FX is adding serious auteur power to its development slate, with Havana Rose Liu set to lead a new crime drama pilot from Emmy-winning director Hiro Murai and celebrated filmmaker Wong Kar Wai. The project, which is scheduled to shoot in Bangkok later this month, pairs one of TV’s most visually daring directors with one of cinema’s most distinctive storytellers—an attention-grabbing combination for anyone following prestige television.
For viewers in the Tv & Video space, this announcement stands out not just because of the names involved, but because of the premise: a low-level criminal suddenly inherits part of a shadowy, influential corporation and is thrust into extreme wealth, power struggles, and escalating danger. With FX Productions and Searchlight Television behind it, the pilot already looks like one of the more intriguing development stories of the season.
Havana Rose Liu Takes the Lead in FX’s New Crime Drama
Havana Rose Liu will star as the central figure in the untitled pilot, which is based on an original story by Wong Kar Wai. The story follows a petty criminal whose life changes overnight after inheriting a stake in a mysterious and powerful corporate empire. That windfall opens the door to unimaginable privilege, but it also paints a target on her back as members of a ruthless elite begin to view her as a major threat.
The setup blends crime, class tension, corporate intrigue, and personal transformation—elements that fit well within FX’s reputation for stylish, character-driven storytelling. It also gives Havana Rose Liu a meaty lead role that could further elevate her profile after a run of increasingly high-profile projects.
A High-Caliber Creative Team Behind the Pilot
The pedigree behind this production is one of the main reasons the project is generating buzz. Hiro Murai will direct the pilot from a script by Charles Yu and Julia Cho. Yu is widely known for Interior Chinatown, while Cho’s credits include Turning Red and Elio. That combination suggests a project that could be emotionally intelligent, tonally layered, and visually ambitious.
Executive producers include Yu, Cho, and Murai alongside Carver Karaszewski, Claudia Shin, Kate Dean, Paul Schwartzman, and Wong Kar Wai. The pilot comes from FX Productions and Searchlight Television, two banners associated with premium, prestige-minded storytelling.
Why Hiro Murai’s Involvement Matters
Murai has become one of the most respected directors working across television and music-driven visual storytelling. He recently made history as the first Asian director to win the Emmy for comedy directing for Widow’s Bay, a major Apple horror-comedy hit he also executive produces. That win further cemented his reputation as a director capable of balancing atmosphere, sharp pacing, and emotional depth.
He also has a strong relationship with FX, where he has continued to build ambitious projects. His connection to the network makes this pilot especially noteworthy, as it suggests both creative trust and long-term strategic investment.
Wong Kar Wai Brings Auteur Prestige
Wong Kar Wai’s involvement gives the pilot instant global cachet. Best known for films such as Chungking Express and In the Mood for Love, Wong has long been celebrated for moody visual language, emotionally rich storytelling, and a singular cinematic style. More recently, his work on Blossoms Shanghai showed that his storytelling voice can translate effectively to long-form series television.
While this FX pilot is not being positioned as a direct Wong-directed TV series, his original story credit is a major creative hook. It raises expectations for a world that may be seductive, dangerous, and emotionally complex in equal measure.
Why Havana Rose Liu Is a Smart Casting Choice
Havana Rose Liu has been steadily building momentum with a slate that mixes indie credibility and mainstream potential. Many viewers first took notice of her breakout turn in Emma Seligman’s Bottoms, where she starred opposite Rachel Sennott and Ayo Edebiri. Since then, she has lined up projects with a range of acclaimed filmmakers, signaling an actor with both versatility and strong industry demand.
Her upcoming and recent work includes collaborations with:
- Nicolas Winding Refn on Her Private Hell
- Daniel Roher on Tuner
- John Carney on Power Ballad
- Jesse Eisenberg on The Debut
- Jenny Suen on Peaches
- Arkasha Stevenson on an untitled A24 horror project
That trajectory makes Havana Rose Liu an especially compelling fit for a project that appears to demand edge, charisma, and emotional range. In a role centered on sudden power, danger, and survival, she could have plenty of room to deliver a breakout TV performance.
What the Story Could Mean for FX’s Prestige TV Strategy
FX has built its brand around distinctive, filmmaker-driven series, and this pilot aligns perfectly with that identity. A crime drama about inherited power and elite paranoia has clear genre appeal, but the creative team suggests something more elevated than a conventional thriller. If the pilot moves forward to series, it could become a notable entry in the network’s ongoing push for sophisticated, cinematic television.
Several elements make this project especially promising:
- A fresh premise: It combines underworld drama with corporate mystery and social class warfare.
- Prestige creatives: Murai, Wong Kar Wai, Charles Yu, and Julia Cho bring serious artistic credibility.
- Rising-star lead: Havana Rose Liu has the momentum and intrigue to anchor a breakout role.
- International backdrop: Filming in Bangkok could add visual richness and global scope.
For FX, this kind of project also reinforces the network’s reputation as a home for bold, genre-adjacent storytelling that attracts top-tier talent from film and television alike.
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Conclusion
The FX pilot starring Havana Rose Liu already has the hallmarks of a project worth watching: an original crime-driven premise, a standout lead, and a creative team led by Hiro Murai and Wong Kar Wai. Whether it becomes a full series or remains one of the year’s most tantalizing pilot stories, the combination of talent and concept makes it a significant development in prestige TV. For anyone tracking the rise of Havana Rose Liu, this could mark a major next step in her ascent.
