You probably remember her as the girl with the guitar on Disney Channel. Or maybe you've just seen her face pop up in a gritty Netflix crime drama and thought, "Wait, is that Frankie Wong?"
Madison Hu has been around for a while. Honestly, longer than most people realize. She started as a kid in a Jason Bateman movie and somehow ended up starring alongside Michelle Yeoh. It’s been a weird, fascinating climb. While most child stars either burn out or stay stuck in the "bubblegum" phase forever, Hu has been quietly pivoting.
She isn't just a Disney alum anymore.
The Disney Years: Bizaardvark and Best Friends Whenever
Most of the internet’s obsession with Madison Hu movies and shows starts with Bizaardvark. It was that mid-2010s era of Disney Channel—bright colors, high energy, and the birth of social media influencer culture as a TV plot. Madison played Frankie Wong. She was the deadpan, grounded half of a musical comedy duo. Her co-star? A then-unknown Olivia Rodrigo.
It’s funny to look back now. While Olivia was the "high energy" one, Madison was the anchor. Before Bizaardvark, she was already putting in the work on Best Friends Whenever as Marci. She was the recurring nerd friend, basically. It was a safe, comfortable lane.
But Disney is a gilded cage. You get the fame, but you don't necessarily get the "serious actor" respect. Madison seemed to know that. Even while she was filming those shows, she was doing weird guest spots on things like Tosh.0 and The Goldbergs.
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The Great Pivot: From Kid Star to Horror Heroine
After Bizaardvark ended in 2019, things got quiet. Then the pandemic hit. Madison actually moved back to a "normal" life for a bit, attending Columbia University. You’d think she was done.
But then came Voyagers in 2021. It was a sci-fi thriller that felt a million miles away from a soundstage in Burbank. She played Anda. It wasn't the lead, but it was a signal. She was done with the laugh tracks.
The real shift happened in 2023. She appeared in The Boogeyman, a Stephen King adaptation. If you want to kill your Disney image, there's no better way than being chased by a literal shadow monster in a dark house. She played Bethany, a character that actually had some bite.
Then came Night Shift. Released in early 2024, this was a straight-up indie horror film. She played Alice Marsh, a young woman working her first night at a remote motel. It’s creepy. It’s claustrophobic. And most importantly, it showed that she can carry a scene without a wacky sidekick.
The Brothers Sun and the Netflix Era
If you haven't seen The Brothers Sun on Netflix, you’re missing out. This is where Madison Hu really proved she has range. She plays Grace. On the surface, Grace is just a nerdy pre-med student at Cal State. She bonds with the main character, Bruce, over improv and being an "outsider."
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Major spoiler ahead if you haven't finished the show:
Grace isn't who she says she is. She’s actually a high-ranking member of The Boxers, a rival gang trying to take down the Sun family triads. Seeing Madison go from "cute college student" to "cold-blooded gang leader" was a shock to the system. She was menacing. She was charismatic. She held her own in scenes with Michelle Yeoh, which is basically the ultimate test for any actor in 2026.
Sadly, Grace meets a pretty violent end in that show, but the impact was made. It proved she could play a villain.
What’s Happening Now: Rosemead and The Altruists
As of 2026, Madison is leaning hard into prestige drama.
The big one is Rosemead. It just had its wider release in late 2025 and is still making waves on the awards circuit. It’s based on a tragic true story from an LA Times article about a mother (played by Lucy Liu) dealing with her son’s mental illness. Madison plays Jeannie. It’s a heavy, somber film. There are no jokes. No guitars. Just raw, uncomfortable acting.
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She’s also slated for a new series called The Altruists, directed by Silver Tree. Details are still a bit thin, but it’s expected to drop later this year.
Madison Hu Filmography Breakdown
If you're trying to binge her work, here is the non-symmetrical, messy reality of her career:
- The Early Stuff: She was "Ling Quan" in Bad Words (2013). Watch it for a tiny Madison being yelled at by Jason Bateman.
- The Disney Era: Best Friends Whenever (2015-2016) and Bizaardvark (2016-2019). This is 63 episodes of her life.
- The Transition: Voyagers (2021). Good sci-fi, even if the critics were mixed.
- The Horror Phase: The Boogeyman and Night Shift (2023-2024). This is where she learned to scream and look terrified convincingly.
- The Breakthrough: The Brothers Sun (2024). Specifically, watch the episodes "Country Boy" and "Gymkata" to see her character flip the script.
- The Prestige Phase: Rosemead (2025). This is the "I'm a serious actor now" movie.
Why You Should Care
Most child actors try too hard to be edgy. They do the "wild child" thing or take roles that are shocking just for the sake of it. Madison didn't do that. She went to college. She picked small indie roles. She waited for a character like Grace Hwang to show people she can actually act.
She's an example of the "slow burn" career. She isn't a flash in the pan.
If you want to keep up with her, your best bet is to look for her in A24-style indies or high-concept Netflix originals. She seems to have a "no more sitcoms" rule lately, and honestly, it’s working for her. Keep an eye on the 2026 festival circuits; The Altruists might just be her next big win.
Next Steps for Fans:
Go watch The Brothers Sun on Netflix first. It’s the best representation of her current talent. If you want something darker, track down Night Shift on VOD. It’s a tight, 82-minute thriller that doesn't waste your time. Finally, if you're in the mood for something that will make you cry, find a screening of Rosemead. Just bring tissues.