C3: The Cleaning Lady Tells All: Creating Grit and Grace for 4 Seasons

The panel features Elodie Yung and creatives from the hit FOX series as they pull back the curtain on the show’s bold storylines, powerful characters, and what it takes to keep the drama going strong season after season—all through a distinctly AAPI and multicultural lens that reflects the heart of its characters and community.

Panelists:

Élodie Yung (Star & Producer)
Élodie Yung, widely recognized for her powerful performance in The Cleaning Lady, has captivated audiences with her portrayal of ‘Thony,’ a resourceful doctor-turned-underworld cleaner navigating high-stakes moral dilemmas.

Her nuanced performance earned her widespread acclaim, including the 2022 Critics Choice Award for Breakthrough Actress in Television. Yung’s ability to bring depth and complexity to her roles continues to solidify her reputation as a dynamic and compelling leading actress.

Yung made her mark on American television in 2016 with her portrayal of the iconic Marvel character “Elektra Natchios” in the second season of the Emmy Award-nominated series Daredevil. She reprised the role in the streaming series The Defenders in 2017 alongside an esteemed ensemble cast.

Beyond television, Yung has graced the silver screen in notable films such as The Hitman’s Bodyguard with Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo directed by David Fincher, Gods of Egypt helmed by Alex Proyas, and G.I. Joe: Retaliation directed by Jon Chu.

In addition to her acting prowess, Yung has ventured into filmmaking, exhibiting her talents behind the camera. In 2023, she showcased her multifaceted skills by producing, writing, and directing her debut short film, Happy Ending. This poignant work garnered acclaim at esteemed festivals, including The Banff Film Festival, The Santa Fe International Film Festival, LA Shorts, The Krakow Film Festival, The Chelsea Film Festival, and The Seattle Asian Film Festival. Further expanding her directorial portfolio, Yung also directed an episode of The Cleaning Lady this season, marking an exciting milestone in her creative journey.
A native of France, Yung initially pursued a law degree before following her passion for acting. She refined her craft at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts (LAMDA) and swiftly found success in both French television and film, notably in projects like Les Bleus and District 13: Ultimatum, where she showcased her martial arts prowess, honed since childhood.

Kelli Breslin (Co-EP)
Kelli Breslin is a writer, director, occasional actor, and former opera singer from the SF Bay Area. An alumni of the prestigious Warner Bros TV Writer’s Workshop, her credits include YOU, Dead Boy Detectives, Gossip Girl, and The Cleaning Lady.

Joelle Luman (Staff Writer)

Born and raised in a typical San Francisco Bay Area suburb, Filipina-American screenwriter Joelle Luman grew up in a household that was anything but ordinary. Her father was an engineer who traveled across America designing nuclear power plants and her mother was a licensed international arms dealer who worked closely with both the United States and China. After her mother’s gambling addiction tore her family apart and left them homeless, Joelle struggled on her own to make ends meet.

Tired of living paycheck-to-paycheck, Joelle decided to reconcile with her mother and join the family business. She soon found herself in the arms trade making deals for high-tech weaponry and military equipment with the likes of steely generals, questionable politicians, and power-hungry CEOs in the Philippines.

Her life experiences fueled her imagination as a storyteller with a passion for drama, action, thrillers, horror, and grounded sci-fi. Most recently, Joelle was a staff writer on season 4 of The Cleaning Lady for FOX and Warner Brothers TV. She also developed a series and co-wrote a pilot with Executive Producer Jeff Howard (The Haunting of Hill House, Midnight Mass) for Crypt TV. On the film side, she is writing and producing a feature with Diane Paragas (Yellow Rose) attached to direct. Joelle’s writing career began when she participated in the 2018-2019 Universal Writers Program. During the program, she wrote two feature scripts for Universal Pictures and Channing Tatum’s production company Free Association. She also consulted on a film project in development at the studio.

Before becoming a screenwriter, Joelle developed and produced highly-rated unscripted TV shows across all networks for more than a decade, including Bravo’s Emmy award winning series Top Chef, CBS’s Big Brother, and NBC’s The Biggest Loser. A graduate of the University of Southern California, Joelle is a member of the WGA, Television Academy, Producers Guild of America, and HRTS.