Series synopsis
Asian Americans is an American documentary war & politics television series that premiered on PBS on May 11, 2020. It ended on May 13, 2020. It stars Daniel Dae Kim, Tamlyn Tomita, Sandra Oh and Greg Watanabe.
This five-part series traces the story of Asian Americans, spanning 150 years of immigration, racial politics, international relations, and cultural innovation. It is a timely, clear-eyed look at the vital role that Asian Americans have played in defining who we are as a nation. Their stories are a celebration of the grit and resilience of a people that reflects the experience of all Americans.
Premise
This five-part series traces the story of Asian Americans, spanning 150 years of immigration, racial politics, international relations, and cultural innovation. It is a timely, clear-eyed look at the vital role that Asian Americans have played in defining who we are as a nation. Their stories are a celebration of the grit and resilience of a people that reflects the experience of all Americans.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Daniel Dae Kim as Narrator (voice)
- Tamlyn Tomita as Narrator (voice)
- Sandra Oh as Self
- Greg Watanabe as Self
- Sessue Hayakawa as Self
- Anna May Wong as Self (archive footage)
Episodes
This series spans 1 season with 5 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 5 | May 11, 2020 | May 13, 2020 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Breaking Ground In an era of exclusion and U.S. empire, new immigrants arrive from China, India, Japan, the Philippines and beyond. Barred by anti-Asian laws they become America’s first “undocumented immigrants,” yet they build railroads, dazzle on the silver screen, and take their fight for equality to the U.S. Supreme Court. |
May 11, 2020 |
| 2 |
A Question of Loyalty An American-born generation straddles their country of birth and their parents’ homelands in Japan and Korea. Those loyalties are tested during World War II, when families are imprisoned in detention camps, and brothers find themselves on opposite sides of the battle lines. |
May 11, 2020 |
| 3 |
Good Americans During the Cold War years, Asian Americans are simultaneously heralded as a Model Minority, and targeted as the perpetual foreigner. It is also a time of bold ambition, as Asian Americans aspire for the first time to national political office and a coming culture-quake simmers beneath the surface. |
May 12, 2020 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | PBS |
|---|---|
| First aired | May 11, 2020 |
| Last aired | May 13, 2020 |
| Runtime | 60 minutes |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday at 20:00:00 |