If you only know Madison Hu from the neon-soaked, hyper-edited world of Disney Channel's Bizaardvark, you're basically missing half the story. Honestly, it’s a classic Hollywood trajectory, but with a sharper edge. Most child stars either fade into the background or try way too hard to "break bad" the second their contract ends. Hu? She just got incredibly selective.
She didn't just walk away from the multi-cam sitcom life; she sprinted toward projects that feel grounded, gritty, and—in the case of The Brothers Sun—downright lethal. You've probably seen her name popping up on Netflix or in horror flick credits lately and wondered if it's the same person who used to sing about "The Comeback Song" with Olivia Rodrigo. It is. And the shift is fascinating.
From Disney Darling to Netflix Muscle
The transition from Frankie Wong to Grace Hwang wasn't accidental. In The Brothers Sun, Madison Hu stepped into a world of Taiwanese triads and Los Angeles crime syndicates. She played Grace, a character who starts as a quirky pre-med student and potential love interest for Bruce Sun, only to reveal layers that most "sidekick" roles never touch.
It was a pivot. A big one.
The show gave her a platform to work alongside Michelle Yeoh, which is basically a masterclass in itself. Hu has talked before about how Yeoh held ceremonies to bless the set—a vibe totally different from the craft services and laugh tracks of her younger years. If you're looking at madison hu movies and tv shows to see where she found her "adult" footing, this is the starting line.
The Sci-Fi and Horror Era
Before the triads, there was the void of space. In 2021, Hu appeared in Voyagers. It was a "Lord of the Flies in space" concept that didn't necessarily set the box office on fire, but it proved she could handle ensemble drama without the Disney safety net.
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Then came the horror streak.
- The Boogeyman (2023): She played Bethany. It wasn't the lead, but being part of a Stephen King adaptation is a rite of passage for actors who want to prove they can handle tension and atmosphere.
- Night Shift (2023): Here, she took on the role of Alice Marsh. It’s a claustrophobic thriller that leans heavily on performance rather than just jump scares.
Why Bizaardvark Still Looms Large
Look, we can't talk about her filmography without the elephant in the room. Bizaardvark. It ran from 2016 to 2019 and basically defined a generation of YouTube-obsessed tweens. Hu and Rodrigo were the heart of that show.
While Rodrigo went the pop-star route, Hu stayed the course with acting. It’s wild to look back at those episodes now—the comedic timing was actually quite technical. Playing a "weirdo" creator on a kids' show requires a lack of ego that clearly served her well as she moved into more complex, sometimes unlikable characters.
She also had a recurring gig on Best Friends Whenever as Marci. If you’re a completionist, that’s where the Disney journey really began, playing the deadpan friend who always seemed to be over everyone’s nonsense.
The 2025-2026 Expansion: What’s New?
The industry has been buzzing about her role in Rosemead. This isn't your typical popcorn flick. Based on a heavy LA Times story about a widow and her son dealing with schizophrenia in the San Gabriel Valley, it's a project that screams "awards season." Hu plays Jeannie, and the film marks a significant step into prestige drama.
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Then there's The Altruists. Casting news from late 2025 confirmed her as Constance Wang in this Netflix limited series. It’s a departure from the action-heavy Brothers Sun and suggests she's looking for roles that challenge the "rising star" label and move toward "established lead."
Mapping Out the Filmography
If you're trying to binge her work, don't just watch in order of release. The tonal whiplash will give you a headache. Instead, categorize them by the "vibe" of her career stages.
The Early Years (The Foundations)
She actually started incredibly young. Did you know she was in Bad Words (2013) with Jason Bateman? She played Ling Quan. It was a tiny role, but she was only about nine or ten years old. You can also catch her in blink-and-you'll-miss-it spots in The Goldbergs and Tosh.0.
The Disney Peak
- Best Friends Whenever (2015-2016)
- Bizaardvark (2016-2019)
- Grace and Frankie (2015) - A quick guest spot as a spelling bee girl.
The Modern Pivot
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- Voyagers (2021)
- The Boogeyman (2023)
- The Brothers Sun (2024)
- A Man on the Inside (Season 2, 2025) - Playing Claire Chung.
What Most People Get Wrong About Her Career
People love to compare her to her former co-stars, but that’s a mistake. Hu isn't trying to be a "personality." While she’s active on social media—sharing fashion and behind-the-scenes bits—she seems much more interested in the craft of character acting.
She attended Columbia University while filming The Brothers Sun. Think about that. Most actors would drop everything for a Netflix lead, but she was literally emailing professors from the set to make up classes. That academic grounding shows up in her performances; there’s a deliberateness to how she picks her scripts. She isn't just taking every "teen" role that comes her way.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Watchers
If you want to actually see her range, don't start with the sitcoms. Start with The Brothers Sun to see her handle dialogue and action, then go back to Bad Words to see where the comedic timing started.
- Watch for the subtext: In her recent roles, Hu excels at saying things without speaking. Her character in Night Shift is a great example of this.
- Track the indies: Projects like Rosemead are where she’s doing her most "human" work. These smaller films often get lost in the shuffle of big streaming hits, but they are the meat of her resume.
Madison Hu is effectively bridge-building. She’s moving from the "kid with the guitar" image to a versatile actor who can handle horror, high-stakes action, and deep-seated familial drama. Whether she's playing a pre-med student with a secret or a girl trapped in a haunted house, the through-line is a certain groundedness that’s rare for someone who grew up in the Disney machine.
Keep an eye on The Altruists in 2026. If the early word is right, it’s going to be the project that finally stops people from asking, "Wait, is that the girl from Bizaardvark?"
Next Steps for Your Watchlist:
Check out The Brothers Sun on Netflix for her most charismatic performance to date. If you're into darker themes, seek out Night Shift—it's a hidden gem that shows a completely different side of her acting ability.