Chinese dramas and films

Filming for the costume drama «Nirvana in Flames» (凤不栖) officially wrapped on 4 August. 

The production team and lead actors simultaneously announced the completion of work, releasing themed posters and a behind‑the‑scenes featurette.

The series began production on 14 April 2026 in Hengdian and lasted 112 days. It is produced by Mango TV, Hunan TV, Mango Super Media and Xirui Culture.

Director Guo Hu, known for the dramas «Mysterious Lotus Casebook» and «A Dream within a Dream», took the helm.

The leading roles are played by Wu Jinyan («The Story of Yanxi Palace», «Royal Betrothal») and Wei Zheming («Love Beyond the Grave», «You Are My Fateful Love»). The supporting cast includes Wang Duo, Liu Lingzi, Wang Youshuo, Yan Yuchen, Xu Yang and Qin Tianyu.

The script is based on the popular novel «Di Huang». The story takes place in an alternative world divided into four warring states. 

The protagonist, Qin Changge (Wu Jinyan), is a disciple of the Clan of a Thousand Curses, tasked by her master with delivering the sacred artefact «Star of the Emperor» to Prince Yu Zisi so that he may unify the land and bring peace. 

However, witnessing the suffering of the common people, she disobeys orders and gives the artefact to Prince Xiao Jue of Western Liang (Wei Zheming). 

Read more: Filming Begins for Historical Drama 'Nirvana in Flames' Starring Wu Jin Yan and Wei Zhe Ming

Together they suppress the unrest, and Qin Changge becomes the founding empress. But because she altered her destined fate, she suffers the destructive backlash of the artefact’s power – her eyes are gouged out and she is burned alive. Three years later, a woman who looks exactly like the deceased appears in the palace, returning under the guise of a maid named Ming Shuang to uncover the truth behind her death and take revenge.

The plot revolves around a tense intertwining of vengeance and love between the emperor and empress, whom viewers have already dubbed “the Chinese version of Mr. and Mrs. Smith.”

For Wei Zheming, this project marks his first time headlining an S‑level historical drama as a lead actor. He plays Xiao Jue, a blind emperor whose character undergoes a transformation over the course of the story.

Wu Jinyan admitted that the role of Qin Changge was the most challenging of her career: after discussing the script with the director, she often found herself unable to sleep at night.

On the day filming ended, the actress posted a lengthy message on social media, explaining that what drew her to the role was not the story’s resolution, but a simple question: “What must a person go through to become who they are?”

Some people have asked me why I chose the role of Qin Changge. In truth, I was never attracted by where the plot would lead or what Changge would become, but by a very simple question: what must a person endure to become who they are today?

For a long time during the preparation phase, I didn't know how to connect with the character. When filming began, the distance between us was greater than I had imagined. Many times I felt I hadn't yet become her – until one day, when she delivered a single line, and I suddenly sensed her state of mind at the start of the story. From that moment, I felt I finally understood the inevitable pattern of her fate.

Changge left me not with an answer, but with a quiet strength. She rarely rushed to prove anything or explain her motives, like a silent traveller simply moving forward.

These past few months have been worthwhile. I grew close to her, and she gradually changed me.

Thank you to «Nirvana in Flames», thank you to everyone who helped complete this story – the director, the screenwriter, all the actors and all the crew behind the scenes who accompanied us throughout the journey. Thank you to the platform and the production company for giving us the opportunity to meet. It is thanks to the collective efforts that Qin Changge truly came to life.

Fans of the original novel have expressed hope that the adaptation will preserve the core dynamic of the source material – the relationship between the emperor and empress, which evolves from mutual hatred to joint action.

The series is scheduled to premiere on Hunan TV and the streaming platform Mango TV no earlier than the fourth quarter of 2026.