A24 and Peacock are set to drop a cultural bomb with their upcoming crime drama series, Superfakes, a meticulously crafted dive into a dangerous black-market underworld, promising the sharp storytelling and distinctive aesthetic we’ve come to expect from an A24 production.
Superfakes centers on a small-time Chinatown luxury counterfeit dealer, portrayed by Lucy Liu, as she navigates a perilous criminal landscape to secure a respectable suburban life for her family. Powering this narrative are the visionary Safdie Brothers—known most for Good Time (2017) and Uncut Gems (2019)—serving as producers, and the brilliant Alice Ju, writer for the critically acclaimed series Beef, who created the series. This pedigree alone signals a project designed to resonate deeply with a global youth audience, blending gritty realism with poignant character study.
The series brings together a dynamic cast poised to make significant waves. Hong Kong’s own Bohan Phoenix, a Chinese-American rapper whose music graces platforms like Netflix, Disney, and NBA 2K, makes his highly anticipated acting debut. Phoenix, known for his 2024 album “Make You Proud,” brings a raw authenticity to his screen presence. Joining him are Michelle Jones Lee, a Los Angeles-based actor raised in China and educated in London—she’s also a bassist in the rock band, Overdue—and Keith Leung, a Hong Kong native and NYU Tisch graduate whose film I, Chinese garnered a DGA Student Film Award. These talents collectively represent a fresh, global perspective rarely seen on this scale.
With Superfakes announced as part of a series order from Peacock, the anticipation is palpable. The combination of A24’s signature style, the Safdie Brothers’ unique vision, Alice Ju’s proven writing prowess, and a cast embodying the new global youth movement suggests a series that will be more than entertainment—it stands to become a significant cultural touchstone.
Cover image via Asian Pop Weekly.
