‘3 Body Problem’ Director Derek Tsang Boards DEA True-Crime Series ‘Group 41’ From Zhang Yimou’s ‘Shadow’ Producer Jonah Greenberg (EXCLUSIVE)

Derek Tsang, acclaimed director of films such as "Better Days" and the upcoming adaptation of "3 Body Problem," is set to direct and executive produce a new true-crime drama series titled "Group 41." The project focuses on the groundbreaking formation of the first Asian-American squad within the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) during the mid-1980s.

Originating from Jonah Greenberg’s Salty Pictures, "Group 41" is currently showcased at the Taiwan Creative Content Fest (TCCF) in Taipei. The series is planned as a 10-episode narrative with episodes running approximately 45 minutes each. It opens in New York City in 1986, a period marked by intense DEA operations targeting infamous Colombian cocaine cartels and Italian Mafia families.

Amid this landscape, the series highlights an often overlooked team of Asian-American agents who join forces with an ambitious Irish prosecutor, known colloquially as “The Dragon Lady.” This coalition forms DEA Group 41, a unit dedicated to disrupting the influx of high-grade heroin—referred to as No. 4—that was flowing into the United States through an underrecognized network.

Over the ensuing decade, this modestly funded squad evolves into a formidable international task force. Their investigations bring them face to face with notable figures in the Asian drug trade, including Johnny Kon, a Hong Kong triad leader with a multinational empire; Johnny "Onionhead" Eng, a feared Chinatown crime lord; and Khun Sa, an infamous warlord commanding a vast narcotics militia in Southeast Asia’s Golden Triangle.

The series promises to explore complex themes such as immigration challenges, racial prejudice, and the nuanced costs of pursuing the American Dream. It aims to present a balanced portrayal by delving into the perspectives of both law enforcement and those involved in criminal enterprises.

Jonah Greenberg, who previously served as managing director of Creative Artists Agency’s China office and produced Zhang Yimou’s film "Shadow," co-authored the source material with Marc Iserlis and Aidan Swift. Their nonfiction foundation, a comprehensive 180-page book entitled "The Incredible Story of D.E.A. Group 41 & The Rise and Fall of the Asian Heroin Trade," is slated for publication next year. Greenberg emphasizes the historical significance of the squad’s efforts, noting that while law enforcement dramas often focus on modern surveillance techniques, the 1980s era underscored the inherent risks of undercover operations without today’s technological advantages.

Despite the era’s cinematic fascination with Italian mob busts and flashy crime dramas like "Miami Vice," the Asian heroin trade and the agents combating it received scant attention from both media and official channels at the time. Greenberg characterizes "Group 41" as an underdog story, spotlighting a successful yet underrecognized victory in the war on drugs.

The creative team envisions the series extending across multiple seasons, tracing the decade-long saga with Khun Sa positioned as a climactic antagonist. This structure allows for a gradual escalation in narrative stakes, culminating in a high-profile confrontation reminiscent of classic crime storytelling.

Taiwan’s Each Other Films, co-founded by co-producer Tiffany Yu-chia Chen, contributes as a co-production partner, reflecting the project's international collaboration. Additionally, Adam Berkowitz of Lenore Entertainment Group, a former co-head of CAA TV, serves as an executive producer.

Currently, the production is in a developmental phase following seven years of groundwork, with plans to secure a writer-showrunner and potentially attach principal cast members before pitching the series to platforms in the U.S. next year. At TCCF, the team is exploring regional incentives, particularly in Taiwan, to optimize budgeting and distribution strategies across Asia and beyond.

The series aims to shed light on a compelling chapter of law enforcement history through a lens seldom seen on screen. By focusing on agents motivated by a profound sense of purpose and ethical codes, the show seeks to resonate with audiences interested in authentic, nuanced crime dramas grounded in real-world events.