What does the Great British Bake Off have in common with blood-thirsty mobsters in Taipei? A lot, thanks to an epic new Netflix series, actually.
The Brothers Sun is released on the streaming platform on January 4, and follows us to budding baker Charles Sun (Justin Chien), who happens to be an expert assassin for the mob.
However, he is forced to relocate to LA to protect his mom, Eileen (Michelle Yeoh) and brother Bruce (Sam Song Li) as their enemies circle.
In the very first scene, we’re introduced to Charles as he binges episodes of GBBO, listening intently to Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith while trying his hand at his own dessert – but he accidentally burns the treat as he tackles a surprise gang of vicious killers.
We know it’s only January but the series will definitely go down as one of the best shows of 2024.
Speaking to Metro.co.uk ahead of the release, Justin and Sam spilled the beans on filming – as well as their love of the epic Channel 4 competition.
Justin Chien spoke of Charles’ love of the Great British Bake Off (Picture: Netflix)
Michelle Yeoh stole the show as the Sun matriarch alongside Sam Song Li and Justin Chien (Picture: Netflix)
When asked if he watches the program as much as his character, Justin told us: ‘I do! I think it’s hilarious. What I love about is how intense people are, and how much people care. It’s so sad when people have to leave. That’s my least favorite part.
‘Or when when someone pours their heart into something – or you can see someone is clearly not going to make the deadline… It’s a great show. And I’m so glad that we got it on for this show. I think it’s hilarious.’
Bake Off surprisingly plays a huge part in the Brothers Sun, as we were also greeted by a very brief appearance from Liam Charles on our screens – while also being reminded of the tragic moment Ruby Bhogal’s cake toppled onto the floor during that infamous Vegan Week.
Like we could ever forget…
Aside from bonding over the contest, the pair were put through their paces on set, as they had to get to grips with intense physical scenes and stunts galore.
‘It was an intense process but I’ve always had dreams of doing my own stunt choreography,’ Justin continued, explaining that he reveled in the action. ‘I grew up doing martial arts and Muay Thai. I’ve gotten really into jujitsu, I got my blue belt recently.
‘I really did throw myself headfirst into all of it. Fortunately, for the most part, all of it went pretty well. I only took a couple of small injuries here and there, thank God.’
It was a slightly different story for Sam, who joked that he tried to offer himself up for stunts, ‘but they rejected me because we have a world class stunt team.
Things got very physical on set (Picture: Netflix)
‘They were like, “Sam, you’re already athletic, you’re already overqualified.” So they were very hesitant to have me learn anything more.
‘But it was fun to watch on the sideline, and I will say, I did have some fun. There’s an art to running around like a chicken with your head cut off.’
Thankfully, we don’t have long to wait to watch that unfold, as the Brothers Sun lands on Netflix this week.
The official synopsis reads: ‘When the head of a powerful Taiwanese triad is shot by a mysterious assassin, his eldest son, legendary killer Charles “Chairleg” Sun (Justin Chien) heads to Los Angeles to protect his mother, Eileen (Michelle Yeoh), and his naive younger brother, Bruce (Sam Song Li) — who’s been completely sheltered from the truth of his family until now.
Sam and Justin bonded on screen and off (Picture: Netflix)
‘But as Taipei’s deadliest societies and a new rising faction go head-to-head for dominance – Charles, Bruce and their mother must heal the wounds caused by their separation and figure out what brotherhood and family truly mean before one of their countless enemies kills them all.’
Justin and Sam were also in the presence of Hollywood royalty, with Michelle starring as their on-screen mom – claiming her rightful place as caring, but also terrifying, matriarch of the Sun family.
Unsurprisingly, the Everything Everywhere All At Once actress was a total icon on set, as Sam raved: ’She’s incredibly easy to work with, it’s effortless actually. She’s such a pro. She’s been doing this for so, so long. I feel like the first time I got to act with her, I was incredibly nervous.
‘The thing with Michelle is that she has this presence, this aura about her where you could spend 10 minutes with her in a room and feel like you’ve known her for years. She’s just that open, she’s that communicated with you. She’s that genuinely nice.
The pair raved about working with the iconic Michelle Yeoh (Picture: Netflix)
‘She’s incredibly easy to work with and I love using this metaphor, but it’s like playing basketball with Steph Curry, playing basketball with LeBron James. You’re going to win every game, they’re so good at their job. You could just stand around and still be winning games.’
‘Michelle is as wonderful and as charming, and as graceful, as her reputation goes,’ Justin agreed. ‘I remember the first day we worked together, it was actually shooting our first ever reunion scene as characters, as well.
‘I was definitely nervous, definitely intimidated. She walks in, everyone’s on their best behavior, and after that rehearsal, she looked over at me and she nodded, she gave me a fist bump. It was just so validating and fulfilling.
‘I thought, “Okay, if Michelle Yeoh is giving me a fist bump, I think I’m heading in the right direction”.
‘She’s just a homie. She’s a friend of ours now. She is both ‘Oscar-winner’ Michelle, but also just Michelle.’
The Brothers Sun is released on Netflix on January 4.
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Iconic.