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Chris Pang, Jessie Mei Li, Karena Lam, and Toby Stephens Talk About Viu Original "The Season"

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<div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1781452368149metro talks interview with the cast of viu original the season part 1A.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Chris Pang, Jessie Mei Li, Karena Lam, and Toby Stephens during their online interview with Metro.Style | Courtesy of Viu Philippines</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>The season for revenge and revelations has arrived. Since its announcement and trailer reveal, <strong>Viu Original <em>THE SEASON</em></strong> has been a highly anticipated series for various reasons. </p><p>First of all, the six-part series is a champagne-fueled revenge drama, centered on<strong> Hong Kong</strong>’s elite. At the center of the story is the <strong>Hext family</strong> (led by <strong>Toby Stephens</strong> as Christopher Hext and <strong>Karena Lam</strong> as Fiona Hext), an influential, old-money institution. You also have Andrew Fung, the unapologetic rich guy, played by<strong> Chris Pang</strong>. Then came Cola (played by <strong>Jessie Mei Li</strong>), complicating things, sparking rivalries and alliances, and shaking the foundation of high society. </p><p>Sharing her first impressions of the script, Jessie told <strong>Metro.Style</strong>, “I think when I first read the scripts—I was given maybe the first three scripts to read, with the audition—and you know, I started reading. ‘It&#x27;s okay. Cool, cool, cool,’ and then I started to be really like, ‘Oh, okay!’ And the pace of each scene—it was like a rollicking kind of journey. And it got to the end of the episode. I want to know next, and it just had such an addictive storyline with so many different interweaving characters.”</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1781465582060Cola_logo.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Jessie Mei Li as Cola | Photo from Viu Philippines</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Second, <em>THE SEASON</em><em> </em>features a casting coup of international actors, making the project feel bigger than it already is. Jessie is an English actress born to an English mother and a Chinese father who was raised in Hong Kong. Chris is Australian and was born in Melbourne; his paternal grandparents are from Canton, China, but his dad was born and raised in Australia, while his mother was born in Taiwan and ultimately migrated to Australia. Karena was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, to a father from Hong Kong and a Taiwanese-Japanese mother. Toby was born in London, England, but his work has taken him to the United States and even India;<em> THE SEASON</em> marks the first time he worked on a project set in Asia, and he truly loved that environment.  </p><p>“It was wonderful working here. I mean, for me, it genuinely was a real treat to be working in Hong Kong. The entire crew was from Hong Kong,” Toby shared. “Also, what was great for me was working with an ensemble of actors, of which I was just a part. People from all over the place—from Hong Kong, from Australia, you know, Canada, America. It was a really sort of a multinational group of people, and I think that&#x27;s quite good for the project as well.”</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1781465807963Cola-and-Christoper_logo.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Chris Pang as Andrew Fung, Jessie Mei Li as Cola, and Toby Stephens as Christopher Hext | Photo courtesy of Viu Philippines</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>This is also why they feel <em>THE SEASON</em> will appeal to a wide range of audiences. It’s like a melting pot of cultures, so it has something for everybody. It’s the same description that is apt for<em> THE SEASON</em>’s setting: Hong Kong. The dynamic city is, after all, a go-to for people from across the world, whether for business or leisure.</p><p>Thirdly, in<em> THE SEASON</em>, the rich story is complemented by an equally rich backdrop—bustling and breathtaking. Karena, an artist and curator, emphasized how Hong Kong helps enrich the storytelling, saying, “Our cinematographer, <strong>Sergio [Delgado]</strong>, did such a wonderful job. It&#x27;s like he really captured Hong Kong in a different light. I mean, I&#x27;ve been filming in Hong Kong for a long time, so I&#x27;ve never seen Hong Kong like that, like this in <em>THE SEASON</em>. So I&#x27;m very excited. I just can&#x27;t wait for everyone to see how beautiful Hong Kong is.” </p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1781465950522Hext-Family_logo.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Kōki as Alison Hext, Toby Stephens as Christopher Hext, and Karena Lam as Fiona Hext | Photo courtesy of Viu Philippines</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Finally, the drama series was produced in partnership with <strong>SK Global</strong>,<strong></strong> the global entertainment company behind hits<strong><em> Crazy Rich Asians</em></strong>, <em><strong>Thai Cave Rescue</strong></em>, and<strong><em> Delhi Crime</em></strong>. Knowing that, Chris said, immediately gave him “the confidence to jump on board.” </p><p>“The team since <em>Crazy Rich Asians</em> has shifted a little bit. New people have come. People have left, but when I read the script, I was like, ‘Oh, this feels like an SKG production, right? It has all the elements there. It&#x27;s got great characters. It&#x27;s got great story… It&#x27;s flashy that draws you in, so it&#x27;s got depth. It was something that, added with the fact of what Toby was saying about filming in Hong Kong, you just wanted to be a part of. So, I feel very lucky to be here. I&#x27;m excited for everyone to see it.” </p><p><em>THE SEASON</em> is brought to life by a visionary creative team. It is created and executive produced by <strong>Yalun Tu</strong>, known for his work on <em>NCIS: Hawaii </em>and projects with Amazon Japan and HBO Asia. Acclaimed Chilean director <strong>Marialy Rivas </strong>(<em>The Jetty</em>, <em>Perry Mason</em>) serves as lead director and executive producer. <strong>Janice Lee</strong>, CEO, PCCW Media Group &amp; Viu, and <strong>Agatha Lo </strong>serve as executive producers for PCCW Media. The series is executive produced for SK Global by <strong>Chloe Dan</strong>, EVP, Head of Television, alongside <strong>Matt Aragachi</strong> and <strong>Dylan Tarason</strong>.</p><p>The premium drama series marks a multi-platform debut across Viu, Hulu (U.S.), and Now TV (Hong Kong). Janice Lee, CEO, PCCW Media Group &amp; Viu said, “We are looking forward to bringing <em>THE SEASON</em> to audiences around the world—on Viu, Hulu, Now TV and more platforms—this summer. Set against the pulsating energy of Hong Kong and its spectacular cityscape, we believe THE SEASON, at its core, is a story of redemption with characters who will resonate with audiences globally.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1781466143602Andrew_logo.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Chris Pang as Andrew Fung | Photo courtesy of Viu Philippines</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Now, with all the storylines and plot twists combined in one compelling, intriguing, and exciting narrative, we asked the lead cast what season best represents <em>THE SEASON</em>. Is it winter, spring, summer, or fall? Jessie, Karena, and Toby agreed:<em> THE SEASON</em> feels like summer. “It’s got the energy of summer, the warmth,” Toby said.  </p><p>But Chris argued: “I&#x27;m thinking spring. You know why? Because spring is after everything dies and it comes back, and the new blossom is spring, right? And I think the story of <em>THE SEASON</em> is about these characters going through a metamorphosis, and then springing [into] the new version of themselves.” </p><p>Mic drop, and all four of them laughed. “Spring it is!” </p><p>But no need to wait for spring, because <em>THE SEASON</em> is here, and it’s looking a lot like it’s worth binge-watching and rewatching no matter the season. </p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1781466307843Dining-with-Sharks_logo.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Cola dining with Hong Kong&#x27;s elite | Photo courtesy of Viu Philippines</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><strong><em>Catch our full Metro Talks interview with Chris Pang, Jessie Mei Li, Karena Lam, and Toby Stephens soon.</em></strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong><em>Watch THE SEASON on Viu on June 17, 2026.</em></strong></div>

<p>Set against the pulsating energy of Hong Kong and its spectacular cityscape, "The Season" offers a compelling, intriguing, and exciting story that's expected to resonate with viewers globally. </p>

Set against the pulsating energy of Hong Kong and its spectacular cityscape, "The Season" offers a compelling, intriguing, and exciting story that's expected to resonate with viewers globally.

The Season That Best Describes Viu Original “The Season,” According to Lead Stars Chris, Jessie, Karena, and Toby

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The Season That Best Describes Viu Original “The Season,” According to Lead Stars Chris, Jessie, Karena, and Toby

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Published June 15, 2026 10:05 AM PHT

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Updated June 15, 2026 10:25 AM PHT

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