Netflix is shining a spotlight on the struggles, dreams, and sisterhood of Indonesian immigrants in its latest original title:
Ratu Ratu Queens: The Series, a six-episode dramedy that serves as a prequel to the acclaimed 2021 film Ali & Ratu Ratu Queens.
Set eight years before the events of the film, the series explores the untold beginnings of four Indonesian women—Party (Nirina Zubir), Chinta (Happy Salma), Ance (Tika Panggabean), and Biyah (Asri Welas)—as they build a life from scratch in the heart of Queens, New York.
Before Ali, There Were the Queens
While the original film focused on Ali’s journey to find his mother, the series takes a deeper dive into the lives of the four “Queens” who once served as side characters. Here, they take center stage.
Premiering globally on Netflix starting September 12, 2025, Ratu Ratu Queens: The Series offers an intimate look at the emotional rollercoaster of immigrant life—one filled with hardship, humor, heartbreak, and hope.
The American Dream, Reimagined
From restaurant work without legal papers to sleeping on shared mattresses, the series offers a brutally honest—but tender—portrait of life as an undocumented immigrant. It captures the emotional cost of chasing the American Dream: being far from family, battling loneliness, and making impossible choices just to survive.
Still, amid the chaos, there’s laughter.
With Party’s no-nonsense toughness, Ance’s dry humor, Chinta’s fragile idealism, and Biyah’s grounded wisdom, the show finds levity in the darkest moments—showing that sometimes, comedy is the only thing standing between despair and resilience.
Sisterhood Beyond Blood
What binds these women is not just shared pain, but a growing sense of unbreakable sisterhood.“Family isn’t always about blood—sometimes, it’s about choice,” becomes the heartbeat of this series.
Through late-night talks, kitchen table arguments, and acts of silent sacrifice, the series captures how love and loyalty can blossom even in the most unlikely of places.
A Closer Look at the Characters
Each character brings a unique emotional arc:
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Party (Nirina Zubir), an undocumented restaurant worker, juggles her job while supporting her family back home. “Life may not always be beautiful, but we can still make it meaningful,” Nirina shared at the press conference in Jakarta. She also revealed that this series is the first time Party experiences love—something that shifts her perspective entirely.
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Chinta (Happy Salma), who came to New York for love, ends up abandoned and without rights. “Imagine giving up everything, only to be discarded like you’re nothing. That happens to many women abroad,” said Happy.
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Ance (Tika Panggabean) may appear rigid and controlling, especially with her child, but it’s all rooted in love. “She wants to protect what little she has left. Her emotional journey is about finally letting go,” Tika explained.
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Biyah (Asri Welas), brings realism to the group. “Playing a younger Biyah was tough—physically and emotionally. I had to lose weight and return to that raw, uncertain phase of early migration,” Asri admitted.
The cast unanimously agreed that this wasn’t just an acting job—it felt like family.“We still have an active WhatsApp group since the movie,” Happy Salma said with a laugh. “From silly stuff to deep confessions—it all goes there. That bond made our chemistry on-screen completely natural.”
A Vision Long in the Making
Producer Muhammad Zaidy (Eddy) revealed that the idea of diving into the Queens’ backstories was there even before the original film was released.“So many people asked how they met and what life was like for them before Ali. We knew these stories deserved more room to grow.”
Directed by Lucky Kuswandi and written by Andri Cung, this marks Palari Films’ first original series production, filmed over 51 days—half of which took place in New York.“I’ve always been drawn to telling stories about women in their 30s and 40s,” said Lucky. “They’re complex, strong, and rarely the focus. It’s time we gave them the screen time they deserve.”
A Story with Global Resonance
Netflix hopes the story of these four Indonesian women will strike a chord with viewers worldwide.“We want people to laugh, be entertained, and be deeply moved,” said Eddy. “This is not just a story for Indonesians—it’s for anyone who’s ever felt like a stranger in a strange land.”
Ratu Ratu Queens: The Series launches globally on Netflix, September 12, 2025.
Get ready to cry, laugh, and fall in love with four incredible women chasing dreams, surviving heartbreak, and choosing one another as family—far from home, but never alone.
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