Kung Fu! Everything You Need to Know About the New CW Martial Arts Series

Author:
K.L. Connie Wang
Apr 6, 2021

© 2021 The CW Network, LLC — Olivia Liang as Nicky Shen

It seems like reboots are all the rage. Shows like Magnum P.I. and Walker, Texas Ranger are finding new audiences with the next generation of fans. Reboots with a gender switch are even more popular than your standard reboot. There's purportedly an all-female Pirates of the Caribbean in the works with Margot Robbie as the lead. CBS's The Equalizer starring Queen Latifah as the titular character has been a ratings boon for the network. Now, The CW is about to launch a reboot of Kung Fu.

What is Kung Fu about?

When Nicky Shen (Olivia Liang) has a quarter-life crisis while on a cultural tour of China, she decides to drop out of college to go on a life-changing journey at an isolated monastery. After spending three years there, the monastery is attacked and her mentor killed by a mysterious assassin. These events cause Nicky to return home to San Francisco where she finds her neighborhood overrun with crime and corruption and her own parents at the mercy of a powerful Triad.

Is Kung Fu based on other material?

Kung Fu is inspired by the 1972 series of the same name. The original series ran for three years on ABC and was created by Ed Spielman. There are assertions that the concept of the show about a Shaolin monk who travels through the American Old West was based on ideas from Bruce Lee. Lee had also auditioned for the lead role but was ultimately passed over for David Carradine. Bruce Lee's writings and ideas were later developed into the 2019 Cinemax series, Warrior.

Who is involved with the production of Kung Fu?

Christina M. Kim(Lost, Blindspot) wrote the pilot episode and serves as executive producer/co-showrunner of the series with Robert Berens. Greg Berlanti (Riverdale, Stargirl, Supergirl), Sarah Schechter(Black Lightning, The Flash),Martin Gero(Blindspot, Dark Matter) and David Madden (Runaway Bride, Save the Last Dance) also serve as executive producers. Hanelle Culpepper (Star Trek: Picard, Big Sky) is directing and co-executive producing the pilot episode.

When does Kung Fu premiere?

Kung Fu premieres on Wednesday, April 7 at 8 p.m. ET on The CW.

What day is Kung Fu on?

Kung Fu's regular time slot is Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on The CW.

How can I watch Kung Fu?

You can watch Kung Fu on The CW on Wednesday nights at 8 p.m. ET. Episodes are available to stream for free the next day on The CW app.

Who's in the cast of Kung Fu?

Olivia Liang (Nicky Shen)

Nicky is a young woman who drops out of college and takes refuge at a monastery. By the end of the first episode, Nicky is tasked with a quest that leads her back home to San Francisco.

Where you might have seen her:Liang played Alyssa Chang on Legacies.

Fun fact: Liang is fluent in Mandarin.

Pictured (L-R): Eddie Liu as Henry Yan and Olivia Liang as Nicky Shen -- Photo: Bettina Strauss/The CW -- © 2021 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved

Eddie Liu (Henry Yan)

Henry is a martial arts instructor and a Chinese art history buff who shares an instant attraction with Nicky.

Where you might have seen him:Liu played Steve on Netflix's Never Have I Ever.

Pictured (L-R): Tzi Ma as Jin Shen and Olivia Liang as Nicky Shen -- Photo: Katie Yu/The CW -- © 2021 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved

Tzi Ma (Jin Shen)

Nicky's father is a small business owner in San Francisco's Chinatown.

Where you might have seen him: The better question might be, "Where haven't you seen him?" Ma has over a hundred acting credits to his name. He most likely played a father or grandfather in one of the films and television shows you've seen him in. His most recent credits include Netflix's Tigertail and Disney's live action version of Mulan. Both of which he played, you guessed it, the father.

Kheng Hua Tan (Mei-Li Shen)

Mei-Li is Nicky's mom, who is still upset with her daughter for joining a Shaolin monastery instead of settling down to start a family. With the family business struggling, the Shen matriarch takes matters into her own hands with dire consequences.

Where you might have seen her: Tan played the Empress Dowager in the Netflix series, Marco Polo.

Shannon Dang (Althea Shen)

Althea is Nicky's sister, who has both beauty and brains. She is engaged to Dennis (Tony Chung), the nerdy mathlete in high school who has shed his nerd status.

Fun fact: Dang spent several seasons as a dancer for the NBA Clippers, the NFL Rams, and the WNBA Sparks.

Ryan Shen (Jon Prasida)

Ryan is Nicky's medical student brother. He's quick with the wit and is soon in awe of his sister after he sees her martial arts prowess.

Fun fact: Prasida is Australian.

Gavin Stenhouse (Evan Hartley)

Gavin is an Assistant District Attorney and Nicky's ex-boyfriend.

Fun fact: Stenhouse was born and raised in Hong Kong.

Vanessa Kai (Pei-Ling Zhang)

Pei-Ling is Nicky's Sifu, or mentor, at the monastery where she first seeks refuge. She's a skilled fighter and spiritual guide. After she is killed, she appears to Nicky during times of reflection and trouble to offer her guidance and remind her of her teachings at the monastery.

Fun fact: Kai has an extensive theatre background and is a native New Yorker.