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| ‘Spying’ Casts Xiao Zhan as Main Lead (Weibo/Youku) |
After weeks of whispers and online buzz, it's finally confirmed – Xiao Zhan is stepping into the world of espionage as the main character in Spying (谍报上不封顶), a 2025 thriller drama set in the Chinese Republican era.
The series will stream exclusively on Youku and is already shaping up to be one of the year’s most anticipated releases.
Starring Xiao Zhan and Zhou Dongyu, filming began in Shanghai at the end of May and is scheduled to last 130 days.
Adapted from the novel by Sang Zhi Zhi, Spying tells the gripping tale of Ren Shaobai – a former wealthy gentleman from Jinling who leaves behind his privileged life to join the revolutionary underground.
Caught between duty and danger, he infiltrates the Kuomintang’s intelligence circles, passing crucial information while constantly at risk of being exposed.
What’s more exciting?
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This marks Xiao Zhan’s first foray into the spy war genre – and fans already know how much he loves to challenge himself with bold, varied roles.
From gentle romantic leads to complex, tormented souls, Xiao Zhan’s acting range continues to expand, and Spying looks to be another stellar milestone.
The drama boasts a powerhouse team behind the scenes, with Zhang Kaizhou (of Romance in the Alley fame) directing, a script penned by Xu Ruoxin and Gong Qi, and production handled by Daylight Entertainment, led by Hou Hongliang, who also produced hit series like Reset.
The pedigree screams quality.
The character of Ren Shaobai is layered – he starts off reluctant but becomes a key player in the intelligence web, navigating loyalty, betrayal, and belief in a time of immense upheaval.
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| Youku |
His interactions with Lan Youyin, a genius widow-turned-assassin, add intrigue and emotional weight to the already intense storyline.
A dramatic 40-episode run is planned, packed with twists, psychological tension, and moral dilemmas. Politics, power, secrets, and sacrifice – it’s all there.
And in true star fashion, the official solo announcement dropped with a striking concept poster of Xiao Zhan as Ren Shaobai, released right at 10:05, making it crystal clear who the centre of the story is.
No ensemble intro, no sharing the spotlight – just Xiao Zhan front and centre.
So, get ready to see a whole new side of Xiao Zhan.
This isn’t just another costume drama.
Spying looks like it's going to be dark, gripping, and seriously addictive.