The Great Eunuch
Encyclopedia
The Great Eunuch is the temporary title of an upcoming Hong Kong biographical-fiction television drama produced under the development of executive producer Marco Law and Television Broadcasts Limited
(TVB). The drama is a fictionalised account of Li Lianying
, one of the most powerful imperial eunuchs during the latter years of the Qing Dynasty
.
as Li, Michelle Yim
as Cixi, Bosco Wong
as the Guangxu Emperor
, Tavia Yeung
as Consort Zhen, Susanna Kwan
as Li's mother, and John Chiang, Elliot Ngok
, and Chung King-fai as prominent government officials. Only Lai was confirmed to be part of the official cast. "The Great Eunuch" was originally slated to begin production in March 2011, but it was pushed back to end of the year due to production difficulties.
In October 2011, TVB confirmed that the drama will begin filming in December 2011, and will continue its filming in Hengdian World Studios
in March 2012. To compete with the three new free broadcasting television stations in Hong Kong, TVB invested an additional 40 percent to the production budget. Maggie Cheung Ho-yee, Maggie Shiu, Ruco Chan
, and Raymond Wong were officially announced to join the cast in October 2011; however, Chan later revealed that his role is not confirmed and he may film another production instead. A month later Nancy Wu
, Edwin Siu
and Aimee Chan
were confirmed to join through their radio interviews and official weibo fansites. Helen Ma said she and Elliot Ngok
(an original cast member from the promotional trailer) will join the cast through a post on her weibo, and Oscar Chan uploaded a picture of his casting call on his weibo. Natalie Tong
, Power Chan
, Raymond Cho and Chung King-fai (also an original cast member) are confirmed to join later on.
An announcement of November 24 casting press conference was released on TVB official website at November 22 but it was removed a day after. On November 24, Wayne Lai has casted for the drama. As Helen Ma said on her Weibo, there was something wrong with the costumes of actresses, press con was cancelled as a result.
Television Broadcasts Limited
Television Broadcasts Limited, commonly known as TVB, is the second over-the-air commercial television station in Hong Kong. It commenced broadcasting on 19 November 1967...
(TVB). The drama is a fictionalised account of Li Lianying
Li Lianying
Li Lianying was an imperial eunuch during the Qing Dynasty who rose to power during the rule of Empress Dowager Cixi, who was the de facto ruler of China for thirty-nine years from 1869–1908. He served as the Head Eunuch until getting deposed in 1908...
, one of the most powerful imperial eunuchs during the latter years of the Qing Dynasty
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
.
Production and casting
A pre-production trailer was filmed in late 2010 for TVB's 2011 Sales Production Presentation, and it was the last trailer to broadcast for the ceremony. At the time, the temporary cast featured in the trailer consisted of Wayne LaiWayne Lai
Wayne Lai Yiu-cheung is a Hong Kong TVB actor.-Biography:Lai entered TVB in 1983 as a clerk in the business department. In 1985, he gave up the job and trained in the TVB Acting School. He starred in a few series in 1989. He started out in some minor roles, and took on some more significant roles...
as Li, Michelle Yim
Michelle Yim
Michelle Yim Wai-ling , also known by her Chinese stage name Mai Suet , is a Hong Kong actress. She graduated from St Rose of Lima College and Shaw Brothers' Training School.-Early life and career:...
as Cixi, Bosco Wong
Bosco Wong
Bosco Wong Chung-chak is a Hong Kong actor under TVB management and singer under East Asia Music.-Early career:Bosco's entertainment career began in 1998. He was spotted on the street by a talent-recruiter and soon appear for the first time in a lemon tea commercial and several minor modelling jobs...
as the Guangxu Emperor
Guangxu Emperor
The Guangxu Emperor , born Zaitian of the Aisin-Gioro clan, was the eleventh emperor of the Manchurian Qing Dynasty, and the ninth Qing emperor to rule over China. His reign lasted from 1875 to 1908, but in practice he ruled, under Empress Dowager Cixi's influence, only from 1889 to 1898...
, Tavia Yeung
Tavia Yeung
Tavia Yeung Yi is a Hong Kong actress under Hong Kong's Television Broadcast Limited or TVB. She has starred in numerous popular Hong Kong television series such as Vigilante Force, Twin of Brothers, Dicey Business, Heart of Greed, Moonlight Resonance and Beyond the Realm of Conscience.- Career...
as Consort Zhen, Susanna Kwan
Susanna Kwan
Susanna Kwan Kuk-ying is a 1974-1987, 2006-Present Hong Kong female singer. She has recently been an actress for a number of TVB shows. Her nickname is "Big Doll" or "Small Sworn Mother" . She had been married to Lai Siu-tin followed by a divorce. In February 5, 1990 to January 1, 2006, she moved...
as Li's mother, and John Chiang, Elliot Ngok
Elliot Ngok
Elliot Ngok Wah, better known as Yueh Hua, is a former Shaw Brothers actor and veteran TVB actor.-Career:Elly was born Leung Lok Wah in Shanghai, with native Cantonese roots. He immigrated to Hong Kong in 1962. He joined Shaw Brothers and started his acting career in 1965. His breakout film role...
, and Chung King-fai as prominent government officials. Only Lai was confirmed to be part of the official cast. "The Great Eunuch" was originally slated to begin production in March 2011, but it was pushed back to end of the year due to production difficulties.
In October 2011, TVB confirmed that the drama will begin filming in December 2011, and will continue its filming in Hengdian World Studios
Hengdian World Studios
Hengdian World Studios is the largest film studio in the world. It is located in Hengdian, a town in the city of Dongyang in Zhejiang Province. The movie studio is operated by the privately-owned Hengdian Group founded by a farmer turned millionaire Xu Wenrong. Sometimes called "Chinawood", Xu...
in March 2012. To compete with the three new free broadcasting television stations in Hong Kong, TVB invested an additional 40 percent to the production budget. Maggie Cheung Ho-yee, Maggie Shiu, Ruco Chan
Ruco Chan
Ruco Chan Chin-pang is a Hong Kong actor and singer. Chan gained fame for playing the role of Keith Lau in the TVB television legal drama The Other Truth....
, and Raymond Wong were officially announced to join the cast in October 2011; however, Chan later revealed that his role is not confirmed and he may film another production instead. A month later Nancy Wu
Nancy Wu
Nancy Wu Ding Yan is a Chinese actress contracted to TVB. In 1999, she participated in TVB's 18th Annual New Talent Singing Awards competition and finished in the top four. In 2001, she entered TVB's 3rd Annual Cover Girl Competition and won the Most Photogenic Award, the Most Fit Award, the Most...
, Edwin Siu
Edwin Siu
-Discography:*2002: Born to Fly*2002: Edwin*2003: What Do You Want Me to Do *2005: Story -Films:-Television serial dramas:-Internet serial dramas:-Awards:- External links :...
and Aimee Chan
Aimee Chan
Aimee Chan or Aimee Chan Yan Mei , born on 1 April 1981 in Toronto. She was Miss Hong Kong 2006.-Biography:Aimee was born in Toronto, Canada. Her parents were born in Hong Kong. She began her modeling career at the age of 16. She attended Woodbridge College Secondary School in Woodbridge, Ontario...
were confirmed to join through their radio interviews and official weibo fansites. Helen Ma said she and Elliot Ngok
Elliot Ngok
Elliot Ngok Wah, better known as Yueh Hua, is a former Shaw Brothers actor and veteran TVB actor.-Career:Elly was born Leung Lok Wah in Shanghai, with native Cantonese roots. He immigrated to Hong Kong in 1962. He joined Shaw Brothers and started his acting career in 1965. His breakout film role...
(an original cast member from the promotional trailer) will join the cast through a post on her weibo, and Oscar Chan uploaded a picture of his casting call on his weibo. Natalie Tong
Natalie Tong
Natalie Tong Si Wing is a TVB actress. Before becoming an actress, Natalie was once a model. Natalie once studied in Methodist College.-Films:-TV series:-Awards and nominations:Awards...
, Power Chan
Power Chan
Power Chan or Chan Kwok-Pong is an actor in Hong Kong. He has appeared in numerous TVB drama series as well as films. He dated cantopop singer and actress Mimi Lo for 7 years before marrying her on December 2, 2009.-TV series:-Film:-References:...
, Raymond Cho and Chung King-fai (also an original cast member) are confirmed to join later on.
An announcement of November 24 casting press conference was released on TVB official website at November 22 but it was removed a day after. On November 24, Wayne Lai has casted for the drama. As Helen Ma said on her Weibo, there was something wrong with the costumes of actresses, press con was cancelled as a result.
Confirmed cast
- Wayne LaiWayne LaiWayne Lai Yiu-cheung is a Hong Kong TVB actor.-Biography:Lai entered TVB in 1983 as a clerk in the business department. In 1985, he gave up the job and trained in the TVB Acting School. He starred in a few series in 1989. He started out in some minor roles, and took on some more significant roles...
will portray Li LianyingLi LianyingLi Lianying was an imperial eunuch during the Qing Dynasty who rose to power during the rule of Empress Dowager Cixi, who was the de facto ruler of China for thirty-nine years from 1869–1908. He served as the Head Eunuch until getting deposed in 1908...
(李連英), one of the most powerful imperial eunuchs during the latter years of the Qing DynastyQing DynastyThe Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
. - Maggie Cheung Ho-yee will portray Empress Dowager CixiEmpress Dowager CixiEmpress Dowager Cixi1 , of the Manchu Yehenara clan, was a powerful and charismatic figure who became the de facto ruler of the Manchu Qing Dynasty in China for 47 years from 1861 to her death in 1908....
(慈禧太后), the de factoDe factoDe facto is a Latin expression that means "concerning fact." In law, it often means "in practice but not necessarily ordained by law" or "in practice or actuality, but not officially established." It is commonly used in contrast to de jure when referring to matters of law, governance, or...
ruler of China. - Maggie Shiu will portray Empress Dowager Ci'anEmpress Dowager Ci'anEmpress Dowager Ci'an , popularly known in China as the East Empress Dowager , and officially known posthumously as the Empress Xiao Zhen Xian , was the second Empress Consort of the Xianfeng Emperor of the Manchu Qing Dynasty in China, and then Empress Dowager after 1861...
(慈安皇太后), co-ruler of China with Cixi. - Raymond Wong will portray an eunuch.
- Nancy WuNancy WuNancy Wu Ding Yan is a Chinese actress contracted to TVB. In 1999, she participated in TVB's 18th Annual New Talent Singing Awards competition and finished in the top four. In 2001, she entered TVB's 3rd Annual Cover Girl Competition and won the Most Photogenic Award, the Most Fit Award, the Most...
, Helen Ma, Elliot NgokElliot NgokElliot Ngok Wah, better known as Yueh Hua, is a former Shaw Brothers actor and veteran TVB actor.-Career:Elly was born Leung Lok Wah in Shanghai, with native Cantonese roots. He immigrated to Hong Kong in 1962. He joined Shaw Brothers and started his acting career in 1965. His breakout film role...
, Oscar Chan, Edwin SiuEdwin Siu-Discography:*2002: Born to Fly*2002: Edwin*2003: What Do You Want Me to Do *2005: Story -Films:-Television serial dramas:-Internet serial dramas:-Awards:- External links :...
, Power ChanPower ChanPower Chan or Chan Kwok-Pong is an actor in Hong Kong. He has appeared in numerous TVB drama series as well as films. He dated cantopop singer and actress Mimi Lo for 7 years before marrying her on December 2, 2009.-TV series:-Film:-References:...
, Natalie TongNatalie TongNatalie Tong Si Wing is a TVB actress. Before becoming an actress, Natalie was once a model. Natalie once studied in Methodist College.-Films:-TV series:-Awards and nominations:Awards...
, Raymond Cho and Chung King-fai are confirmed to join the cast in November 2011.