Television is increasingly becoming a platform for telling the stories of immigrants, offering a rich and varied exploration of the complexities that come with navigating multiple identities. These narratives go deeply into the struggle for belonging, as individuals balance the weight of their cultural heritage with the pressures of adapting to new mainstream societal expectations. These shows illuminate the emotional and psychological toll of trying to forge an identity in a world that often sees you as “the other”. 

By highlighting themes of cultural conflict, generational divides and the quest for self-acceptance, these stories resonate universally, reminding us that the search for identity is one of the most powerful human experiences.

Moxie (2021)

Moxie, directed by Amy Poehler, follows 16-year-old Vivian Carter (Hadley Robinson) as she launches an anonymous feminist zine called Moxie to combat sexism at her high school and confront the bullying and misogyny of the school’s golden boy, Mitchell Wilson. The zine sparks heated discussions and empowers female students to challenge the status quo, igniting a movement for equality and justice.

Alongside the lead character, Vivian’s best friend Claudia (Lauren Tsai) adds depth to the narrative by representing the complexities of second-generation immigrant experiences. As a Chinese-American student, Claudia embodies the challenges of modern activism through the lens of her cultural background. While she shares Vivian’s values, Claudia hesitates to fully engage in the movement due to the immense pressure from her family to prioritise academic success. Ultimately, she takes responsibility for the zine and faces suspension.

This leads to a pivotal moment where Claudia has a heartfelt breakdown, telling Vivian that she doesn’t understand her struggles because she’s white. Claudia passionately reveals the immense weight of her family’s sacrifices and the crushing expectations placed on her. She speaks of the struggles her parents endured to immigrate and provide her with opportunities, making the risk of challenging the status quo in pursuit of equality even more daunting for someone like her. This scene underscores the intersection of race, privilege and activism, shedding light on how these factors shape individuals’ willingness and ability to participate in social justice movements.

Lauren Tsai delivers an authentic portrayal of Claudia, drawing from her own experiences as a mixed-race American to navigate the nuanced intersection of identity, family obligations and social justice. Through humour and lived experience brought into the story-making of the film, Moxie celebrates the power of grassroots efforts to challenge systemic injustices. The film demonstrates that meaningful change comes through both bold statements and quiet acts of defiance, all driven by the courage to speak truth to power.

Fresh Off the Boat (2015-2020)

Fresh Off the Boat is a sitcom that provides a comedic yet deep exploration of the immigrant experience in the United States. Based on Eddie Huang’s memoir, the series follows the Huang family, Taiwanese immigrants adjusting to life in 1990s suburban Orlando. It examines their cultural assimilation, intergenerational conflicts and pursuit of the American Dream while exploring universal themes of identity, belonging and the challenges of navigating two worlds.

The show focuses on the tension between preserving cultural heritage and adapting to American society. Louis Huang (Randall Park), the optimistic father, opens a Western-style steakhouse to build a better life for his family, while his wife, Jessica (Constance Wu), insists on maintaining their Taiwanese roots. Their son, Eddie (Hudson Yang), represents the challenges faced by second-generation immigrants, struggling to balance his parents’ traditional expectations with his desire to fit into American culture.

The show also highlights the generational divide between immigrant parents and their American-born children, particularly as the teens strive to fit in with their white American peers, yearning for acceptance and belonging in a world that often sees them as outsiders. Jessica’s strict, traditional approach to parenting often conflicts with Eddie’s desire for independence and Americanisation. Eddie’s younger brothers, Emery (Forrest Wheeler) and Evan (Ian Chen), epitomise the “model minority” stereotype, excelling in academics and social settings. This creates a stark contrast with Eddie’s more rebellious nature, intensifying the tension between him and his parents, who view success through a traditional, Asian lens of conformity and achievement. This dynamic adds depth to the family’s relationships and highlights the differing pressures on each generation.

Fresh Off the Boat was a significant milestone for Asian-American representation on television. While the show faced some criticism for deviating from the source material in Eddie Huang’s memoir, its success in normalising Asian-American experiences and putting the spotlight on Asian lives – and by extension Asian faces in Hollywood – cannot be overstated. By using humour to address complex issues such as racism, cultural misunderstanding and generational divides, Fresh Off the Boat became a platform for immigrant voices and offered a more inclusive portrayal of American life. The series paved the way for projects like Crazy Rich Asians and Pachinko, which continue to challenge Hollywood’s representation of Asian communities.

Kim’s Convenience (2016-2021)

Kim’s Convenience offers a heartfelt and humorous portrayal of the immigrant experience in Canada through the lens of the Korean-Canadian Kim family, who run a small convenience store in Toronto. The series touches on the complexities of family dynamics, cultural identity and generational clashes, exploring how the Kims navigate life between their traditional Korean heritage and their new life in a diverse, multicultural Canada.

At the centre of the show is Mr. Kim (Paul Sun-Hyung Lee), a proud, stubborn immigrant father who believes in hard work and family loyalty but often struggles to understand the changing values of his children. His wife, Mrs. Kim (Jean Yoon), is a warm, caring presence who often plays the role of the peacekeeper, balancing appa (dad)’s rigid traditionalism with a more open-minded approach to their children’s lives. Together, they raise two children, each of whom represents a different aspect of the immigrant experience.

Janet (Andrea Bang), the Kim daughter, is a determined and independent young woman with aspirations of becoming a photographer. Her career choice often puts her at odds with her more traditional parents, who view this creative path as frivolous and not worth pursuing. Her courage to speak her mind and pursue her own path offers a refreshing perspective on the immigrant journey, highlighting the tension between honouring one’s heritage and forging a new identity. Jung (Simu Liu), her older brother, embodies the “bad boy” archetype. His strained relationship with Mr. Kim has pushed him to distance himself from the family business and forge his own path, though not without emotional baggage and the constant pressure of knowing his lifestyle is disapproved of by his cultural community.

The show’s brilliance lies in its witty dialogue, richly developed characters and the way it tackles issues like family loyalty, generational misunderstandings and cultural assimilation. Though deeply rooted in the Korean-Canadian immigrant experience, Kim’s Convenience captures the struggles of balancing tradition with change by exploring universal themes of family love, personal growth and the complexities of belonging. The show’s storytelling resonates with viewers from all walks of life, making it a standout show in the landscape of immigrant stories on television.

This Is Going to Hurt (2022)

This Is Going to Hurt is currently running for one season and is a British medical dramedy based on Adam Kay’s memoir about his time as a junior doctor in the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). The series is a dark comedy and presents an emotionally charged look at the highs and lows of working in an overstretched healthcare system. While the show primarily focuses on Adam Kay’s personal and professional struggles, it also highlights the challenges faced by immigrant healthcare workers, such as Shruti, in the NHS diverse and multicultural institution.

Shruti, a junior doctor, brings the immigrant experience to the forefront. Her character embodies the dedication, hard work and determination of many immigrant healthcare workers striving to make a meaningful impact on their patients’ lives. She is committed to excelling in her profession and making her parents proud, all while staying true to herself in a demanding career. As Shruti navigates the challenges of the medical field, she faces the added pressures of cultural expectations and the complexities of working in a system that can be especially tough for those from outside the country.

What’s compelling about Shruti’s portrayal is that the show doesn’t make her foreign background the central theme of her character; instead, it integrates this aspect into the broader narrative. Her experience adds an important layer to the story, shedding light on the often-overlooked immigrant workforce within the NHS, without overshadowing the primary focus of the series.

Through Shruti, the show offers a nuanced look at the realities faced by immigrants in high-stakes professions, balancing ambition with the cultural and systemic hurdles that often come with working in a foreign country.

Skins (2007-2013)

Skins is a British teen drama series that follows a group of teenagers living in Bristol, navigating the turbulent years of adolescence, dealing with themes like friendship, love, mental health, substance abuse, sexuality and the challenges of growing up. Each season introduces a new generation of characters, with the first two focusing on the lives of a group of friends whose complex relationships and struggles are at the heart of the show.

The first season introduces us to Anwar Kharral (Dev Patel), a British-Pakistani teenager who navigates the complexities of his heritage while trying to fit in with his friends in the multicultural but sometimes hostile world of Bristol. Throughout the show, Anwar’s experience highlights the tension between his traditional Muslim upbringing and the more liberal, hedonistic lifestyle his friends embrace.

One of the key themes in Anwar’s storyline is his sense of identity. He feels conflicted about his religion, sexual identity and the expectations placed upon him by his family and culture. This tension becomes particularly evident in his struggles with his faith and desire for freedom, as he feels torn between his family’s values and the temptations of Western culture.

This internal conflict is particularly evident in his relationship with his father, who holds rigid religious views and expects Anwar to follow the same strict path, with no room for flexibility or adaptation to the ever-changing dynamics of life in the UK, let alone the wider world. The show does not shy away from depicting the generational and cultural gaps that shape his experience, showcasing the complexities of a different identity through his personal journey. Anwar’s struggles reflect broader issues faced by many young immigrants or second-generation children of immigrants in the UK, who often find themselves caught between two worlds: the values of their cultural background and the pressures of the mainstream society they live in.