Full Breakdown
Hulu Launches ‘The Season’: A Drama of Hong Kong’s Elite Boating World
6/18/2026, 1:02:10 PM
Premiere and Premise
The six-episode drama ‘The Season’ premiered on Hulu (and Disney+ for bundle subscribers) on June 17, 2024. It follows Cola, played by Jessie Mei Li, a U.S. newcomer who infiltrates Hong Kong’s ultra-exclusive summer yachting circuit, sparking a power struggle with the entrenched Hext family and escalating into scandal and murder.
Production and Setting
The series is produced by PCCW Media and SK Global, the team behind Crazy Rich Asians. Filming took place across Hong Kong, including the Sha Tin Racecourse—its first TV shoot—night scenes at Ocean Park, and gala sequences for the Shanghai Gala in episodes 5-6. Creators liken the tone to Succession, The White Lotus, and Crazy Rich Asians.
Costume Design and Cultural Significance
Costume designer Vera Chow used her Hong Kong background, noting a cultural bias toward modesty over revealing dress. Elite figures wear Gucci, Dior, Chanel, while newcomer Cola begins in simple attire that later becomes more structured and branded; the Shanghai Gala features a gown sourced from Ichijiku and Shanghai Tang.
Cast Insights and Critical Viewpoints
Actors emphasize moving beyond wealth caricatures. Toby Stephens warns rich characters can seem one-dimensional, but the script adds vulnerabilities. Jessie Mei Li says the show probes the cost of power, and Karena Lam calls Hong Kong a character, echoing Chris Pang’s note of the city’s duality.
Official Statements & Responses
Hulu’s press release describes ‘The Season’ as a drama about “the cost of power” among Hong Kong’s elite. The Crazy Rich Asians producers say the series shows the city’s “dualities.” Chow adds the wardrobe “reflects social hierarchy while respecting modesty.” Filming at Sha Tin Racecourse highlights a rarely seen side of Hong Kong.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We got to shoot at the Sha Tin Racecourse, the first time anyone's been allowed to shoot there. But then we see the local side of Hong Kong, too, and it's that duality that makes the experience really beautiful.” — Chris Pang, Actor
- “Characters can come across as sort of one-dimensional, kind of evil rich people who are just sort of sociopathic,” — Toby Stephens, Actor
- “but then we see what it does to people. What the cost is of becoming wealthy, and what you lose along the way.” — Jessie Mei Li, Actress
- “I’ve shot so many Hong Kong-produced films here, and it’s never been this way, in this kind of lens.” — Karena Lam, Actress
Why It Matters
The series blends drama, fashion, and Hong Kong locations to expose the city’s socioeconomic hierarchy and attitudes toward wealth. It also fuels discussion on Asian representation in Western streaming and highlights how costume design shapes narrative.
What's Next
All six episodes are available for streaming on Hulu and Disney+ as of June 17. The creators have not announced a renewal schedule, but the series’ reception may influence future projects exploring similar high-society settings in Asia.
