Viu’s premium drama series THE SEASON brings Hong Kong’s elite world of glamour, secrets and power to global audiences

HONG KONG – STEP into a world where wealth, influence and reputation are everything — but appearances can be deceiving.

Viu’s highly anticipated premium drama series THE SEASON has just premiered globally this June 2026, bringing audiences into the glamorous yet complicated world of Hong Kong’s ultra-elite.

The six-part series will be available simultaneously on Viu across Asia, the Middle East and South Africa, Hulu in the United States and NowTV in Hong Kong.

Produced by PCCW Media in partnership with global entertainment company SK Global, known for acclaimed productions including Crazy Rich Asians, Thai Cave Rescue and Delhi Crime, THE SEASON explores a world of privilege, power struggles and hidden truths.

Set against the luxurious backdrop of Hong Kong’s high society summer, the series follows the influential Hext family — a dynasty that has long dominated the city’s elite circles.

Their seemingly perfect lives of yacht parties, horse races and lavish galas begin to unravel when Cola Pierce, an outsider played by Shadow and Bone star Jessie Mei Li, enters their carefully guarded world.

As secrets emerge and alliances shift, friendships are tested and the boundaries between loyalty and betrayal become increasingly blurred.

Leading the international ensemble cast are Jessie Mei Li as Cola Pierce, Toby Stephens as Christopher Hext, and three-time Golden Horse winner Karena Lam as Fiona Hext.

Lee Jae-yoon’s Jon Kim emerged as one of the cast’s favourite characters in THE SEASON.

The star-studded cast also includes Chris Pang as Andrew Fung, Celina Jade as Carrie Shen, Justin Chien as David Ho, Yvonne Chapman as Madeline Wong, Kōki as Alison Hext, and Lee Jae-yoon as Jon Kim.

Speaking about the series, the cast described THE SEASON as a story that may appear to focus on an unattainable world of luxury, but ultimately reveals universal human experiences beneath the surface.

Chris Pang, who many audiences remember from Crazy Rich Asians, described the series as a “modern-day Bridgerton set in Hong Kong” — filled with fun, glamour and drama.

However, he emphasised that the story goes beyond wealth and appearances.

“On the surface it seems unattainable and fun to watch, but underneath that façade, they are all human going through things.

Their characters start to crack and crumble, and you see what they are dealing with — and that is relatable universally,” said Chris.

For Chris, his role as Andrew Fung also gave him the opportunity to explore a very different character from his previous work.

“In Crazy Rich Asians, I was the likeable best friend, the softer character, the good guy. But in THE SEASON, I’m definitely not the good guy,” he shared.

“I like that he is despicable. He is the guy you love to hate, and that is a lot of fun.”

While the series showcases the glamorous lifestyles of Hong Kong’s elite, Karena Lam noted that the emotional pressures portrayed are not entirely fictional.

Having interacted with people from similar social circles, Karena shared that many high-profile individuals experience pressures behind closed doors.

“They have anxiety about attending charity galas and events, where they always have to be presentable. There is pressure,” she said.

Echoing this sentiment, Yvonne Chapman highlighted how the themes explored in the series are increasingly relevant in today’s social media-driven world.

“Everyone is going through their own struggles. No matter what they put on or what they try to make the world believe, that doesn’t take away from everyone’s personal challenges,” said Yvonne.

“I hope when people watch this, they see a bit of themselves. It’s okay not to be okay.”

The cast also shared their excitement about the characters audiences will love and hate.

While Chris Pang’s Andrew Fung may become the character viewers enjoy despising, Lee Jae-yoon’s Jon Kim emerged as one of the cast’s favourite characters.

With his calm presence and positive portrayal, Jon Kim represents a different kind of strength within the high-stakes world of THE SEASON.

For Jessie Mei Li, stepping into the role of Cola Pierce came with its own preparation challenges as her character becomes the centre of attention.

The actress shared that she wanted Cola to embody strength and resilience, preparing physically to capture the character’s determination.

“I wanted her to feel like a fighter, someone who is strong,” Jessie said.

Justin Chien, known for his action-heavy roles in previous projects including The Brothers Sun, also found the experience of playing David Ho a different challenge.

Justin Chien, known for his action-heavy roles in previous projects including The Brothers Sun, also found the experience of playing David Ho a different challenge.

Instead of expressing emotions through physical action, Justin explored a more internal journey.

“In other shows, you can put out your frustrations through physical action, like through a punch. But for this character, David takes it out on himself,” he explained.

Ultimately, THE SEASON is a story about people — regardless of status, wealth or background.

Created and executive produced by Yalun Tu, with acclaimed Chilean director Marialy Rivas serving as lead director and executive producer, the series brings together an international creative team to deliver a drama filled with glamour, secrets and emotional depth.

Janice Lee, Managing Director of PCCW Media Group and CEO of Viu, said the global release marks an exciting milestone for the series.

“This is a global story set in Hong Kong, and we are thrilled to partner with SK Global and our platform partners to share it with viewers everywhere,” she said.

With its mix of luxury, drama, romance, betrayal and complex characters, THE SEASON promises to be the ultimate summer binge — a series where even the most powerful families are forced to confront the truth behind their perfect lives.

THE SEASON premieres globally in June 2026 on Viu, Hulu (US) and NowTV Hong Kong.