Joan Huang (played by Shirley Chen) is a protagonist in Slanted.
Chinese-American high school protagonist who struggles with racial identity and self-acceptance, ultimately undergoing a controversial ethnicity-changing surgery to assimilate and achieve her dream of becoming prom queen. Jo Hunt (played by Mckenna Grace) is a protagonist in Slanted.
The white-presenting alias and physical transformation of Joan Huang after she undergoes the permanent ethnicity-changing procedure at the Ethnos clinic. Olivia Hammond (played by Amelie Zilber) appears in Slanted.
The most popular girl at school who initially denies running for prom queen. She is Cuban American, estranged from her mother, and values social status over genuine cultural connection. Brindha (played by Maitreyi Ramakrishnan) appears in Slanted.
Joan's Indian-American friend who provides emotional support, discovers Jo's true identity, and confronts Joan about her internalized racism and betrayal. Willie (played by R. Keith Harris) appears in Slanted.
Dr. Willie Singer, founder of the Ethnos clinic. An Indian-American doctor who underwent the ethnicity-changing surgery himself to bypass racial bias, and insists the procedure is permanent.
Slanted (2026) character relationship network mapped with AI analysis. Explore the connections, alliances, and conflicts between characters.
Characters
Joan Huang
(played by Shirley Chen) — protagonist
Chinese-American high school protagonist who struggles with racial identity and self-acceptance, ultimately undergoing a controversial ethnicity-changing surgery to assimilate and achieve her dream of...
Jo Hunt
(played by Mckenna Grace) — protagonist
The white-presenting alias and physical transformation of Joan Huang after she undergoes the permanent ethnicity-changing procedure at the Ethnos clinic.
Olivia Hammond
(played by Amelie Zilber) — supporting
The most popular girl at school who initially denies running for prom queen. She is Cuban American, estranged from her mother, and values social status over genuine cultural connection.
Brindha
(played by Maitreyi Ramakrishnan) — supporting
Joan's Indian-American friend who provides emotional support, discovers Jo's true identity, and confronts Joan about her internalized racism and betrayal.
Willie
(played by R. Keith Harris) — supporting
Dr. Willie Singer, founder of the Ethnos clinic. An Indian-American doctor who underwent the ethnicity-changing surgery himself to bypass racial bias, and insists the procedure is permanent.
Key Relationships
Brindha → Olivia Hammond
(Conflict Social Outcast)
Jo Hunt → Joan Huang
(Meta Physical Alter Ego)
Olivia Hammond → Jo Hunt
(Power Manipulator)
Joan Huang → Willie
(Professional Surgeon)
Joan Huang → Brindha
(Social Best Friend)
Joan Huang → Olivia Hammond
(Alliance Teammate)
Story Analysis
A psychological drama exploring racial assimilation, bodily autonomy, and the cost of chasing social validation through surgical transformation.
