The Sympathizer (miniseries)
The Sympathizer | |
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Genre |
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Created by | |
Based on | The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen |
Directed by |
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Starring |
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Country of origin |
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Original language | English |
Production | |
Executive producers |
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Production locations |
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Original release | |
Network | HBO |
The Sympathizer is an upcoming
Premise
The series is based on the story of the Captain, a North Vietnam plant in the South Vietnam army. He is forced to flee to the United States with his general near the end of the Vietnam War. While living within a community of South Vietnamese refugees, he continues to secretly spy on the community and report back to the Viet Cong, struggling between his original loyalties and his new life.[1]
Cast
Main
- Hoa Xuande as the Captain
- Fred Nguyen Khan as Bon
- Toan Le as the General
- Duy Nguyễn as Man
- Vy Le as Lana
- Alan Trong as Sonny
- Robert Downey Jr. in several antagonist roles
Recurring
- Sandra Oh as Ms. Sofia Mori
- Kieu Chinh as the Major's Mother
- Kayli Tran as the Communist Spy
- VyVy Nguyen as the Major's wife
- Ky Duyenas Madame, the General's wife
- Scott Ly as Gunner Dao
- Marine Delterme
Episodes
No. | Title [2] | Directed by [3] | Teleplay by [4] | Original release date [5] | Viewers (millions) |
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1 | "Episode 1" | Park Chan-wook | Park Chan-wook and Don McKellar | April 14, 2024 | TBD |
2 | TBA | Park Chan-wook | Park Chan-wook & Don McKellar and Naomi Iizuka | April 21, 2024 | TBD |
3 | TBA | Park Chan-wook | TBA | April 28, 2024 | TBD |
4 | TBA | Fernando Meirelles | TBA | May 5, 2024 | TBD |
5 | TBA | Marc Munden | TBA | May 12, 2024 | TBD |
6 | TBA | Marc Munden | TBA | May 19, 2024 | TBD |
7 | TBA | Marc Munden | TBA | May 26, 2024 | TBD |
Production
In April 2021, Viet Thanh Nguyen announced that his novel The Sympathizer had been optioned by A24 to be adapted into a television series with Park Chan-wook directing. Rhombus Media is also involved in the production.[1] In July, HBO ordered the series from A24, and Robert Downey Jr. joined the project in a producer and co-star role.[6] The state of California awarded the production over $17.4 million in tax credits ensuring significant production would take place in state.[7] Marc Munden and Fernando Meirelles were also hired to direct some episodes of the series.[8]
Casting director Jennifer Venditti opened a worldwide casting call in order to find a main cast of Vietnamese descent, ultimately hiring
Filming took place in Los Angeles and Thailand.[9] Downey shaved his head for the series in order to save time required to use a bald cap for each of the various characters he portrayed. A significant portion of Downey's performance was also improvised.[13]
Release
The series will air on HBO and be available to stream on Max, premiering on April 14, 2024.[14]
References
- ^ a b Bui, Hoai-Tran (April 7, 2021). "Park Chan-wook is Directing a TV Adaptation of Viet Thanh Nguyen's Pulitzer-Winning Novel The Sympathizer". /Film. Archived from the original on April 8, 2021. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
- ^ "HBO TV Schedule". HBO. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
- ^ Rice, Lynette (February 15, 2024). "'The Sympathizer': HBO Reveals Debut Date, Trailer For Limited Series". Deadline. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
- ^ "The Sympathizer". Writers Guild of America West. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
- ^ "Shows A-Z - sympathizer, the on hbo". The Futon Critic. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
- ^ Porter, Rick (July 15, 2021). "Robert Downey Jr. to Produce, Co-Star in The Sympathizer Drama at HBO". The Hollywood Reporter. PMRC. Archived from the original on July 15, 2021. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
- ^ Patten, Dominic (July 18, 2022). "Star Wars Series Skeleton Crew, Shonda Rhimes' White House Drama The Residence, & Robert Downey Jr's The Sympathizer Adaptation Awarded Big CA Tax Credits". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on August 22, 2022. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
- ^ Petski, Denise (January 20, 2023). "The Sympathizer: Marc Munden & Fernando Meirelles To Direct HBO/A24 Series, Three Cast". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on January 25, 2023. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
- ^ a b Porter, Rick (November 9, 2022). "HBO's Post-Vietnam Series The Sympathizer Sets Main Cast". The Hollywood Reporter. PMRC. Archived from the original on November 9, 2022. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
- ^ Petski, Denise (November 10, 2022). "The Sympathizer: Sandra Oh Among Three Cast In HBO & A24's Drama Series Adaptation". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on November 10, 2022. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
- ^ Bell, BreAnna (May 11, 2023). "HBO's The Sympathizer Adds Scott Ly to Cast (Exclusive)". Variety. Archived from the original on May 25, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
- ^ Keslassy, Elsa (May 19, 2023). "French Actor Marine Delterme Signs With WME, Joins Cast of HBO Spy Series The Sympathizer by Park Chan-Wook (Exclusive)". Variety. Archived from the original on May 25, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
- ^ Gardner, Chris (January 16, 2023). "Park Chan-wook Praises Robert Downey Jr. for Remembering Every Crew Member on 'Sympathizer' Set: "He Gives Them Each a Pat on the Back"". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 12, 2023.
- ^ Canfield, David (February 15, 2024). "How Robert Downey Jr. Helped The Sympathizer Pull Off an Audacious, Ferocious Adaptation". Vanity Fair. Condé Nast. Archived from the original on February 15, 2024.
External links
- The Sympathizer at IMDb