3 days ago
- 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.
