Forward Progress: Asian Actor Gets Chance To Say ‘He Triad Guy, Very Bad’ In Native Cantonese On New FOX Drama

LOS ANGELES, CA—In a huge step forward for Asian representation on television, FOX has announced that next week’s episode of 9-1-1: Lone Star will feature an actor speaking in their native Cantonese, with subtitles being used to translate his dialogue. Said FOX Television CEO Wayne Grand, “We care about showing the diversity and culture of all Americans, not just the 60-year-old ATV dealers who make up our audience.”

Henry Yeung, 28, will play shady businessman Yuen Wat-Ping in the acclaimed drama and will have the opportunity to say lines such as, “He triad guy, very bad,” “he no good, you stay away from him, white man”, and “go back to kitchen and work, woman, ai-ya,” in the language of his ancestors.

Leung, a graduate of Juilliard and noted for his work on the stage as Edgar in King Lear and Konstantin in The Seagull, has been waiting for his break on TV for many years. The role—which is exactly four lines and under a total of 50 words so as not to pay the actor a full-day rate—will see Leung inhabit the role of a short, fat businessman who may or may not hold the key to Rob Lowe uncovering a child trafficking ring inside of a Houston restaurant. 

Leung’s fourth and last line, “ahhhh no shoot me, strong white man, I give you anything, I give you girl,” may hint at the shocking plot developments to come in the moving and exciting episode.