Actor Hu Ge and actress Liu Tao. (Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn)
Fans of TV series who love thriller epics such as Game of Thrones have a treat in store with upcoming series Nirvana in Fire or Langya Bang.
The 55-episode series, set in a fictionalized kingdom, weaves together two storylines — one on a betrayed general's revenge and the other about princes fighting for the throne.
The series, which boasts a stellar cast, will be telecast from Saturday by Beijing Satellite TV, with two episodes every night.
Chinese veteran actor Hu Ge, a heartthrob for his suave screen image, stars as the tragic protagonist, who in some senses can be taken as China's answer to Edmond Dantes in The Count of Monte Cristo. In his role in Nirvana, he is mistaken for a traitor and returns after 10 years in disguise to seek vengeance.
"If you can go until the end of the series, you will find it's not only about revenge and hatred but centers on forgiveness and mercy," says Hu, known for his work in the series Chinese Paladin.
Nirvana is inspired by a hit online novel of the same name. Online novels have now emerged as theme favorites for TV series because of their solid fan base.
Hou Hongliang, the producer, says the big-budget production took four years to make. "We want to show audiences some unlikely visual effects on spectacles and grand wars," he says.
