These are new shows. The new fall television season is well underway, and as usual, we've been keeping an eye on the new Asian faces on the tube. Because we like to keep track of such things. But with cable and streaming services, as well as new shows now premiering year-round, the old model of a new fall "season" as a programming benchmark is not quite what it used to be. Nevertheless, after scouring the slate of new shows, here's a general rundown of actors of Asian descent who are series regulars (not technically guest starring or recurring) on new scripted prime time network, cable and streaming shows premiering this fall.
We might have missed a few, but here you go. These are new shows.
9JKL
CBS | Premiered October 2
Liza Lapira
Eve
Josh, new divorcé and actor between projects, moves back home to New York to regroup, living in an apartment sandwiched between his doting, meddlesome parents on one side and his brother, sister-in-law and their new baby on the other. Liza Lapira plays Eve, the Harvard-educated pediatrician married to Josh's competitive brother Andrew, a successful surgeon.
Albert Tsai
Ian
Albert Tsai plays Ian, the 12-year-old neighbor from apartment 5A who hangs out in the lobby.
GHOSTED
Fox | Premiered October 1
Adeel Akhtar
Barry Shaw
A cynical skeptic and a genius "true believer" in the paranormal are recruited by a secret government agency to look into the rampant "unexplained" activity in Los Angeles -- all while uncovering a larger mystery that could threaten the existence of the human race. Adeel Akhtar plays Barry, a scientist at the agency.
THE GIFTED
Fox | Premiered October 2
Jamie Chung
Blink/Clarice Fong
Set in the X-Men universe, The Gifted tells the story of a suburban couple whose ordinary lives are rocked by the sudden discovery that their children possess mutant powers. Forced to go on the run from a hostile government, the family joins up with an underground network of mutants and must fight to survive. Jamie Chung plays Clarice Fong, aka Blink, a mutant with teleportation powers.
THE GOOD DOCTOR
ABC | Premiered September 25
Tamlyn Tomita
Allegra Aoki
In this medical drama, a young surgeon with autism and savant syndrome is recruited to join a prestigious hospital's surgical unit. Alone in the world and unable to personally connect with those around him, he uses his extraordinary medical gifts to save lives and challenge the skepticism of his colleagues. Tamlyn Tomita plays Allegra Aoki, the chairman and vice president of St. Bonaventure Hospital. She is calm and clever and knows that at the end of the day she has to ensure the hospital stays in business if they want to continue to save lives.
LIFELINE
YouTube Red | Premiered October 11
Sydney Park
Norah
This YouTube Red original series centers on the Lifeline insurance agency, whose specially trained agents jump forward in time to prevent the deaths of their clients. But when a jump goes horribly wrong, one of Lifeline’s top agents makes a secret promise to protect a teenager named Norah, played by Sydney Park, who is orphaned as a result of the mishap, and finds a way to undo the events of the past.
Usman Ally
Nathan
Usman Ally plays Nathan, head of the super-secretive, highly confidential time travel "insurance" business.
Lilan Bowden
Jasmine
Lilan Bowden plays Jasmine, a newly promoted employee learning the ropes of the super-secretive, highly confidential time travel "insurance" business.
MARVEL'S INHUMANS
ABC | Premiered September 29
Ken Leung
Karnak
Marvel's Inhumans brings the fan-favorite comic book series to life. After the Royal Family of Inhumans is splintered by a military coup, they barely escape to Hawaii where they are greeted with surprising interactions with the lush world and humanity around them. Now they must find a way to reunite with each other and return to their home before their way of life is destroyed forever. Ken Leung plays Karnak, cousin and closest advisor to Black Bolt. His gift is an ability to see the fault in all things -- people, plans, structures, everything. He's Black Bolt's most ardent supporter and strategist and is often seen as the royal family's planner and philosopher.
Sonya Balmores
Auran
Sonya Balmores plays Auran, head of the Royal Guards on the Inhumans' home world of Attilan. A capable and no-nonsense woman, she is fiercely loyal to the King of Attilan.
Mike Moh
Triton
Mike Moh plays Triton, Black Bolt's green-skinned amphibious cousin. Calm under pressure and supremely athletic, his gift is his fish-like ability to live underwater.
RUNAWAYS
Hulu | Premieres November 21
Lyrica Okano
Nico Minoru
After discovering their parents are super-villains in disguise, a group of teenagers band together to run away from their homes in order to atone for their parents' actions and to discover the secrets of their origins. Lyrica Okano plays Nico, a budding Wiccan with magical abilities.
STAR TREK: DISCOVERY
CBS All Access | Premiered September 24
Shazad Latif
Lieutenant Ash Tyler
The Star Trek franchise returns to television with a new ship, new characters and new missions, set ten years before the Original Series. Shazad Latif plays Ash Tyler, a Starfleet lieutenant and prisoner of war who is rescued by the Discovery.
S.W.A.T.
CBS | Premieres November 2
David Lim
Victor Tan
Inspired by the 1970s television series and the 2003 feature film, this crime drama follows a specialized tactical unit that is the last stop in law enforcement in Los Angeles. David Lim plays Victor Tan, a relatively new S.W.A.T. officer who made his name in the Hollywood division before advancing to the heights of the LAPD and Metro S.W.A.T. Tan has a nose for action and a willingness to place a bet on anything. He uses his confidential informants in the community to help the team capture the city's toughest criminals.
WHITE FAMOUS
Showtime | Premiered October 15
Utkarsh Ambudkar
Malcolm
White Famous centers on Floyd, a young black comedian whose star is rising, forcing him to navigate the treacherous waters of maintaining his credibility as he begins to cross-over towards becoming "white famous." Utkarsh Ambudkar plays Floyd's agent Malcolm, a typical Hollywood shark who is always on the lookout for the next big opportunity (and payday) for his client, regardless of what Floyd thinks.
WISDOM OF THE CROWD
CBS | Premiered October 1
Jake Matthews
Tariq Bakari
Wisdom of the Crowd is a drama about a visionary tech innovator who creates a cutting-edge crowdsourcing app to solve his daughter's murder, and revolutionize crime solving in the process. Jake Matthews plays Tariq Bakari, a tech genius and expert hacker with issues adhering to the rules.
And there you have it. All of the actors of Asian descent who are series regulars on new scripted network, cable and streaming shows premiering this fall. As usual, there are a number of medical professionals, tech guys, and law enforcement agents. Making a noteworthy blip this year: super-powered Asians on the run.
Did we miss anybody? Please note that this list doesn't include a big batch of actors on shows that will be premiering midseason. (I guess we'll have to put together another list in early 2018.)
By the way, back in the day, this list used to be a lot easier and quicker to compile. I guess that's a good thing?
