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Time of India
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Islanders global release: Where to stream the cross-regional Taiwanese drama and when it premieres
Taiwan is set to make another global splash in television with the release of Islanders, a gripping new drama arriving on July 18. Its worldwide rollout is a major step for Taiwanese content, becoming only the second series from the country - after The World Between Us: After the Flames - to stream internationally on Prime Video. Unmasking scandal in the digital age Islanders takes viewers to the early 2010s, as Taipei's social norms begin to fracture under the weight of rising online culture. The series centers on a respected businessman whose carefully constructed life begins to unravel when his romantic entanglements - with his wife, a longtime mistress, and a younger lover - are thrust into public view after a viral outburst at a private dinner. As his influence wanes and resurges in unexpected ways, his loyal assistant faces a personal reckoning in a society where reputation, loyalty, and progress collide. A diverse, award-winning cast Leading the drama is Christopher Lee, a household name across Southeast Asia. Joining him are Wu Kang-Jen, a two-time winner at both the Golden Horse and Golden Bell Awards; Rima Zeidan, celebrated for her emotionally rich performances; veteran talent Yu Tzu-Yu; and Japanese actor Yusuke Fukuchi. Direction is handled by Ler Jiyuan - best known for Invisible Stories on HBO Asia - and Tsai Pao-Chang, a veteran of Taiwan's theatre scene. The production was shot in Taiwan and across the U.S., including sequences in New York and Alaska. Streaming availability across regions In Taiwan, Singapore, and Indonesia, Islanders will stream on Catchplay+, while Line TV (Taiwan) and Now TV (Hong Kong) will carry the series in their respective regions. For global viewers, Islanders will stream on Prime Video in over 240 countries and territories — with the exception of Taiwan, South Korea, China, Hong Kong, and Macau. The series will also air weekly on the Catchplay Movie Channel in Taiwan. A literary adaptation with cinematic scale The series is adapted from Islands, a novel by Lolita (Ching-Fang) Hu, who is acclaimed for her nuanced explorations of Taiwanese identity, morality, and shifting generational values. Behind the production is Screenworks Asia, the original content arm of Catchplay+, co-producing with Jollify Creative. Founded in 2020 in partnership with the Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA), Screenworks aims to develop world-class Taiwanese programming with cross-border appeal.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Taiwanese Drama ‘Islanders' Sets International Prime Video Bow
Taiwanese drama series 'Islanders' is gearing up for a simultaneous global launch across multiple platforms. The series will stream on Catchplay+ in Taiwan, Singapore and Indonesia, as well as Line TV in Taiwan and Now TV in Hong Kong. For international audiences, Prime Video will carry the show across more than 240 countries and territories worldwide, excluding Taiwan, South Korea, China, Hong Kong and Macau. The series will also air Sundays on the Catchplay Movie Channel. More from Variety Taiwan Makes Its Mark at Annecy With VR Innovation and Diverse Animation Slate Taiwan Powers Into Berlinale With Four-Film Slate Led By LGBTQ+ Crime Drama Taiwan-Singapore Agree Cooperation on First Day of Taiwan Creative Content Fest 'Islanders' follows the unraveling of a powerful businessman whose relationships with his wife, longtime mistress and much younger partner come under public scrutiny. When a heated dinner table argument goes viral, his downfall and unexpected resurgence place him at the center of nationwide controversy, while his once-loyal assistant begins questioning his beliefs and searching for new meaning. Set in early 2010s Taipei during the rise of social media, the series examines generational rifts, shifting identities and the emotional toll of public opinion in Taiwan's rapidly evolving society. The production boasts a cross-regional ensemble cast led by Christopher Lee, a well-known name in Singapore and Malaysia, alongside Wu Kang-Jen, a Golden Horse and Golden Bell Award-winning actor. The cast also features Rima Zeidan, recipient of both Taipei Film Awards and Golden Horse Awards, veteran actor Yu Tzu-Yu, and Japanese actor Yusuke Fukuchi. The series is co-directed by Singaporean filmmaker Ler Jiyuan, known for 'Invisible Stories' on HBO Asia, and acclaimed Taiwanese theater director Tsai Pao-Chang. Principal photography took place across Taiwan and the U.S., including locations in New York and Alaska. Produced by Screenworks Asia, the production arm of Catchplay, in collaboration with Jollify Creative, 'Islanders' is adapted from the award-winning novel 'Islands' by Lolita (Ching-Fang) Hu, an author celebrated for her explorations of contemporary social issues. 'Islanders' represents the second Taiwanese series following 'The World Between Us: After the Flames' to secure a global Prime Video release. Screenworks Asia was founded in 2020 as the production subsidiary of Taiwan-based streaming platform Catchplay+ in a joint venture with the Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA), with a mandate to accelerate production of premium content across different genres. 'Islanders' premieres July 18. Best of Variety 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week
