Operation Doolittle — A Nine-Episode Mini-Series

The Briefing

Logline & Synopsis

Logline

In the shadows of World War II, a Japanese double agent and a Chinese underground operative risk everything to deliver a secret that could change the course of the Pacific War, setting in motion the daring Doolittle Raid and a desperate race for survival behind enemy lines.

Eyes Only

Synopsis

In 1942, just months after Pearl Harbor, the United States prepares a top-secret bombing mission against Japan — an operation that will become known as the Doolittle Raid. American intelligence officer Walter Chen is dispatched to China carrying classified operational plans and encrypted navigation data essential to guiding the raiders to safe landing sites. When his aircraft is shot down over southern China, Chen parachutes onto Sanzao Island, a heavily fortified Japanese stronghold, and the mission hangs by a thread.

To recover the lost intelligence, the Chinese government activates Takeki Ichiro, an undercover operative embedded deep within the Japanese military, and pairs him with Ye Biying, a military doctor returning to her occupied hometown. Exploiting Ichiro's position as an Imperial investigator, the two infiltrate the island, outwit a ruthless garrison, and survive a relentless series of deadly encounters — racing to smuggle Chen off the island and deliver the intelligence that makes the Doolittle Raid possible.

Mission Log

Nine episodes

Personnel Dossier

Principal characters

Chinese Intelligence & Resistance

Takeki Ichiro

Edward Zhang

Operating under the code name Lumberjack, Takeki Ichiro is a skilled intelligence operative and master of disguise who navigates high-stakes, volatile environments with unwavering focus. Using his dual Japanese and Chinese identity, he frequently operates deep within chaotic conflict zones and intricate deception networks, utilizing multiple personas to carry out critical missions. Recognized as a "master of a thousand faces," Takeki combines tactical adaptability with acute situational awareness, enabling him to penetrate hostile operations, maneuver through extreme peril, and consistently turn treacherous circumstances to his advantage while maintaining total loyalty to his core objective.

Ye Biying

Ning Chang

Born into a wealthy Chinese-American family in Honolulu and refined through a prestigious education, Ye Biying is a trainee military doctor who steps into high-stakes intelligence operations driven by deep personal conviction and national devotion. Beneath her quiet, graceful exterior lies remarkable resilience and an exceptionally sharp intellect, highlighted by a photographic memory that makes her a formidable, albeit novice, intelligence asset. Serving as a medical officer with the 18th Army Rear Office in Chongqing, she combines her clinical skill and gentle demeanor with acute tactical awareness. Her assignment — infiltrating a Japanese naval base on Sanzao Island alongside operative Takeki Ichiro to rescue an American pilot holding top-secret intelligence — showcases her evolution from a compassionate healer into a courageous, mission-critical operative.

Ye Degong

Morni Chang

Ye Degong is a highly respected clan patriarch and the prominent spiritual leader of Sanzao Island. Driven by a profound sense of civic responsibility and national devotion rather than personal wealth or status, he serves as a guiding moral beacon for those caught in the turmoil of wartime occupation. Facing intense peril and immense personal sacrifice, including the loss of his own family, he remains unwavering in his conviction that liberation lies ahead. Leveraging his authority and community standing, Ye Degong spares no effort to assist intelligence operatives Takeki Ichiro and Ye Biying in their mission to rescue a key American pilot, ultimately channeling his grief into a courageous, heroic resistance against the invading forces.

Director Shen

Zhang Songwen

Director Shen is a key figure in the Chinese Military Intelligence Bureau, acting as the strategic mastermind behind rescue operations outside Sanzao Island. Characterized by a scholarly demeanor and an elegant, mild-mannered presence, he hides an exceptionally sharp, tactical mind beneath his refined exterior. Known for his flawless operational record and meticulous attention to detail, Shen maintains total composure while orchestrating complex, high-stakes intelligence networks from the shadows. As the primary strategist overseeing the rescue of Walter Chen, he handles critical logistics and high-risk decision-making, repeatedly steering field agents Takeki Ichiro and Ye Biying through extreme danger with precise evasion and support strategies.

U.S. Army Air Forces & Navy

James Doolittle

Casper Van Dien

Lieutenant Colonel Doolittle is a quick-witted, highly disciplined aviation expert and commander of the U.S. Army Air Forces Special Bombardment Detachment. Renowned for his extraordinary intellect, meticulous planning, and resolute composure under fire, he was handpicked by President Roosevelt to lead sixteen B-25 bombers in a historic, high-stakes raid over Japan. Demonstrating immense perseverance and fearless leadership, Doolittle successfully executed the critical aerial strike before running out of fuel and crash-landing in Zhejiang, China. Recognized as a pivotal World War II figure and tactical pioneer, his heroism and successful operation forged a lasting legacy across the global stage.

Captain Mitscher

Jeff Fahey

Captain Mitscher is the commanding officer of the aircraft carrier USS Hornet and a key naval strategist in Pacific theater operations. A steadfast and composed leader, he excels in high-pressure maritime combat, navigating unpredictable waters and volatile engagements with resolute authority. Recognized for his decisive mindset and firm commitment to global security, Mitscher played a pivotal role in planning and executing the historic 1942 operation that escorted Lieutenant Colonel Doolittle's bombing squadron across the Pacific. His swift, tactical decision-making under fire and unwavering discipline mark him as a vital naval commander in the Allied war effort.

Imperial Japanese Forces

Commander Fujita

Shigeo Kobayashi

Vice Admiral Fujita is the Supreme Commander of Sanzao Island and the highest-ranking officer in the Imperial Japanese Navy stationed there. A scholarly and deeply calculating strategist, he balances a thorough command of both civil and military discipline with an extensive knowledge of Chinese culture. Behind a polished, amiable exterior lies a sinister and self-important tactician who uses hypocritical warmth to mask lethal intent. Constantly maneuvering behind the scenes, Fujita manages internal rivalries — such as that between his subordinates and Takeki Ichiro — by pitting opposing forces against one another to preserve his own position, making him the most dangerous covert threat operating on the island.

Oshima Hiro

Ryu Kohata

Captain Oshima Hiroshi is the commander of the Japanese Special Police Brigade on Sanzao Island and a formidable, highly calculating antagonist. Combining relentless fanaticism with a cold, analytical mind, he oversees military operations with rigorous logic and absolute ruthlessness. Shrewd, observant, and uncompromising, Oshima maintains total command over his domain, treating conflict as a high-stakes battle of wits. His strategic brilliance makes him the primary adversary to intelligence operative Takeki Ichiro — an opponent whose intellect finally matches his own, fueling Oshima's obsession with unraveling the enemies' network and destroying his rival.

Inoue Kensuke

Masaki Otsuka

Inoue Kensuke serves as the deputy commander of the Japanese Special Police Detachment on Sanzao Island and acts as the direct enforcer for Commander Oshima Hiroshi. Born in China to a Japanese rōnin, he is a tyrannical and volatile figure who relies on brutality and raw ambition to maintain authority. Unpredictable, combative, and relentless in his methods, Inoue possesses a decisive yet vicious streak that makes him an effective lieutenant. However, his reckless impulsiveness and unrestrained indulgences frequently undermine his discipline, making him both a valuable asset and a volatile liability to his superior officer.

Command

Writer, directors & producers

Zhao Yilong

Director

Yilong Zhao (b. May 18, 1988, Shandong) is a Chinese director and actor. He began his acting career in 2008 and gained recognition for his role in Nirvana in Fire (2015). In 2016, he shifted to directing, with works including Chasing Love for a Thousand Years (2016), River Sunset (2019), The Founding of a Republic (2019), Martian Orphan (2021), Facing the Wind (2023), and Eternal Night Galaxy (2024). In 2025, he won the Tencent Video Golden Goose Award for Outstanding Director for Eternal Night Galaxy. The highly anticipated World War II drama "River Sunset" debuted at #1 on the charts in China after its release in January, 2026.

Shaun Piccinino

Co-Director

Shaun Paul Piccinino (Peach-a-nino), an acclaimed film and television director, boasts an impressive portfolio with six Netflix features to his name. Among these, three have achieved global recognition: "A California Christmas" and its sequel, "City Lights," both topped Netflix's global charts, while "That's Amor" secured a spot in the top three worldwide, contributing to over 500 million hours viewed. Shaun's success continued with "Holiday Harmony" on HBO Max, capturing a top ten position globally, and "The Island," which clinched the number one spot on Starz, marking his fifth chart-topping movie.

Han Sanping

Executive Producer

Han Sanping is a Chinese producer, director, screenwriter, and former chairman of China Film Group. A graduate of Sichuan University, he began his career at Emei Film Studio in 1977. In 2009, he was named CCTV Economic Figure of the Year and directed the 60th National Day tribute film The Founding of a Republic, earning two Best Director nominations at the Hundred Flowers Awards and winning the Outstanding Director award at the 14th Huabiao Awards.

Zhao Jun

Writer

A veteran Chinese producer and writer, Zhao Jun was raised in a military family and developed a deep passion from an early age for military knowledge and historical stories. The military-themed productions he has worked on have been warmly received by Chinese audiences. His credits include Northern Beauty, Going South, and Let Go of My Hand, among others, earning numerous awards in China.

Noel Vega

Producer

Noel Vega has worked in the Biz for over 30 years, primarily as a Producer and Action Director for Indie Movies, TV and Video Games. The games Noel has worked on have sold over $20 billion and include AAA-titles such as Call of Duty (12 of them), UFC Undisputed, The Quarry, Fight Club, James Bond, Spiderman, Clone Wars, Guitar Hero, Tony Hawk, and many more. His film & TV credits include Sundance Winner A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night, Reality TV #1 Deadliest Warrior and Network Scripted TV #1 Martial Law. He is the US Producer on River Sunset, #1 primetime in China in 2026, released by Tencent and iQiyi.

Ian Wang

Producer

Ian Wang is a Beijing-based filmmaker and producer specializing in international co-productions that bridge the Chinese and global entertainment markets. He holds a B.F.A. in Film Directing from Chapman University and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Through his extensive work, Wang fosters creative collaboration between the US and China, bringing unique cross-cultural stories to the screen. His notable producing and writing credits include the award-winning Championship Dream and the sweeping World War II drama series Sunset Glory: Doolittle's Heroes.