Netflix reveals Chinese-language slate with Taiwanese series, ‘Warriors Of Future’ acquisition

Netflix is to boost its Chinese-language line-up of content with a slate of features and series, led by Taiwanese fantasy show Agent From Above and the acquisition of Hong Kong blockbuster Warriors Of Future.

Agent From Above will be a fantasy series rooted in traditional Taiwanese beliefs, produced by Singapore’s mm2 Entertainment and Taiwan’s Good Films Production. Directed by Donnie Lai with Good Films’ Rita Chuang as lead producer, the series will explore a universe of gods, monsters, humans, and ghosts, in which a former drug addict is recruited to do the bidding of Chinese god San Tai Zi as redemption for his sins. Taiwanese star Kai Ko will lead the cast.

“We’re committed to investing in and creating high-quality Chinese-language shows that we know will appeal to more audiences in Taiwan and around the world,” said Netflix Chinese-language content manager Jerry Zhang. “We hope our projects will uplift the entertainment industry in Taiwan and introduce local stories to the world through our global platform.”

The streamer has also acquired Warriors Of Future, which became the highest grossing Chinese-language film in Hong Kong of all time following its release on August 25. Louis Koo stars in the sci-fi, directed by Ng Yuen Fai, in which an alien vine crashes on a barren Earth ravaged by pollution. But when the military tries to destroy the organism, they unearth a conspiracy. Netflix will stream the feature from December 2.

Also announced today is The Nipple Talk, a Taiwanese LGBTQ+ series in which three friends of different genders and sexual orientations balance love and lust in their quest for a relationship. Produced by Taipei-based Sequoia Entertainment, it will be directed by Lincoln Lai and star Lin Szu-yu, Bryan Chang, Lu Xia and Kaiser Chuang.

Previously announced titles include thriller mysteries Copycat Killer and season two of The Victims’ Game, both made by Greener Grass Production.

Copycat Killer is a Taiwanese series set in 1990s Taipai and follows a prosecutor, his partner and a reporter as they work to catch a serial killer. A release is set for the first quarter of 2023. The Victims’ Game marks the first Chinese-language production to be renewed by Netflix and will begin filming next year with the original cast returning.

• AFM 2022: hot projects from Hong Kong and China