 |
| Mao Xiaotong Is Booked and Busy: All Her New Chinese Dramas Set for 2026 (Photo: Weibo/Sohu) |
Actress Mao Xiaotong is heading into 2026 with the kind of momentum many actresses wait years for. As 2025 quietly wraps up, her career is in a noticeably stronger place — not louder, not flashier, but far more assured. Known for her calm screen presence and ability to move between genres without losing her identity, Mao Xiao Tong has steadily built a reputation as a performer who delivers consistency, emotional control, and depth rather than relying on hype.
This year alone, she led two very different projects, Light Beyond the Reed and The Depths of Wumeng, both of which earned solid overall responses for their storytelling and tone. Instead of playing safe, Mao Xiaotong leaned into characters that demanded restraint, maturity, and emotional clarity — a clear sign of where her acting focus is heading. And with 2026 approaching, that evolution becomes even more obvious.
Mao Xiaotong’s 2026 Drama Line-up
From historical war epics and wuxia fantasy to medical romance and strategic intrigue, Mao Xiaotong is officially stepping into one of the most diverse and demanding phases of her career yet.
The Fated General (风起大漠)
 |
This is easily the biggest production on Mao Xiaotong’s 2026 slate. A 75-episode wuxia fantasy war drama set during the Western Han Dynasty, The Fated General leans heavily into epic storytelling, battlefield strategy, and political ambition.
The story follows Huo Qu Bing, an illegitimate son born into hardship who rises through sheer skill and intelligence to become a legendary military figure.
Against the backdrop of border conflicts and imperial power struggles, the series explores loyalty, sacrifice, and the cost of victory. With Emperor Wu of Han launching decisive campaigns against northern threats, the narrative promises large-scale war scenes and intense emotional turns.
What to expect here is high-budget production value, long-form character development, and a more grounded, serious tone compared to typical idol historical dramas. Mao Xiaotong’s role is expected to reflect a composed, resilient presence that balances the male-led war narrative.
Cast:
Mao Xiaotong, Bai Yu, Zhang Ruoyun, Xu Yue, Li Hongyi, Yu Menglong
Status-wise, filming is complete and the distribution licence has already been obtained, making a 2026 broadcast highly likely.
The Heart Season 2 (问心 第二季)
 |
After the emotional impact of its first season, The Heart Season 2 returns with higher stakes, deeper conflicts, and more complicated relationships. Set two years after the original story, this medical romance drama moves beyond idealism into the realities of power, responsibility, and personal limits.
Zhou Xiaofeng returns from a medical mission and steps into a leadership role, but the once-solid “Sharp Knife Squad” begins to fracture. Lin Yi faces internal pressure rooted in family medical history, while Fang Xiaoran remains the emotional anchor, watching friendships and ideals tested by life-and-death decisions.
For Mao Xiaotong, this season allows her to lean into emotional nuance rather than spectacle. Expect quieter scenes, moral dilemmas, and relationship tension rather than dramatic twists for shock value.
Cast:
Mark Chao, Mao Xiaotong, Jin Shijia
With filming completed and release planned for late 2026, this one is shaping up to be a strong follow-up rather than a rushed sequel.
The Legend of Sealed Book (平妖传)
 |
This fantasy romance wuxia drama blends myth, family tragedy, and moral conflict. The story centres on Hu Yong Er, a young woman who learns mystical powers from a heavenly sealed book and uses them to help others, only to be hunted by the very system she tried to protect.
The twist lies in her lineage: the saintess who trained her is actually her birth mother and leader of the Tushan Sect, while the man pursuing her is her own elder brother, who betrayed the sect for personal ambition. As the scattered heavenly books resurface, the story escalates into a battle that mixes family loyalty with world-saving stakes.
Viewers can expect classic wuxia fantasy energy, emotional confrontations, and layered female character arcs. Mao Xiaotong’s role fits well into a story driven by inner conflict and growth rather than pure action.
Cast:
Mao Xiaotong, Chen Ruoxuan, Feng Junxi, Wu Shuangyi
Scheduled for release between Q3 and Q4 2026, this series is one for fans of myth-based storytelling with emotional weight.
The Ingenious One Season 2 (云襄传 第二季)
 |
Season 2 picks up with Yun Xiang attempting to live a quiet life, only to be dragged back into the underworld by a new and dangerous conspiracy. Old allies reunite, new threats emerge, and the cost of knowing the truth becomes heavier than before.
Compared to the first season, this instalment is expected to lean more into strategy, mind games, and moral grey areas. Mao Xiaotong’s character continues to be part of a larger ensemble dynamic, where loyalty and trust are constantly tested.
Cast:
Mao Xiaotong, Chen Xiao, Liu Guanlin, Cheng Xiao, Liu Xuening
Planned for a Q2 2026 release, this series is ideal for viewers who enjoy smart plotting over flashy action.
Painting Jianghu (画江湖之不良人)
 |
Adapted from a popular donghua, Painting Jianghu brings the chaotic world of Jianghu into live-action form. Set during the Tang Dynasty, the plot revolves around a secret organisation seeking a legendary weapon known as the dragon sword, triggering assassinations and leaving two children orphaned in a violent world.
Trained in martial arts by Elder Yang, the surviving youths grow up navigating conspiracies, rival sects, and personal destinies, while also encountering love along the way. The tone here is darker and more intense, with a strong focus on survival and identity.
This project gives Mao Xiaotong room to explore a grittier wuxia atmosphere, blending emotional storytelling with action-heavy sequences.
Cast:
Mao Xiaotong, Yang Xuwen, Cristy Guo, Zhang Haoran, Li Junchen, Zhou Yiwei
Currently planned for a 2026 release, this drama has strong potential among wuxia and donghua fans alike.
Your Watchlist?
Looking at this line-up, it’s clear that Mao Xiaotong isn’t just staying busy — she’s being selective. Each project pushes her into different emotional spaces, genres, and storytelling styles. Whether it’s historical warfare, medical ethics, or fantasy-driven family conflict, 2026 feels like a defining year for her career.
More projects & c-dramas may still be added or adjusted, but for now, this slate alone gives viewers plenty to look forward to.
So, which one’s already on your watchlist?