Family in Crime Family

Michelle Yeoh commands the screen as Eileen Sun,

a woman who fled Taipei's lethal underworld

seeking sanctuary in Los Angeles.

Her carefully constructed new life fractures

when assassins target her triad-leader husband.

Enter Charles Sun (Justin Chien),

the heir apparent steeped in gang traditions,

rushing from Taiwan to shield his mother.

He finds his younger brother Bruce (Sam Song Li),

an unsuspecting LA college student dreaming of comedy,

utterly unaware of their family's violent legacy.

This collision of worlds forces the Sun brothers together.

Charles navigates the chaos he knows too well,

while Bruce confronts shocking truths about his roots.

Both brothers harbor secret aspirations beyond crime –

Charles yearns for escape, Bruce craves normalcy.

But survival demands confronting ruthless killers

operating across the Pacific divide.

Created by Brad Falchuk and Byron Wu,

this eight-episode action saga explores identity,

duty, and the inescapable pull of family history.

At its core the series asks what it means to be a son, to be a brother, and what it takes to keep a family intact — an idea Falchuk, the showrunner and one of the writers, returns to throughout the episodes.

The danger is real: this is a crime family with enemies who would kill them, but the personal arguments and emotional scars are recognizably human.

Those universal tensions are balanced with careful attention to cultural detail.

All eight episodes were developed in a writers’ room made up of Asian writers working alongside Falchuk.

Much of the Taiwanese phrasing and local flavor came from the largely newcomer, predominantly Taiwanese cast.

The result is a mix of high-stakes action and intimate, culturally specific family drama.

Meet the brothers below — and welcome to the family.

Michelle Yeoh embodies Eileen Sun, a formidable matriarch who fled Taipei for Los Angeles, fiercely shielding her youngest son from her shadowed past.

This cunning strategist offers Yeoh a fresh gangster archetype distinct from predecessors like The Sopranos, fulfilling her desire to explore this genre more deeply.

Yeoh masterfully layers the character, blending ruthless badassery with surprising goofiness and maternal warmth, often subverting expectations of action-hero moments.

Her collaboration with younger co-stars Justin Chien and Sam Song Li fostered a genuine familial bond on set, where Yeoh naturally assumed a nurturing, mentoring role.

Eileen Sun joins Yeoh's gallery of iconic 'E' characters – Evelyn Wang from Everything Everywhere All at Once and Eleanor Young from Crazy Rich Asians – all showcasing determined mothers with hidden depths.

Yeoh's extensive filmography, including Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Shang-Chi, and Star Trek: Discovery, is available on Netflix.

The Netflix crime dramedy "The Brothers Sun" has assembled an impressive cast, bringing together accomplished actors who deliver powerful performances. Starring Academy Award winner Michelle Yeoh alongside Justin Chien and Sam Song Li, the ensemble demonstrates remarkable chemistry throughout the series.

Michelle Yeoh's portrayal of matriarch Eileen Sun showcases her versatility, balancing maternal instinct with hidden strength. Her nuanced performance adds depth to a character harboring secrets that gradually unfold across episodes.

Justin Chien commands attention as Charles Sun, the disciplined heir to a criminal empire. His character's journey from Taipei to Los Angeles creates compelling dramatic tension, particularly in scenes shared with Sam Song Li, who plays his sheltered younger brother Bruce.

The supporting cast deserves recognition as well. Highdee Kuan brings complexity to Alexis, while Joon Lee provides necessary comic relief as TK. Together, they create a believable world where family loyalty collides with dangerous criminal enterprises.

What makes this ensemble particularly effective is their ability to navigate between intense action sequences and moments of genuine emotion, often within the same scene. The performers' commitment to their roles elevates the material, making "The Brothers Sun" a standout addition to Netflix's catalog.

The Brothers Sun ensemble delivers commanding performances in Netflix's latest crime drama, showcasing a perfect blend of intensity and familial dynamics. Led by Academy Award winner Michelle Yeoh, the cast brings authenticity to this Taiwanese gangster saga.

Yeoh portrays family matriarch Eileen Sun with remarkable depth, navigating between protective mother and woman with mysterious connections to Taipei's criminal underworld. Her nuanced performance anchors the series with gravitas only a seasoned performer could provide.

Justin Chien emerges as a revelation playing Charles Sun, the stoic enforcer whose return to Los Angeles sets the narrative in motion. Chien balances deadly precision with vulnerability as his character reconnects with family while protecting them from encroaching threats.

Sam Song Li provides essential contrast as Bruce Sun, the sheltered younger brother whose ordinary life shatters when family secrets emerge. Li's portrayal of Bruce's journey from naïveté to awakening offers the series its emotional core and much-needed levity.

Supporting players including Highdee Kuan, Joon Lee, and Johnny Kou round out the ensemble with distinctive performances that enhance the show's exploration of loyalty, identity, and power within criminal enterprises.

The chemistry between cast members elevates the writing, creating believable family bonds that make the stakes genuinely affecting throughout the eight-episode run.

Charles Sun is the eldest son raised to defend the family by any means necessary, hardened in Taipei’s underworld and notorious among local triads for his ferocious loyalty and nickname “Chairleg.”\n

Moving to Los Angeles forces him out of the environment that forged him — and away from the direct influence of his father — exposing a man who has always measured worth by duty rather than emotion.\n

Justin Chien, who plays Charles, views the character as deeply wounded but quietly yearning for ordinary comforts: peace, affection and simple happiness that most people take for granted. Chien’s own life — split between Taipei and L.A. and anchored by strong family ties — made the role especially resonant for him.\n

A trained Muay Thai and jiu-jitsu practitioner, Chien brought both physical credibility and subtlety to the part. Producers say the role required more than aggression; they needed to see the vulnerability that fuels the violence. Chien’s performance, they felt, revealed that inner pain through small facial beats and controlled movement as much as through dialogue.\n

Casting was a challenge because the team wanted someone who could be menacing and tender at once. When the agents called with Chien’s audition, the creators felt the pieces clicked: he has the look and the physical presence — he moves with a dancer’s economy — but also a real emotional depth that lets viewers read what’s behind the anger.\n

Off camera, Chien keeps close to his roots. His go-to Chinese snack is a scallion pancake with an egg, and he prefers his boba made with fresh milk, lightly sweetened and with minimal ice. He also gives a local shout-out to Newport Seafood in the San Gabriel Valley, which appears in the series.\n

Small personal touches made it onto the set as well: Chien’s mother appears in the show among the mah-jongg players, and castmates enjoyed watching the two of them gossip between takes — a warm slice of real life woven into the production.\n

For Chien, the role of Charles was less about glorifying violence and more about portraying a conflicted man shaped by circumstance, loyalty and a subdued but unmistakable love for the few people he calls family.

Casting Highlights

Sam Li embodies Bruce Sun

with startling authenticity

drawing from his own 626 upbringing

by a single mother in San Gabriel

This California-bred character

knows sunshine but not his Taipei roots

until big brother Charles arrives

shattering his improv-actor dreams

and pre-med reality

Li recognizes himself in Bruce's duality

"A medical path chosen for family

while secretly craving the stage"

Their parallel lives blur

when audition pages mirrored Li's reality

Improv isn't just performance for both

it's survival armor

Groundlings-trained Li admires

Bruce's spontaneous sincerity

comparing him to anime heroes

fighting through muddy moral swamps

As audience proxy

Bruce navigates triad chaos

with Li and Chien forging off-screen bonds

that fuel their brotherly friction

"Annoyances become brotherhood"

Tancharoen observes

Beyond the screen

Li's SGV expertise shines

recommending Mian's zhajiangmian

while debating boba choices

between photogenic taro

and classic Earl Grey

From Better Call Saul

to this Netflix spotlight

Li transforms personal history

into Bruce's compelling journey

where family secrets

collide with noodle shop truths

When "The Brothers Sun" premiered on Netflix, it immediately garnered attention for its stellar ensemble cast. Led by Oscar-winner Michelle Yeoh, the action-comedy series brought together established talents and promising newcomers who delivered performances that resonated with viewers worldwide.

The casting directors showed remarkable vision by assembling actors who could seamlessly blend intense action sequences with moments of genuine humor and emotion. Each performer brought unique qualities to their roles, creating a chemistry that elevated the storytelling beyond typical genre fare.

Michelle Yeoh anchors the series with her commanding presence, but the supporting players prove equally captivating. Justin Chien and Sam Song Li establish a compelling dynamic as brothers navigating complicated family ties, while Highdee Kuan brings depth to what could have been a standard love interest role.

What makes this cast particularly noteworthy is their ability to handle the show's tonal shifts. One moment they're executing precisely choreographed fight scenes, the next they're delivering subtle comedy or heartfelt drama. This versatility speaks to both the actors' talents and the thoughtful casting process.

The series also deserves recognition for showcasing Asian American actors in complex, multidimensional roles that avoid stereotypes. This representation matters not just culturally but creatively, as it allows for authentic storytelling that connects with diverse audiences.

As "The Brothers Sun" continues to find its audience, the cast's performances remain its greatest strength, promising bright futures for these performers regardless of whether the series continues.

Highdee Kuan plays Alexis Kong, an ambitious assistant district attorney in Los Angeles shaped by a strict work ethic and a strong sense of right and wrong.

Her upbringing and drive pushed her into law, but Alexis’s intensity hints at a more complex edge beneath the badge.

Showrunner Ryan Murphy’s collaborator has observed that Alexis and Charles are cut from the same cloth: raised in different circumstances, they might have swapped professions, yet both share the same relentless, streetwise mentality.

Ken Wu adds that the two are similarly obsessed with getting what they want and carry inner wounds — traits that foster mutual respect between them.

Off-camera, Kuan echoes Alexis’s spicy streak: she’s a devoted fan of fiery ramen and those little spice packets, telling Tudum that anything spicy, tangy or soup-based is basically her kryptonite.

Kuan’s recent credits include Fear the Night, Quantum Leap, Proximity, You and This Is Us.

Joon Lee leaps from short films to his inaugural television role as TK in Netflix's action-comedy series.

Portraying Bruce Sun's loyal best friend, TK fantasizes about gangster grandeur but remains hilariously inept at criminality.

A devoted gamer and relaxed stoner, he embodies comedic naivety toward violence's harsh realities.

Co-creator Tancharoen instantly recognized Lee's authentic fit during auditions, noting TK mirrors the actor's real persona minus lawbreaking.

Executive producer Falchuk emphasized avoiding caricature: "Ground every moment—let the humor emerge organically."

Lee's naturalistic delivery ensures TK resonates as believably flawed, not farcical.

The actor celebrated his career milestone on Instagram, captioning: "First TV show... main cast... Netflix? Pinch me."

Discover more of Lee's journey through his evolving filmography and social channels.

Character Highlights

Blood Boots breaks gangster stereotypes with lethal skills wrapped in a cheerful persona. Co-star Justin Chien calls Jon Xue Zhang "a giant teddy bear who could legitimately obliterate you" - high praise from his on-set best friend.

Zhang discovered the role unconventionally: casting agents spotted him doing stunt work in background clips. Though initially self-conscious about his English accent during auditions, producers embraced it as perfect for the character.

Zhang cherishes how Blood Boots balances chilling calm with deadly precision. "He's so chilled out but also lethal," the actor reflects, noting the contrast between cheerful demeanor and shadowy expertise.

Off-camera bonds flourished: Wu raves about Zhang's legendary hugs, while Chien suffered bruised elbows during impromptu training sessions. "We held pads for each other once. Big mistake," Chien laughed.

When not filming, Zhang fuels up with nostalgic White Rabbit candy and aggressively sweet boba tea. His diverse resume includes The Gentlemen, Eternals, and Fast & Furious: Hobbs & Shaw.

In the crime drama "The Brothers Sun," the character of Xing stands out as a stoic, unwavering presence. Unlike her enthusiastic counterpart Blood Boots, Xing maintains a completely serious demeanor throughout the series. Despite her lack of humor, her loyalty to protecting the Sun family remains unquestionable.

Director Tancharoen revealed that comedian Jenny Yang's portrayal of Xing came as a refreshing surprise. Having admired Yang's stand-up work, Tancharoen didn't have a fixed vision for Xing until Yang's audition.

"Jenny's interpretation was completely unexpected," Tancharoen explained. "She approached the character differently than all other candidates, bringing an unusual quality that immediately clicked. Her unique comedic timing and dry delivery transformed the role entirely."

Yang's versatility as a performer is evident from her previous work in various productions including the animated series "The Great North," the comedy "Enemies of Dorothy," the drama "Nuclear Family," and the sketch show "What The?!"

Her transformation into the humorless Xing demonstrates her remarkable range as a performer, proving that sometimes the most unexpected casting choices yield the most compelling results.

Alice Hewkin's dual performance as twins

June and May Song showcases remarkable range.

As June, she enters Mama Sun's orbit as a tattoo artist

with unexpected piano talents—a skill borrowed

directly from the actress herself.

Producer Brad Falchuk confirms: "When Alice mentioned

her piano ability, we instantly wove it into June's character."

Meanwhile, May commands the White Crane Triad in LA,

utilizing TK for drug operations while mastering

the art of weaving—a multifaceted antagonist.

Initially conceived as triplets including "April,"

scheduling constraints condensed the roles.

Falchuk believes Hewkin could've effortlessly portrayed all three.

The casting sought someone balancing humor and darkness,

combat skills with emotional depth. Co-creator Byron Wu notes

the twins risked being "two-dimensional killers,"

but Hewkin infused both with compelling vulnerability.

"Vulnerability defines their strength," Hewkin emphasizes.

"June shields hers fiercely, yet melts with trust."

To distinguish the sisters, she crafted unique speech patterns

and physicality, amplified by contrasting costumes:

"Same dangerous world, vastly different souls."

Off-screen, Hewkin playfully names fortune cookies

her favorite Chinese snack—cherishing the ritual

of cracking them open. Chocolate Pocky and daily sushi

complete her culinary confession.

Previously seen in Sex Education and Emily in Paris,

catch her powerhouse performance on Netflix.

The Brothers Sun ensemble delivers a powerhouse performance in Netflix's latest crime drama, showcasing both veteran talent and fresh faces in a story of family ties and criminal empires.

Michelle Yeoh anchors the series with her commanding presence as matriarch Eileen Sun, following her Oscar-winning turn in "Everything Everywhere All at Once" with another nuanced portrayal of maternal complexity.

Justin Chien steps into the spotlight as Charles Sun, the dutiful eldest son and heir to a Taiwanese crime syndicate, bringing both physical prowess to action sequences and emotional depth to family confrontations.

Sam Song Li provides the perfect counterbalance as Bruce Sun, the naive younger brother raised in America, unaware of his family's criminal connections until circumstances force a reunion with his estranged family members.

The supporting cast enhances the narrative with standout performances from Highdee Kuan as Alexis, a prosecutor with unexpected connections to the Sun family, and Joon Lee as TK, Charles' loyal childhood friend whose allegiance is tested throughout the series.

Created by Brad Falchuk and Byron Wu, the eight-episode series masterfully blends intense action, family drama, and surprising humor, with the cast's chemistry elevating the material beyond typical genre fare.

Beyond their dynamic performances in The Brothers Sun

the cast members are proving to be savvy entrepreneurs.

Their ventures extend far beyond the screen.

Several stars have launched successful businesses

ranging from innovative tech startups to lifestyle brands.

They're applying their creative energy strategically.

Stay updated on their multifaceted careers

by tracking their latest projects and business expansions.

Discover the diverse ventures they champion.

Madison Hu embodies Grace Hwang

with striking authenticity

Her college improv background

fuels Grace's comedic bond with Bruce

California roots mirroring the character's journey

Producer Brad Falchuk vividly remembers discovery

"Zooming from her NYU dorm post-audition

That rare mix of freshness and polish"

Her talent left the entire team awestruck

Set designers nailed San Gabriel Valley authenticity

Hu's instant reaction walking onto the Sun house set:

"This looks exactly like my parents' place!"

confirmed their meticulous research

Beyond acting, Hu shares Grace's culinary quirks

Winter melon boba for occasional treats

though strawberry peach tea remains her staple

Her confessed guilty pleasure?

"Shrimp chips despite my allergy -

worth my doctor's disapproval!"

Previously seen in Disney's

Bizaardvark and Best Friends Whenever

Horror fans spotted her in The Boogeyman

Follow her rising career trajectory

Character Profile and Casting

He is Eileen’s husband and the father of Charles and Bruce, and early in the story he becomes the target of a mysterious attack.

Born into hardship, he and his clever wife climbed out of poverty and assembled a criminal network together.

When his partner left him, his temperament hardened and enemies multiplied.

Producers searched the globe for the right presence to play this role and only found their man late in casting.

Scenes were even moved in the shooting schedule so the production could wait for Johnny Kou to be available.

The creative team needed an actor who could project immediate authority, and Kou’s physicality delivered that at once.

He balances menacing charisma with a paternal warmth — the kind of smile that disarms before it reveals danger.

Colleagues note he’s long been a fixture in Taiwanese cinema as a compelling heavy, and here he layers that toughness with genuine dad-energy.

The result is a performance that makes the character feel both dangerously real and intimately human.

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