The Best TV Series to Watch During AAPI Heritage Month
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May is finally here, which means flowers are blooming, al fresco dining is back, and it's time to celebrate AAPI Heritage month. Besides dining out at all the delicious dim-sum restaurants near you, watching your favorite films about Asian heritage and culture, at hanging out with your crew at the local AAPI street festival, there's another way for you to explore the rich history of AAPI culture. It involves cozying up on your couch and not moving a muscle. That's right—we're talking about doing what you do best. Queueing up a TV show and pressing play.
Whether or not you're a fan of half-hour comedies, absurdist dramedies, or intense historical dramas, there's an AAPI-led show that's perfect for you. We've curated a list of award-winning limited series, sitcom mainstays, and romantic comedies. So order in from an Asian American-owned restaurant near you, make yourself one of these delicious cocktails with Asian-inspired flavors, and celebrate AAPI heritage with us.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith
Prime Video's Mr. and Mrs. Smith provides a fresh take on the 2005 spy comedy. In this version, Maya Erskine (you’ll see her pop up again in this list) and Donald Glover star as John and Jane Smith, two strangers who are assigned to pose as a married couple. Working as secret agents is hard enough, but their job grows more complicated when... they... fall for each other. Season 1 was a fantastic revival of the espionage romance. Fans loved it so much that Amazon just greenlit another round of mayhem.
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Expats
In Expats, a group of women living in Hong Kong see their lives converge over a horrific event. This show is based on Janice Y.K. Lee’s novel, The Expatriates. Nicole Kidman stars as Margaret alongside Ji-young Soo, who plays Mercy, as well as Saraya Blue, who brings Hilary to life. When Hilary’s son, Gus, goes missing, all the women find themselves impacted by the tragedy. Expats is a case study on motherhood, friendship, and human nature—peeling back everything you think you know about humanity to reveal something new.
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The Sympathizer
In The Sympathizer, Hoa Xuande stars as "The Captain"—a half-Vietnamese, half-French communist spy. After working for the Vietcong in the Vietnam War, he flees to America and settles down in Los Angeles. There, he bonds with a group of Vietnamese refugees—but he can’t leave his old life behind him. When The Captain is pulled back into the world of espionage, he's forced to question his morals and his loyalties. Through this riveting tale, The Sympathizer provides a fresh look at the Vietnam War, as told by a man torn between two sides.
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Shōgun
This limited series exploded on the scene this spring on FX. Shōgun is an epic drama set during feudal Japan—and somehow, despite all the complicated historical context and cultural circumstances of the time period—it became 2024's biggest show to date. Anchored by heavy-hitting performances by Hiroyuki Sanada (who is also a producer on Shōgun) and Anna Sawai, who flexes her bilingual talents, Shōgun was a weekly must-watch. The show centered around the intense political battle for control of Japan amongst powerful samurais. Intense, spectacularly shot, and emotionally powerful, Shōgun made a big impression and even landed itself a two-season renewal.
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Avatar: The Last Airbender
Airbender fans gather around! The beloved animated series finally got a live action adaptation that fans felt was worth the wait. Avatar: The Last Airbender hit streaming on Netflix with an iconic cast that included Daniel Dae Kim, Dallas Liu, and Ken Leung. The series was celebrated for its diverse casting and its fun and colorful spin on the original series. And it's been renewed for two more seasons, so binge now and get ready for more adventures with Aang and Appa.
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Pen15
An absurdist original comedy from the minds of Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle, Pen15 hit millennials right in the gut. The Hulu series is a time capsule to the early aughts—with a soundtrack packed full of Mandy Moore and NYSNC, outfits straight out of a Delia's catalog, and AIM serving as the main form of communication. If Y2K revival is the hottest trend nowadays, then all of the cringe of that era has been perfectly restored by Pen15. It touches on the pain of growing up while facing an identity crisis, racial discrimination, and having your first crush.
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Awkwafina is Nora From Queens
Have you ever wondered how Awkwafina became Awkwafina? Well, you can watch her semi-autobiographical comedy series to find out. Awkwafina is Nora From Queens is loosely based on the comedian's life and upbringing in New York City. The cast is stacked with veteran Asian American actors, including Lori Tan Chinn, BD Wong, and Bowen Yang. The guest stars are just as stellar—Stephanie Hsu, Jamie Chung, and Ken Jeong, anyone?
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The Mindy Project
Mindy Kaling stars in The Mindy Project, a comedy where the actress plays a successful OBGYN with a messy personal life. As Mindy struggles to truly enter adulthood, she finds the rest of her coworkers could use some help, too. The series ran for six seasons, which Kaling's character go through several romantic entanglements. If you're looking for a lighthearted show to binge, this is the perfect pick.
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Never Have I Ever
The popular Netflix dramedy, Never Have I Ever, has been praised by critics as groundbreaking work in media for fighting Asian stereotypes. Devi Vishwakumar is the protagonist, a 15-year-old Indian-American Tamil Hindu girl, who—along with facing all the typical stress of being a teenager—is also grieving the sudden death of her father. Devi feels estranged from her mother, confused about her identity, indecisive about her love interests, and struggles with her social standing at school. Equally fun, effervescent and painfully earnest, it'll have you feeling nostalgic about your high school years.
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Fresh Off The Boat
Fresh off The Boat is a sitcom based on chef Eddie Huang's memoir of the same name. The series follows Eddie, an 11-year-old hip-hop aficionado, and his immigrant family, who move to suburban Orlando. As Eddie and his brothers start a new school, the family is tasked with acclimating to their new surroundings. Hilarious shenanigans ensue. The show has been mired in controversies, including Constance Wu alleging that she was sexually harassed on set and Eddie Huang publicly disagreeing with the show's direction. That said, Huang does credit the show's legacy for bringing Asian representation to mainstream audiences who may not typically have exposure to Asian culture.
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Pachinko
Based on the acclaimed novel by Min Jin Lee, Apple TV+'s Pachinko follows generations of a South Korean immigrant family, from their grandmother's young adulthood in Japanese-occupied South Korea to her Asian-American grandson, who is trying to make his way in Western society. The show explores all of the intricate nuances in being an Asian-American immigrant, as well as the lasting trauma from South Koreans who experienced Japanese occupation. A beautifully shot and acted drama, Pachinko features a talented cast comprised of Lee Min-ho, Kim Min-ha, and Academy Award winner Youn Yuh-jung.
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The Sex Lives of College Girls
The Sex Lives of College Girls is another classic from Mindy Kaling. This series follows four college freshmen who are paired together as random roommates. As they get acclimated to lives without adult supervision, the girls lean on each other to tackle adulthood. Throughout the past two seasons, the show has dealt with issues of class, misogyny, and sexuality. The hilarious series bravely depicts the choices of these young women, who are trying to live lives that they can be proud of—and discovering what that means to them—despite society's expectations.
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Master of None
Aziz Ansari's critically acclaimed Netflix series, Master of None, had a grip on culture when it hit the streaming platform. The series had a refreshingly honest and witty portrayal of dating as an adult in a big city. It also took time to explore some deeper topics, such as the the sacrifices immigrant parents make for their children, racial discrimination in the acting industry, and sexual harassment that women experience in their daily lives. Many of the episodes inspired cultural conversation about representation. It was the moving, culturally stimulating show we needed.
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BEEF
This short but mighty Netflix series drew in unanimous praise when it debuted. BEEF, created by Lee Sung Jin, starred Steven Yeun and Ali Wong. The two had electric energy on the screen; their hilarious, quick insults made the show a hit. BEEF explored the intersection of race and class divisions, as well as our cultural conflict with expressing rage in a healthy way. Even more, BEEF challenged us with its philosophical questions and portrayal of the consequences of generational trauma.
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Bridgerton (Season 2)
The beloved series, Bridgerton, became a viral streaming sensation after Netflix premiered its first season in 2020. Season Two of the series focused on two sisters, Kate and Edwina Sharma, who are from India. The younger of the two, Edwina, is set to debut into London society and find a good husband, which—unbeknownst to her—will allow her relatives access to the family fortune that is being withheld from them. They face many obstacles on the way to finding true love, but the romantic chemistry that erupts between Kate and Anthony Bridgerton will have you reaching for a fainting couch.
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