‘The Cleaning Lady’ Panel at LAAPFF 2025: A Conversation on Representation, Directing, and Creative Evolution
On May 2, 2025, at the Directors Guild of America in Los Angeles, a panel discussion was held as part of the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (LAAPFF). The panel featured Élodie Yung (actor, director, producer), Kelli Breslin (co-executive producer), and Joelle Luman (staff writer) from The Cleaning Lady, moderated by ABS-CBN Hollywood correspondent Yong Chavez.
The panel touched on the creative processes behind the series, highlighting themes of AAPI representation, the challenges of directing, and the evolving narrative of the show.
Élodie Yung, who has played Thony De La Rosa for the past four seasons on the FOX show, directed her first episode this season. During the panel, she talked about her evolution on the show, how proud she is to be portraying a Cambodian character, and emphasized the importance of cultural authenticity in storytelling. She noted the show’s commitment to embracing her heritage, which was reflected in the character’s background.
“Growing up, you know, it wasn’t really the case,” Yung said about having other AAPI influences to set an example. “Along the way, I have met people who have inspired me.” Yung referenced Wicked director Jon M. Chu and how his support and accomplishments for the Asian community were part of what motivated her to direct. Yung also credits Anti-Archive, the Cambodian film production company created in 2014 by Davy Chou, Steve Chen, and Kavich Neang, which has helped create a sense of community among filmmakers.
Joelle Luman, who recently received her first “written by” credit on The Cleaning Lady, discussed the significance of having Filipino Americans in the writers’ room, crediting showrunner Daniel Cerone for incorporating Filipino stories and characters, such as the inclusion of champarado (a favorite Filipino dish) in the show as a cultural reference.
Co-executive producer Kelli Breslin, whose other credits include YOU, Dead Boy Detectives, and Gossip Girl, spoke on writing for a Filipino family and Asian characters, highlighting the rarity and significance of this opportunity in mainstream media.
Yung described her directorial debut as a valuable opportunity that broadened her vision and deepened her connections with the cast and crew. She said she trusted her instincts and collaborated closely with the team, which was important, especially in a fast-paced environment with limited rehearsal time.
During the panel, Yung, Breslin, and Luman discussed some of the challenges they faced in season 4, such as the need to maintain audience empathy for characters on both sides of the law. They said much of their focus was on how they approached empathy in writing and portraying the characters, making sure that viewers understand their motives rather than judging them harshly.
This season, the team wanted to explore new levels and fresh elements when it came to the character of Thony, highlighting her emotional depth and complexity. They wanted to show a more domestic side of the character despite the show’s cartel theme. Luman spoke about her personal experiences, sharing stories about her mom being an international arms dealer. That childhood experience shaped her writing, specifically addressing the moral ambiguity and emotional truths in storytelling. These themes were clearly reflected in the portrayal of characters like Thony.
Breslin elaborated on her background as well. She studied opera and classical vocal technique and majored in Theater in college. Breslin noted the influence that musical training had in the pacing of the scripts and how it sets a certain rhythm or “vibe” for the show.
In the end, Yung closed with stories about how fan interactions shifted the way she relates to Thony. “I was very moved and touched when I had the opportunity to meet the Cambodian community here in L.A.,” she said. “They’re very proud of this character. It really warmed my heart. I felt like I had an extra responsibility for this character.”
The discussion underscored the significance of representation, having a South Asian female character as a lead on a network show, and the responsibility that comes with that. The conversation highlighted the evolving narrative of The Cleaning Lady and the supportive, creative community that has a hand in shaping the series. The Cleaning Lady writer Patrick G. Emralino and executive producer assistant Krista Tamares were also in attendance.
The panel was a treat for fans, giving them a glimpse into the creative processes and commitments that drive the series forward. Episode 7 of The Cleaning Lady airs May 6 on FOX. New episodes air every Tuesday at 8/7c and the following day on HULU.
