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| Luo Yunxi Leads the Charge in iQIYI’s Fantasy Thriller Shadow Punisher |
It’s official, folks – the long-rumoured historical suspense drama Shadow Punisher (影之刑者) has finally kicked off filming with a proper boot ceremony at Hengdian, and the cast is absolutely stacked. Leading the charge is none other than Luo Yunxi (Leo Luo), stepping into the role of Prince Li Si – a sharp-minded detective who’s got one foot in the royal court and the other chasing shadows in the darkest corners of the empire.
But he’s not going in alone. This isn’t just your average period drama – Shadow Punisher brings together a team of oddballs and geniuses, each with their own deadly skills, and all tasked with solving some seriously freaky crimes.
Joining Luo Yunxi is Fang Yilun as Meng Rui, the so-called "ghost catcher" with fierce martial arts skills and a whole load of unresolved grudges. Then we’ve got Shen Yujie as Bai Zhenzhu – arguably the best female coroner in the land, with brains and precision to match.
He Hongshan steps in as the firm but fair female chief Xuanyuan Shan, while Wang Haixiang rounds out the core group as the brawny, no-nonsense ‘iron catcher’ Yan Cheng.
There’s also a special appearance by Ma Wenyuan as the enigmatic General Lou Tianming – adding an extra layer of intrigue to an already mysterious mix.
To celebrate the start of production, the studio dropped the first set of character posters, giving us a cheeky preview of the drama’s gritty vibe and moody visuals. Think dark robes, intense gazes, and a hint of the supernatural.
What’s Shadow Punisher All About, Then?
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Based on the popular novel by Wang Ke, Shadow Punisher fuses detective drama with martial arts flair, political scheming, and a sprinkle of the supernatural. It’s set in a world where the dead don’t always stay quiet and justice isn’t always black and white.
The story kicks off with Qingyang Prince Li Si joining the elite Divine Detective Division in a bid to uncover the truth behind the mysterious death of the fourth prince – a case that’s been buried in secrets. Teaming up with Meng Rui and Bai Zhenzhu, he dives headfirst into eight chilling and increasingly twisted cases – all linked to a sinister figure named Li Luo, who may or may not be entirely human.
As the trio works to unravel clues and face demonic forces, they must not only solve crimes but also survive political dangers, personal vendettas, and supernatural threats.
First Reactions? It’s Already Heating Up
Even before release, fans are already buzzing about Shadow Punisher for its bold mix of genres and stylish cast. Luo Yunxi’s transformation into a cold, calculating prince with a tragic backstory has netizens hyped, while Shen Yujie’s role as a genius female coroner is being praised for giving more spotlight to clever, capable women in historical dramas.
And let’s not lie – the combo of mystery, martial arts and the supernatural? We’re absolutely here for it.
Where to Watch?
No official release date yet, but Shadow Punisher is set to premiere on iQiyi. Expect a full episode rollout with both local and international streaming options – most likely with multilingual subtitles available on launch.