“Mortal Kombat II” actor Ludi Lin is joining the cast of “Comedy InvAsian III,” alongside comedians Juno Men, Erik Escobar, Trevor Jang, Michelle MaliZaki, Shivaan Nadan, Kitty Pine and Vanja Renee.
The third season of the AAPI stand-up comedy showcase comes from creator-showrunner Koji Steven Sakai of Little Nalu Pictures, executive producer Victor Elizalde of Viva Pictures and creator-showrunner Quentin Lee of Margin Films. Each episode features a different comedian performing a 30-minute set.
Produced by Little Nalu Pictures and distributed by Viva Pictures Distribution LLC, “Comedy InvAsian” premiered as a Hulu exclusive in 2018. Seasons 1 and 2 currently stream on Peacock, Tubi and Amazon Prime.
The series has launched the television careers of several AAPI comics, including Atsuko Okatsuka, Joey Guila, Robin Tran and Jiaoying Summers.
Season 3 will tape during four live performances on Valentine’s weekend, Feb. 14-15, at the Japanese American National Museum’s Tateuchi Democracy Forum in Los Angeles.
“Comedy InvAsian has proven itself as both a cultural platform and a discovery engine,” said Elizalde, president of Viva Pictures. “From its Hulu-exclusive Season 1 with Atsuko Okatsuka to Season 2’s breakout performances by Jiaoying Summers, the series has helped introduce audiences to the next generation of Asian comedy talent. Season 3 continues that mission with an extraordinary new lineup.”
Elizalde also produces “Entre Nos,” the LatinX stand-up comedy series currently in its fifth season as an HBO exclusive.
“We are thrilled to have assembled such a powerhouse of diverse talent for Season 3 of Comedy InvAsian,” said Sakai. “Seeing alumni like Atsuko Okatsuka and Robin Tran reach such heights proves how vital this platform is. This new group is incredibly sharp and ready to follow in those footsteps, bringing fresh, hilarious perspectives to the stage.”
“As a proud Television Academy member, we plan to premiere the series in May, in celebration of AAPI Heritage Month, strategically timed for Emmy 2026 FYC consideration for outstanding variety series,” said Lee, whose spinoff “Comedy Invasion” won the 2024 Canadian Screen Award for best comedy special.
The Season 3 cast includes Erik Escobar, who has appeared on Prime Video’s “Beast Games” and NBC’s “Last Comic Standing”; Vancouver-based Trevor Jang, making his television debut; Lin, who returns as Liu Kang in “Mortal Kombat II” in May; Los Angeles-based Michelle MaliZaki; Seattle comedian Juno Men, who debuted in Lee’s 2024 special “Laugh Proud”; Bay Area comic Shivaan Nadan; Filipino American comedian Kitty Pine; and Vanja Renee, of Korean and Black heritage.
Viva Pictures will distribute the series on AAM.tv, Tubi and Prime Video. The company’s current comedy specials include Nick Swardson, Gary Owen and Craig Ferguson, while its original series “Entre Nos” airs on HBO. Viva has also featured early specials from Ralph Barbosa, Jiaoying Summers, Atsuko Okatsuka and Joey Guila.
Little Nalu Pictures, based in South Pasadena, California, specializes in diverse and inclusive narratives. The company’s projects appear on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime and Peacock.
Margin Films was founded by Lee in 1996 and is incorporated in British Columbia, Canada, and California.
https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/mortal-kombat-ii-ludi-lin-comedy-invasian-iii-cast-1236627039/
Koji Steven Sakai 