and absurdity. 

Sarah Bradbury

Expats is released on Prime Video on 26^th January 2024.

Watch the trailer for Expats here: