Who is The Sympathizer star Hoa Xuande, appearing with Robert Downey Jr? The HBO-A24 adaptation of the Pulitzer prize-winning novel prompted the Aussie actor to reconnect with his Vietnamese roots
- HBO and A24 partnered up to produce new limited series The Sympathizer – adapted from the Pulitzer-winning novel by Viet Thanh Nguyen – with Oldboy director Park Chan-wook at the helm
- The Aussie star took a two-week crash course to refine his Vietnamese language skills to play The Captain, while the supporting cast features seasoned actors Sandra Oh, Kieu Chinh and Fred Nguyen Khan
Actor Hoa Xuande has just landed the biggest role of his life ... so far.
Also known as Hoa Xuan Nguyen, the relatively new name on the scene is starring alongside Hollywood heavyweights Robert Downey Jr and Sandra Oh in a new limited series The Sympathizer, released last month. Through acting on the show, the 36-year-old also had to come to terms with his own roots as an Australian of Vietnamese descent.
So, as we celebrate Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage (AAPI) month this May, let’s delve into Hoa’s past and learn more about the rising star.
What films and TV series has Hoa Xuande starred in?
While his role in the Downey-produced The Sympathizer marks the first time many audiences came to know of him, Hoa had in fact already scored one of his first Hollywood roles in 2016 – in the comedy series Ronny Chieng: International Student, produced by the Asian-Australian actor Chieng. He also starred in the 2021 live-action rendition of Cowboy Bebop.
That ultimately led him landing his role of The Captain in HBO-A24 drama The Sympathizer, a story about a Vietnamese double agent spy planted in the US after the Vietnam war who struggles to find himself as he juggles the two identities of being a Viet Cong spy and an American. The seven-part series is an adaptation of the Pulitzer-winning black comedy novel by Viet Thanh Nguyen.
Can Hoa Xuande speak Vietnamese?
Despite both his parents being Vietnamese, the Australian-raised actor didn’t quite embrace the language until he was picked to play The Captain. He had to take a two-week crash course to refine his Vietnamese language skills, according to Variety.