Chinese dramas and films

On June 2, 2026, the 24-episode historical drama "Ashes to Crown" (翘楚, Queen Chu, 楚后, Qiao Chu, Chu Hou) premiered on Youku and Netflix. The series is based on the novel "Chu Hou" by author Xi Xing.

The director is Yang Long ("The Glory", "Advance Bravely"), and the screenwriter is Li Min ("Only For Love", "Cao Xuanxuan's Love Journey").

The lead roles are played by Chen Du Ling ("The Glory", "Fangs of Fortune") and Zhou Yi Ran ("Reborn", "Twelve Letters").

The story revolves around the general's daughter Chu Chao (Chen Du Ling), who in her previous life became a pawn in the hands of Crown Prince Xiao Xun and died. Reborn with the memories of her past, she decides to take control of her own destiny, helps the emperor's grandson ascend the throne, and together with the emperor's illegitimate son Xie En Lai (Zhou Yi Ran) rises from a simple guard to a great commander. In the finale, the heroine defends the country in a decisive battle.

Xi Xing's original novel "Chu Hou" runs to more than a million words and belongs to the "strong female lead" genre, where the main emphasis is on her independence. However, during the adaptation, the focus seems to have shifted. The behind-the-scenes intrigues in which Chu Chao played the main role, as well as her outstanding talents as a military commander, have been replaced with a supporting role as an assistant to a young prince in his rise to the throne. This interpretation angered fans of the book even before the premiere, who accused the production team of "destroying the image of the female lead and elevating the male lead to an equal level." The creators of the series argue that a million words simply cannot fit into 24 episodes.

Filming took place from May 28 to August 28, 2025 in Hengdian. During production, disputes arose over the order of names in the credits: Chen Du Ling's fans expected the actress to be listed first, while Zhou Yi Ran's fans were unhappy with his secondary position. In the end, the studios released a joint statement asking to stop the conflicts, and Chen Du Ling herself addressed her fans: "If I have upset you, put down your phone and focus on your own life."

Read more:
Chen Du Ling and Zhou Yi Ran to star in a new historical romantic drama
Chen Du Ling and Zhou Yi Ran finish filming "Императрица Чу"

The drama's launch was impressive. Within two hours of the premiere, the series had already garnered more than 7,000 views on Youku, breaking the platform's record for a premiere day. Within 24 hours, its daily audience on Weibo exceeded 100 million people, and the series topped the charts. About 30 artists, including Yang Yang, Kara Hui and Guan Xiao Tong, publicly supported the premiere. Chen Du Ling's fans placed more than 200,000 cloud reservations worth over 6 million yuan, setting a record for actresses in the Chinese entertainment industry.

Chen Du Ling's performance – transforming from a naive girl in her previous life to a ruthless heroine after her rebirth – received high praise from viewers. Her acting was called convincing, and the actress herself was lauded for her ability to move away from her usual gentle image.

The drama is being broadcast simultaneously on Youku and Netflix, reaching more than 190 countries. The first four episodes aired on premiere day.

Trailer

Sources 1, 2, 3