Cover ‘Fresh Off the Boat’ is arguably the most successful shows on the Asian immigrant experience. It spanned six seasons. (Photo: ABC via IMDB)
‘Fresh Off the Boat’ is arguably the most successful shows on the Asian immigrant experience. It spanned six seasons. (Photo: ABC via IMDB)
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As Hollywood and global entertainment industries continue to expand representation, the hope is for even more stories that reflect the rich, multifaceted realities of Asian immigrant communities worldwide
Asian representation on screen has historically been scarce. According to a 2021 study by the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, only 5.9 per cent of speaking roles in top-grossing Hollywood films were Asian characters, despite Asians making up nearly 7 per cent of the US population. Fortunately, a growing demand for diversity has led to more nuanced and relatable portrayals. For instance, in recent years, television has seen a notable increase in series that authentically portray the Asian immigrant experience.
There’s been a wave of shows that offer fresh perspectives on the diaspora from the East. From heartfelt family sitcoms to sharp social commentaries, these series showcase the challenges and triumphs of Asian immigrant families in the West. After all, nothing hits harder than cultural insight dressed up as humour.
Also read: Small-screen powerhouses: 6 Asian countries that take TV dramas very seriously
1. ‘All-American Girl’ (1994–1995)
Above ‘All-American Girl’ is the first sitcom to convey the unique Asian immigrant experience. (Photo: IMDB)
‘All-American Girl’ is the first sitcom to convey the unique Asian immigrant experience. (Photo: IMDB)
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Though not recent, it’s important to talk about the groundbreaking sitcom that created the path for more diversity in television. Margaret Cho made history with All-American Girl, the first US sitcom to centre on an Asian American family. The series follows a Korean American teen (Cho) rebelling against her strict immigrant parents. It lasted only one season, proving that the audience wasn’t ready for its revolutionary theme. Cho has said that the studio interfered and diluted her concept.
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2. ‘Fresh Off the Boat’ (2015–2020)
Loosely based on chef Eddie Huang’s memoir, this ABC sitcom follows a Taiwanese American family moving to Orlando in the 1990s in pursuit of the American dream. It hilariously navigates the struggles of cultural assimilation, identity and family dynamics while delivering sharp social commentary. Constance Wu is especially refreshing as the Asian immigrant mother who refuses to use the dishwasher to prevent her sons from becoming “soft” American boys while loving the convenience of mac and cheese.
Fresh Off the Boat was a game-changer. It was the first US network sitcom in 20 years to feature an Asian American family and helped pave the way for more diverse storytelling on TV. This show made stars out of Wu and Randall Park.
3. ‘Kim’s Convenience’ (2016–2021)
This beloved Canadian sitcom follows the lives of the Korean Canadian Kim family as they manage their Toronto convenience store. It explores generational and cultural clashes, especially between the traditional, hardworking parents and their more assimilated children. With its sharp writing and authentic representation, Kim’s Convenience became a cultural touchstone, though it ended on a controversial note amid behind-the-scenes creative tensions.
4. ‘International Student’ (2017)
This Australian comedy, created by comedian and Crazy Rich Asians supporting actor Ronny Chieng, follows a South Korean student adjusting to life at an Australian university. With its sharp observational humour, the series highlights the everyday struggles of international students, including language barriers, cultural clashes and the pressure to succeed. It offers a refreshing take on the immigrant experience through the lens of higher education. Unfortunately, it only lasted one season.
5. ‘Second Jen’ (2016–2021)
This Canadian sitcom follows two second-generation Asian Canadian women as they move out of their parents’ homes and navigate adulthood. Created by and starring Amanda Joy and Samantha Wan, Second Jen provides an honest, often hilarious look at the cultural expectations placed on young Asian women and the balancing act of honouring tradition while forging an independent life.
6. ‘House of Ho’ (2020–2022)
For a different take on the Asian immigrant experience, House of Ho offers a reality TV look at a wealthy Vietnamese American family in Houston. The series showcases the generational tensions between traditional immigrant parents and their American-born children, all wrapped in a cloak of opulence. While its reality-show drama may be over the top, it also sheds light on the immigrant success story and the pressures of maintaining wealth and cultural heritage.
7. ‘Never Have I Ever’ (2020–2023)
Created by Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher, this coming-of-age Netflix dramedy follows Indian American teen Devi Vishwakumar as she navigates high school while dealing with grief, identity and cultural expectations. The series was praised for its layered storytelling; it’s a two-for-one punch of humour and emotional depth. It also showcases a rare lead role for a South Asian character, played by Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, and brings much-needed visibility to South Asian experiences in Western media.
Also read: Netflix’s ‘Never Have I Ever’: star Maitreyi Ramakrishnan talks season two
8. ‘American Born Chinese’ (2023)
Based on Gene Luen Yang’s graphic novel, this Disney+ series follows Jin Wang (Ben Wang), a Chinese American high schooler who’s struggling with the usual teenage problems. It seems like a run-of-the-mill coming-of-age story until he’s suddenly drawn into a battle of mythological proportions. It’s high school drama meets Chinese mythology, using this combo to explore themes of assimilation, cultural heritage and self-acceptance. The cast includes Oscar winners Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan, in their first roles after the success of Everything Everywhere All at Once.
Also read: 15 of Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh’s most iconic roles
9. ‘The Brothers Sun’ (2024)
The Brothers Sun offers a high-octane, action-packed take on the Asian immigrant experience. A Taiwanese triad enforcer (Justin Chien) flees to Los Angeles to protect his younger brother (Sam Song Li) and their mother (Michelle Yeoh) who immigrated there years earlier. While its portrayal of an immigrant family is exaggerated—most Asian American households don’t operate under the shadow of organised crime—the show still explores familiar themes of cultural identity, generational conflict and the struggle to reconcile Eastern traditions with Western ambitions. More John Wick than Fresh Off the Boat, it’s still a fun take on Asian immigrant life. Too bad it was cancelled after one season.
10. ‘Outsourced’ (2010–2011)
Outsourced isn’t about the immigrant experience. However, it’s still a fun exploration of the East-meets-West trope. It’s set in an Indian call centre for an American novelty company. Hilariously scripted and grossly underrated, it discusses the cultural misunderstandings and the dynamics of globalisation. While it faced criticism for leaning on stereotypes, it also attempted to humanise its Indian characters and offer insight into cross-cultural interactions. Despite its short run, Outsourced remains a rare example of an American sitcom focusing on South Asian professionals.
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