Are you ready for Asian Summer? Asian Americans heating up summer film and television

From top right, clockwise: Hustler, My Spy, Shaw & Hobbs, Yesterday, Andi Mack and The Terror.

UPDATED July 26 to include premiere of 'A Little Late With Lilly Singh.'

Asian August begat Asian Spring, which in turn begats Asian Summer.

Nearly invisible in the decades before last year, the presence of Asian . American and Pacific Islander actors and characters in movies and television in the past 12 months iat unprecedented levels.

Before we begin listing the entertainment options for movie goers and couch potatoes, we need to remind readers that despite the so-called "historic level" of AAPI movies and TV series, spurred by success of  The Big Sick, Crazy Rich Asians, Fresh Off the Boat and Killing Eve, Hollywood still has a long way to go to open their studios to AAPI projects and give opportunities for AAPI actors.

Asian Spring ended with the impressive premieres of Plus One,  starring Maya Erskine, Always Be My Maybe with Randall Park and Ally Wong, and Late Show, written and produced by Mindy Kaling. Those movies along with the Keanu Reeves hit John Wick 3 and live-action movie of Aladdin will play throughout the summer and will likely end up on one of the streaming networks before long.

ASIAN SUMMER, JUNE 21-SEPT.23

Andi Mack, featuring a mixed Asian American family in the coming-of-age dramedy, launched its third and final season June 21, the first day of summer. You can still catch up on past episodes at the Disney Channel.

Yesterday, a cute, what-if film with an interesting premise. Himesh Patel plays the central character Jack Malik, an English singer who wakes up in a world where the pop-group Beatles never existed. He plays their songs and becomes a celebrity. The film was released to theaters June 28.

The Farewell starring Awkwafina, who shows her acting chops in the critically acclaimed and award-winning family drama as an Asian American seeking her identity, will hit the big screens July 12.

Stuber, the action-comedy breaks the seeming groove of AAPI rom-com projects starring the all-Asian team of rough-and-tough police detective Dave Bautista and out-of-his- element Uber driver Kumail Nanjiani premieres July 12.

Secret Obsession: Story revolves around a woman (Brenda Song) who wakes up with amnesia after a traumatic attack. Her doting husband cares for her. But she soon realizes the danger is far from over. Available on Netflix beginning July 17.

Wu Assassins, a 10-episode crime series with supernatural elements. It stars Indonesian martial artist Iko Uwais as Kai Jin, who becomes the latest and last Wu Assassin, chosen to round up the powers of an ancient triad and restore the universe to normalcy. Netflix premieres this actioner on Aug. 8.

The Terror: Infamy. The much-anticipated second season of fright-inducing The Terror TV series will take place in a concentration camp for Japanese Americans during WWII debuts Aug. 12 on AMC. Cast includes Derek Mio, Kiki Sukezane, Shingo Usami, Naoko Mori, Miki Ishikawa, and George Takei.

International Student, an Australian comedy series based on comedian Ronny Cheing's exploits as a law student will be available on the Comedy Central network starting Aug. 13.

My Spy is a comedy starring the the much-in demand Dave Bautista as a CIA agent at the mercy of a precocious 9-year old girl. The movie, which also stars Ken Jeong, is set to hit theaters Aug. 23. (UPDATE July 11: On July 10, the studio announced that this film has been postponed to early 2020.)

Four Weddings and A Funeral. Mindy Kaling produced this 10-episode remake of the popular rom-com movie with a diverse cast reflective of today's Asian-majority London. It debuts on Netflix Aug. 31.

Hustler, Constance Wu's first film after the now-historic Crazy Rich Asians hit has her working the world's oldest profession in the Jennifer Lopez production which also stars Cardi B, launches Sept. 13.

Shaw and Hobbs, Samoan American Dwayne Johnson saves the world in this actioner, a spin-off from the Fast & Furious franchise, will be released Sept. 15.

A Little Late With Lilly Singh, the first Asian American late night talk show host premieres her NBC show on Sept. 16, 1:35 a.m. starring Youtube star Singh.

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I'm not sure if we are in the midst of a golden era for Asian American pop culture or if it is just a passing phase, but looking further ahead for the balance of 2019, we have even more Asian and Asian American offerings in the pipeline for the most critical time of year for films and TV series from September through the holidays, 

Have a great summer at the movies or cuddled up on your couch. Check back with us in September for further updates.

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