Interview: Hoa Xuande on Taking on the Incredible Lead Role in ‘The Sympathizer’

The limited series The Sympathizer, based on the novel by Viet Thanh Nguyen, chronicles the extraordinary story of the Captain (Hoa Xuande), a North Korean spy during the Vietnam war who comes to the United States. Opposite a chameleonic Robert Downey Jr. playing multiple parts is a fantastic Xuande, who brings a fascinating role to extraordinary life.

Awards Buzz spoke with Xuande about how he came to the project and the choices he made to define the Captain. Watch the video above to learn what it was like working with Downey and what the response has been like to his performance and the show.

Hoa Xuande is eligible for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie at this year’s Emmy Awards. All seven episodes of The Sympathizer are available to stream on Max.