Crazy Rich Asians is being credited with opening the door for an Asian American and Pacific Islander story.
ABC is joining up with Viola Davis and JuVee Productions to develop a new hour long family drama, Ohana, reports The Hollywood Reporter.
The story centers around the continual jealousies and differences among half-Japanese, half-Filipino, and half-Black characters and their fight over a large inheritance .
It is inspired by the 1994 book, Shark Dialogue, by Kiana Davenport. The TV series will be written by Lisa Takeuchi Cullen who is a former Times staff writer and former correspondent.
“So many Hawaii-set stories have been told from the white point of view,” Cullen said to The Hollywood Reporter. “This is a story we’re passionate about telling from the point of view of native Hawaiians — Pacific Islanders, people of Asian descent and people of hapa heritage.”
Cullen said she mentioned the success of Crazy Rich Asians when pitching her idea.
According to ColorLines, most stories based out of Hawaii minimize the AAPI experience. This show, if approved, promises to be different.
(Editor Note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly named Cullen as the author of Shark Dialogue. We apologize for the error)
AsAmNews has Asian America in its heart. We’re an all-volunteer effort of dedicated staff and interns. Check out our Twitter feed and Facebook page for more content. Please consider interning, joining our staff or submitting a story.
