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| Yang Mi & Liu Xueyi Tipped to Star in Youku’s Epic The Reign of Northern Wei (Via: Weibo) |
The melon mill is buzzing again — and this time it’s pointing towards one of the biggest upcoming costume dramas on Youku’s female-centric slate.
The project in question is The Reign of Northern Wei (江山大同), a large-scale historical drama said to be backed by the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, making it a prestige-tier production from the get-go.
Cast and Creative Team
Early reports suggest Yang Mi and Liu Xueyi are in talks to headline the series. Yang Mi, a familiar name in both costume epics and modern dramas, is said to be circling the role of Feng Xi, while Liu Xueyi could step into the part of Tuoba Jun.
If confirmed, this pairing would be one of the biggest selling points for Youku in 2025.
Behind the script is Jin Haishu, best known for penning The Wind Blows from Longxi, which was praised for its layered storytelling.
With a heavyweight writer attached, expectations are already high that this won’t just be another palace intrigue but a sweeping story grounded in history and character depth.
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The Story
Set during the era of the Northern and Southern Dynasties, the drama follows the power struggles surrounding the mighty Northern Wei.
To survive, the king of Northern Yan offers his daughter Feng Xi as a concubine to Tuoba Tao. But Tuoba Tao’s ambitions are unstoppable, and he goes on to conquer Northern Xia, Northern Yan, and Northern Liang, consolidating the northern territories under Wei rule.
Amid this turmoil, Feng Xi secretly plots to revive her homeland of Yan. After Tuoba Tao’s death, the throne passes to Tuoba Jun, who defies convention by naming Feng Xi’s niece, Feng Yi’er, as empress.
Guided by Feng Xi’s influence, Feng Yi’er gradually rises to power herself, eventually steering Northern Wei towards unity and reconciliation.
Her leadership, marked by decisive moves against conservative factions and policies embracing Han culture, cements her place in history as a figure who shaped the integration of northern ethnic groups.
What We Know So Far
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Platform: Youku (female-centric historical lineup)
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Rumoured Cast: Yang Mi, Liu Xueyi
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Screenwriter: Jin Haishu (The Wind Blows from Longxi)
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Scale: Major historical epic backed by SARFT
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Filming: Expected to kick off Q3 2025
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Status: Still unconfirmed, but the buzz is strong enough to make it a leading contender for official announcement
If this all comes together, The Reign of Northern Wei is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about historical dramas of 2026.