Watch Warrior

Warrior is a thrilling American television series created by Jonathan Tropper and inspired by an original concept by Bruce Lee. The show first premiered on Cinemax in April 2019 and later on Netflix in April 2020. It is set in the late 19th century in San Francisco and follows the story of a young martial arts prodigy, Ah Sahm (Andrew Koji), who emigrates from China to the United States in search of his sister.

As soon as Ah Sahm arrives in San Francisco, he finds himself in the middle of a violent turf war between two rival Chinatown tongs (gangs) fighting for control of the lucrative opium trade. Ah Sahm quickly gains a reputation as a formidable fighter and becomes a valuable asset to one of the tongs, the Hop Wei, led by Father Jun (Hoon Lee). However, Ah Sahm's allegiance is constantly tested as he navigates his way through layers of corruption and betrayal within the tong and the larger society, which is deeply entrenched in racism and bigotry.

Olivia Cheng plays Ah Toy, a courtesan and businesswoman who becomes a mentor and ally to Ah Sahm as he navigates the treacherous underbelly of San Francisco's criminal underworld. Jason Tobin plays Young Jun, Father Jun's son and the unofficial leader of the Hop Wei, who is both a loyal friend and a formidable adversary to Ah Sahm. Dianne Doan plays Mai Ling, Ah Sahm's sister who is now married to the leader of the rival tong, the Long Zii. Mai Ling's ambition and ruthlessness put her at odds with her brother and everyone else around her.

The show boasts an impressive ensemble cast that brings to life a diverse array of complex characters. Kieran Bew plays Officer "Big Bill" O'Hara, a corrupt Irish cop who befriends Ah Sahm and tries to profit from the chaos in Chinatown. Dean Jagger plays Dan Leary, a charismatic and unscrupulous Irishman who runs an underground fight club and serves as a foil to Ah Sahm's honor and martial arts skill. Joanna Vanderham plays Penelope Blake, a wealthy and progressive socialite who becomes romantically involved with Ah Sahm and challenges his worldview.

Tom Weston-Jones plays Richard Lee, a wealthy businessman who is also Ah Sahm's benefactor and employer. Hoon Lee's Father Jun is a wise and compassionate leader who tries to maintain order and protect his people amidst the turmoil. Langley Kirkwood plays Walter Buckley, a powerful and influential politician who pulls the strings behind the scenes and has his own agenda for Chinatown. Christian McKay plays Mayor Samuel Blake, Penelope's father and a politician who tries to balance his ideals with the realities of his office.

Joe Taslim, Dustin Nguyen, Celine Buckens, Miranda Raison, Chen Tang, and Maria-Elena Laas are among the recurring cast members who add their own dynamic contributions to the show. The action scenes and fight choreography are also a standout feature of the series, showcasing the different styles and techniques of martial arts and highlighting the athleticism and skill of the cast.

Overall, Warrior is a gripping and immersive series that combines historical drama, action, and social commentary with Bruce Lee's vision and influence. It explores themes of identity, loyalty, power, discrimination, and justice in a rich and complex way, while also maintaining a brisk pace and a compelling narrative arc. The show's blend of fiction, fact, and fantasy creates a unique and exciting world that is both familiar and unfamiliar, both entertaining and thought-provoking. Warrior is definitely worth a watch for fans of martial arts, crime dramas, and period pieces alike.

Warrior is a series that ran for 3 seasons (31 episodes) between April 5, 2019 and on Netflix