TV King, Wayne Lai (黎耀祥), Raymond Wong (黃浩然), Maggie Shiu (邵美琪), Michelle Yim (米雪), Aimee Chan (陳茵媺), Nancy Wu (胡定欣), and Natalie Tong (唐詩詠) attended the prayer ceremony for new TVB series, Big Eunuch (大太監). Originally, Michelle Yim had to pass the opportunity to portray the role of Empress Dowager Cixi due to her work schedule, in which Maggie Cheung (張可頤) had been announced to take the role instead. As a result of delayed filming, the casting reverted back to its original plan and Michelle was excited to partake in Big Eunuch.
Michelle Yim Looks Forward to New Challenges
Michelle Yim noted, “Fortunately, the filming for Big Eunuch was delayed, thus I had a chance to join the cast! I had to refuse many other filming projects in order to take this role!” However, she did not mind losing out [on money] to take on a good script and the chance to work with good costars. Michelle revealed that the scriptwriters put a lot of effort into constructing the dialogue, which often contained rarely used phrases and will pose as a new challenge for Michelle.
Wayne Lai: “Li Lianying Is Not Evil!”
Wayne Lai indicated that no matter who his costar was, he was happy. He looked forward to collaborating with Michelle Yim, praising her for her extensive experience. During the filming process, they complemented each other. Big Eunuch has already completed 10 days of filming. Wayne joked that he was “completely castrated” to portray the eunuch character, Li Lianying. At the prayer ceremony, Wayne knelt before Michelle and escorted her hand as per palace formalities.
Wayne indicated that Big Eunuch did not resemble the typical palace fighting series. The drama will also explore the journey of Li Lianying rising from a low-level eunuch to become one of the Empress Dowager’s must trusted confidantes. Wayne revealed that he will portray Li Lianying as a 20-year-old to 40-year-old man.
The Li Lianying character gave the impression that it was an evil role. Wayne said that it was difficult to classify Li Lianying purely as a good or evil character. He explained that Li Lianying knew how to deal with interpersonal relationships extremely well. Historically, it was known that he had money-making mechanisms and knew how to establish harmony between his subordinates and superiors. Thus, it was difficult to say that he was an evil character. Wayne indicated his excitement and enthusiasm in taking the role.
In an earlier report, it was revealed that Nancy Wu and Wayne will portray the love relationship of a palace maid and eunuch.
Maggie Shiu Confronted About Marriage Rumors
Maggie Shiu will portray the role of Empress Ci’an in Big Eunuch. Reporters teased Maggie about her marriage rumors with martial arts actor, Vincent Sze (施祖男) and whether she will be distributing lucky packets for Lunar New Year. Maggie laughed, “Artists have always given out lucky packets for Lunar New Year!” (Does it feel different to give out lucky packets with your new marital status?) “Let’s not talk about personal matters! How about we leave it for discussion next time?!”
Regarding the banning in the broadcast of When Heaven Burns (天與地) in mainland China, Maggie said, “Tell the mainland audience to find a friend to record the episodes! If they wish to watch the series, there will be a way!”
TVB series, Big Eunuch, is produced by Law Wing Yin (羅永賢). Additional cast members include: Elliot Ngok (嶽華), Power Chan (陳國邦), Raymond Cho (曹永廉), Chung King Fai (鍾景輝), Cheung Kwok Keung (張國強), Edwin Siu (蕭正楠), Helen Ma ( 馬海倫), Oscar Leung (梁烈唯), Jimmy Au (歐瑞偉), Lo Chun Shun (魯振順), Fred Cheng (鄭俊弘) and many other artists.
Jayne: I think Wayne will excel in the role of Li Lianying. He is especially convincing in historical dramas, as Wayne is an eloquent speaker with a good knowledge of Chinese classics, poetry, and literature.
I wonder if Raymond Wong (as an eunuch) will have any romances with either Natalie Tong or Aimee Chan? Hehe Raymond will portray a highly desirable eunuch among the palace ladies?
I look forward to seeing Oscar Leung as an emperor. Hope the role will let him shine and glad he was not cast as another eunuch.
I think Elliot Ngok looks more like royalty rather than an eunuch. Lo Chun Shun on the other hand is quite convincing as an eunuch.
Tags: Big Eunuch, Maggie Shiu Mei Kei, Michelle Yim, Raymond Wong Ho Yin, TVB Series, Wayne Lai Yiu Cheung
The cast is great! Many veterans and a few ‘fresh’ faces (by this, I mean not Tavia, Myolie, Linda, Fala and Kate. I have nothing against them though):D I hope Aimee’s western-ness won’t ruin it though… She really looks like Christine Kuo by the way. :O
In the above pic she really does look like Christine Kuo
I think Aimee will struggle with the dialogue the most as she still has a bit of an accent.
Michelle looks so royal and beautiful. The costumes are really nice. Raymond Wong as an eunuch is …(lol) but I know he can be convincing since he can do this high pitch voice like a woman (something like in Can’t Buy Me Love ). TVB is sure promoting Aimee (even letting her lead a series in 2012) but I mean she can’t even speak her modern Cantonese right. But I do anticipate this series. Let see how this series is different than other TVB typical palace fighting series.
Yes. I hope this is not another palace fighting dramas between the male this time. I like what Wayne said, explore the journey of an eunuch from how his early life was as a low level eunuch to a most trusted and influencial person, his bio-graphy would be more anticipated.
I still hope ray wong is an undercover eunuch. What a waste if he really is one!
Hehe… Oscar is lucky he avoided castration.
How come Nancy is always paired w/ Wayne? Give her a hunk already!
Fantastic cast. I think Ngok Wah will be excellent as an evil eunuch. Just look at him in that photo! He even looks castrated.
Michelle Yim doesn’t look like Michelle Yim, which is good. Might be a waste to use Oscar Leung as a dumb emperor but that’s fine, I love Oscar. Wayne Lai will probably shine again here as ancient palace series usually require emotions and messages to be conveyed strongly through the eyes and tone of speech – something I think Wayne excels in.
Man I can’t wait.
Oh, as for Aimee, I don’t think we have to worry too much about her because the rest of the cast will be so good her presence will be insignificant.
Really looking forward this serie. From the look of the costumes and the main casts: Michelle, Wayne, Raymond Wong, and etc., this serie looks like a good one.
Wayne and Nancy seemed a matching couple in Forensic Heroes 3, so I’m glad that they have scenes together in this serie.
You are right. Wayne and Nancy seem to be perfect match too. Good chemistry,never thought that Nancy would played well as Wayne ‘s wife so well. At first, thought they are not compatible but the result is pleasantly surprised. Nancy played well in her role as Eva, though she is not my fav. And of course, with Wayne leading her, is one of the success factor…i guess:)
The Emperors under Cixi were not dumb. They just lack power because Cixi refused to release her power. Cixi was regent when the Emperors were still babies or toddlers. So, can you imagine the power she has consolidated when they reach adulthood?
I actually felt Emperor Tongzhi was rather tragic. He’s the Emperor, but, has a power crazy mother.
Oscar Leung is simply my most looking forward artist in this one. Can’t wait to see him.
I think Oscar’s character as Emperor Tongzhi sounds interesting
Why? Never thought much of him even though he is a decent actor. Didn’t even know his name. I’m surprised he’s given the Emperor role in such a grand production…. but perhaps he looks the part of a weak, young Emperor?
Actually he looks like the real tongzhi in the portrait although maybe a tad too old for the role but who else can be young enough to play that role? I think Oscar can play that role.
Because Wai Wai is one of the actors in TVB I think to have very good acting skill but never had chance to act big roles before. It would be so sweet if Wai Wai can make something big because I want to see him more. If one day Wai Wai has leading role, I’ll shout out loud happily.
His age is old but his face is very young. This guy is someone who can convince me that he can act 19-20 years old guy.
Firstly, the English title of “Big Eunuch” sounds really stupid. They really need to put a bit more thought into it. Even “The Great Eunuch” sounds much better.
Secondly, If a drama (When heaven burns) is banned. Why the hell is Maggie Shiu asking others have friends record it outside mainland. Isn’t that encouraging others to break the law?
supportive of her own series. Nothing is wrong with that. plus, she’s merely joking, I say.
by illegal means… Gees, you have morals don’t you.
It a tentative title. They will most probably change it after they finish filming the series. The earlier english title is seldom the final one.
Check out this tentative vs final english title
Beautiful Spear – Strike At Heart
Yummy Yummy – Food for Life
Palatial Sin – War and Beauty
Heaven and Earth – When Heaven Burns
Queen of All – Curse of the Royal Harem
Hongwu 32 – Relic of an Emissary
Technically, Yummy Yummy is the Chinese title then. I like ‘queen of all’ better than CotRH.
Anyway, any title w/ eunuch in it will not sound too good. Maybe they could pick something like ‘all the queen’s men’.
TVB series always have a very unique English title…
The head gear, like someone stretched it higher. I thought I saw grapes on one of the head gear. Not pretty. But Wayne Lai of course can be a competent eunuch. If I remember correctly he was eunuch before. Which series? Can’t remember though. I just saw last episode of no regrets and I can say I have never seen an actor portray someone coming out of a coma after 6 days of coma so convincingly, the bloodshot eyes, the rolling of eyes, one eyelid opened first and then the other… Wayne Lai excellent actor and he can be rather romantic as well. He was after all “tin pung yuen shui”!!
Agree. Wayne in No Regrets is very very good. He is romantic too especially when he was looking deep into gau Ku Leong’s eyes and talking to her. Remember the part he saved her from the detention camp and both were in the boat. That part was very romantic. Although both conversed very minimal, but the eye contact was so damn good. Perfect chemistry! Love it very much & missing them too.
“Lianying knew how to deal with interpersonal relationships extremely well. Historically, it was known that he had money-making mechanisms and knew how to establish harmony between his subordinates and superiors. Thus, it was difficult to say that he was an evil character.”
rumour has it he threw his own niece or some relations down the well on the orders of this despicable woman. If that is not evil, what is? I am sure he did many of her dirty works. He wasn’t just profiting money wise as in greedy, he was her henchman. Why do you suppose Cixi kept him by her side? Of course you can also say was he her lover? Maybe.. maybe… but a eunuch always owe allegiance to their master.
““Tell the mainland audience to find a friend to record the episodes! If they wish to watch the series, there will be a way!””
Or better way Maggie. Come to Malaysia and buy the region free DVD!! Smuggle home in your bra and watch at your own free time.
“Michelle revealed that the scriptwriters put a lot of effort into constructing the dialogue, which often contained rarely used phrases and will pose as a new challenge for Michelle.”
And another use of Lou Choi by the concubine to bigger ranked concubine and I will switch off the TV. TVB, work on the ettiquette!!
Was looking forward to the Big Eunuch since last year’s trailer. Another year to wait now..! Wayne Lai may just grab another TVB King award with this role – he is absolutely perfect for this part.
Front row, left-side, second guy — doesn’t he look like he could be Wayne Lai’s brother? I always thought the two have some resemblance.
Why is Raymond Wong placed in second row when others who are not as popular are standing in first?
hehe, that’s Power Chan. Many people used to get them mixed up early on in their careers. They should definitely play brothers in a series one day. Hopefully Power has a good role in this where he can excel. Would love for him to get a “big break” like Wayne
I used to mix them up too in early days. I also really hope Power Chan will have his break soon. He is indeed a very good actor.
Because his role isn’t important?
But my 2 fave in first row: Wai Wai and Power. Good through.
It’s a long time I’ve not seen those cardboard headgears in a Qing Dynasty series. I miss it and welcome it back.
wai wai gets to be emperor! haha. i’ve been liking him more and more lately, whether it’s from dramas or varieties. hopefully this will be the character that will bring his name out to the public more
Hi 5! I really hope that Wai Wai can have a role to shine more. His skill is actually better than some leading guys now.
*cough* Ron…*cough* Him…
Really looking forward to this. Michelle Yim, I am really excited for her acting. maggie, no offense, not that much. She is not my type of audience.
Hey Kidd.
Almost perfect cast (no hope for Aimee Chan, lol).
Looks like a great cast overall. I just hope that the plot will be fresh and new as well as the dialogue. I don’t think that we need to worry much about Aimee since I don’t think her part will be that big anyways. The costumes are ok but I wish that the headgear for the women were better. I wonder why they don’t have those dangling knots hanging on the sides?? I think it would make the headgears look a lot nicer…
I think the headdress are better decorated. Many china series have such beautiful headdress.
But regarding the “dangling knots”, maybe they are trying for “historical accuracy” again, because many people are not allowed to wear the “dangling knots”.
oops i mean “can be better decorated”.
Really?? I did not know that many people were not allowed to wear those dangling knots. If that were the case, then at least the Empress dowager and queen would get to wear it. There are actual photos so I guess I should check them out and see if they did wear them back then.
If you look at the photos of Cixi, she seldom wears them. It seems that for most people, it can only been worn on special occasions or when visiting the palace. Like when a girl gets married, she can wear the dangling ornament for a month. The empress and the primary wife of princes, can wear two ornaments, and the imperial concubines and the secondary wives can wear only one ornament. Idk if those women can wear it on a daily basis.
Also, the taller and exaggerated style of headdress used in this series, was invented by Cixi.
Thanks for the info! I did notice that some can wear one and some can wear 2. I think it just depends on their rank right?? I guess it looked good so many TV series would allow them to be worn or used all the time…But they seemed to be worn according to rank…
If you like to find out more about the different types of headdresses, you can look at these two topics in chinese.
http://tieba.baidu.com/p/1260664013
http://tieba.baidu.com/p/1263454670
The first one discusses the headdresses in Palace – The story of Zhen Huan, where the main character wore over 20+ headgears in the series. I think in the whole story, there’s at least 80 different headdresses for all the characters. The accessories used in that series is really incomparable. Not even BBJX can match up to its standard.
The 2nd one discusses n compares BBJX headdresses with other series, and also the style of headdresses suitable for court ladies of different status.
@Nicole,
Thanks so much for the links and info. Too bad I am lazy to read it all and just skim it… But it is great to know more about it since I have always been fascinated with the headgear from the Qing dynasty.
Who will Raymond Cho play?? I always get him and Raymond Wong mixed up..
hehe…ya both also raymond.
I fully supported the idea that Wayne Lai should grab the award – “Best Male Actor 2012″. His acting is excellent and the role fit him.
You can predict the future?
I cannot predict future and so are any human. We are not God but we are cognizant that Wayne Lai’s superb acting. If one is excellent, he or she should deserve the award unless there is a bull reign that determine so and so is more eligible or better deserve. But then, this is not a fair play! Although everyone know and or very much understand that in today world which is so realistic and materialistic, there is no such thing as ‘Just’ and or ‘Righteous’. If that is the case, dont have this award going. Just label it as ‘Best Male or Female Award According Whims & Fancy’. Because this award will be absolutely meaningless even if one artiste got it through connection or has received favor from undisclosed political support.
If Wayne was the superb, I really wonder why it took over 20+ years to give him some recognition???
I think it’s a matter of opportunity, the right timing and good role. Many artists often say “they won this award not because they’re good but they got a good script/role from a good series” something like dat.. so I pressumed Wayne only get recognized thru good roles like “Pig” in Journey to West and the character “lau sing”. He was appreciated because he often acted as either kelefe or 2nd lead in most tvb series last time.
I meant to say “he was not appreciated because he often acted either as kelefe or 2nd lead in most tvb series last time”
Because he didn’t have the typical look, built and height of a leading man. It was just a matter of time a chance is given to him to prove himself. He already had recognition, the recognition you’re talking about is the leading man status.
Sometimes it take opportunity and the so called ‘look’ that people in Hongkong want to see. Some artistes are not good looking and their acting is not good, including do not even possess the ‘star’ image – short, small tiny eyes, poor dentures (1 front tooth longer than the rest). To say it all, most male artistes do not have those ‘STAR” features etc. Despite having these negative image, they sailed through and are well received not because they are good, but perhaps through connection and being favour. Or it could be those period, people do not realise or able to appreciate and critique what is best! To inject more description to this concern, reflect through those male artistes from 1960s to 2011. Look at ‘Sum Mah Chai’ and the opportunity he has during that period! Be it in TVB HK, ATV and other stations, there are many politics that can change a person fortune – famous or forever be a 3rd class ‘CAMEO’ kelefe. Like in Wayne case, he is much better looking than other lead actor during his time but he was not given the opportunity – a good script/role or to be a lead. That could be the reason why it takes more than 20 donkey years to reach that recognition.
Just to add more to this comment regarding typical build – look at Tony Leung Chiu Wai and Ronald Cheng. Both Tony or Ronald physical and or typical build is ordinary. What about their acting? It is so so only! If want to add on, there are many on the list, too.
LOL, if Tony Leung is only so so in acting Wayne Lai can be considered a newbie at best and most TVB artists can be considered amateurs!
To add more evidence into height, built etc, the fact is most male artistes TVB HK is ‘SHORT’ except Simon Yam, Michael Mui Kiu Wai, and Chow Yun Fatt to name a few. These male artistes mentioned can be considered as having the ‘STAR’ look.
Looking forward to this series! I think Michelle would make a great Dowager Empress Ci’Xi since the makeup and costume looks compromising & convincing.
Yes, exactly. Michelle make a perfect Dowager. She is great in her acting! The role of a great Dowager suit her well.
I cannot predict future and so are any human. We are not God but we are cognizant that Wayne Lai’s superb acting. If one is excellent, he or she should deserve the award unless there is a bull reign that determine so and so is more eligible or better deserve. But then, this is not a fair play! Although everyone know and or very much understand that in today world which is so realistic and materialistic, there is no such thing as ‘Just’ and or ‘Righteous’. If that is the case, dont have this award going. Just label it as ‘Best Male or Female Award According Whims & Fancy’. Because this award will be absolutely meaningless even if one artiste got it through connection or has received favor from undisclosed political support.
Newbie because people dont know how to appreciate Wayne Lai and others like Wayne who worked hard but do not have the golden opportunity to be lead and given a good script. Whereas Tony Leung was given abundance of support back then and to date. Maybe the popularity at TVB prefer ‘Short Amateur but forgot that height sometimes do matter! If they are good, they deserve this recognition! Seeing Tony Leung since 1980s to date he is only so so as compared to Chow Yun Fatt and Simon Yam (these are truly great Amateur) and perhaps Wayne (if TVB address the issue of equal opportunity and no biases when award is concern, some KELEFE too can turn into a dragon if they are given the golden opportunity). Maybe the argument here is most prefer ‘Shorty’ as their ‘Hero’ and or ‘Amateur’. No wonder we have ‘SUM MAH CHAI’ – short, thin appearance feature of almost drug addict appear as hero in many cinema screens back then – ‘black and white’ in the 1960s! or hero having one front tooth longer than the rest.
Tony is 170 cm (170 Centimeters = 5.57742782 Feet). No typical built and or have the ‘Star Appearance’ except his ‘Boyish Look’. So, he have to thanks the God for this ‘so so look’. Otherwise, he will certainly share similar fate like a newbie or worst a ‘Kelefe’. This goes to small eyes ‘Ronald Cheng’, too. So, for those male artistes who is less than 5 feet 6 inches and with small tiny eyes, thanks the
So, for those male artistes who is less than 5 feet 6 inches and with small tiny eyes, thanks the sponsoring station for making you famous not because you can act well and or superb, it is just plain poor and bad taste!