Hulu’s new drama “The Season” is set to debut on June 17 with all six episodes, and the series was made under demanding conditions that became part of its identity. Shot largely on real Hong Kong locations and much of it at sea, the production left the cast with little privacy, limited downtime, and intense physical challenges. Actor Toby Stephens described the experience of filming on a boat as unusually restrictive, saying there were no trailers and that he often meditated on deck during breaks. Despite the difficult setup, the cast said the shoot was memorable and enjoyable because of strong camaraderie among the performers and crew.
The series follows the wealthy sailing elite of Hong Kong and explores the social tensions, privilege, and personal insecurities beneath their polished public images. Karina Lam, who plays Fiona Hext, said the warm atmosphere on set made the work easier, while Jessie Mei Li, who plays American character Cola, said the cast relied on each other to get through the long shoot. The production ran for six episodes over about 50 days in humid conditions, adding to the pressure of filming on the water.
The cast members also discussed the acting challenges of the project. Lam, who has spent decades working in Cantonese and Mandarin across Hong Kong and Taiwan, said acting in English required a different mindset, especially because some expressions carry meaning that cannot be fully translated from Chinese. Mei Li faced the opposite challenge: as an English actress portraying an American in a multinational production, she found herself unconsciously slipping into the accents of the people around her. Chris Pang said his role as Andrew Fung was intentionally difficult, since the character is written as openly obnoxious and offensive. He said the challenge was making the character unpleasant without making him impossible to watch. Director Marialy Rivas encouraged him to push the performance further, even if some takes went too far.
Stephens, who plays patriarch Christopher Hext, said he wanted to avoid reducing his character to a simple villain. He described the role as a study in the contrast between outward displays of wealth and authority and the fear and vulnerability hidden underneath. The cast repeatedly emphasized that Hong Kong itself is central to the series, not just a shooting location. Lam said the city felt like a character, while Mei Li said the show is about Hong Kong in many ways, and Stephens said the story could only take place there.
“The Season” was created and showrun by Yalun Tu, with Marialy Rivas as lead director and executive producer. It is produced by PCCW Media and SK Global, and international distribution includes Hulu, Viu, and Now TV. The cast has since moved on to new projects, but they said the experience of filming in Hong Kong left a lasting impression.
