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| Which Xu Ruohan Drama Will Dominate 2026? (Photo: Weibo) |
Xu Ruohan is closing 2025 on a seriously high note. The actress, born 27 February 1998, has been rising through the ranks of China’s entertainment industry with a kind of consistency and charisma that fans instantly recognise. From action-packed period shows to soft modern romance and even sci-fi, she has proven she’s not afraid to switch gears — and her 2026 schedule is only pushing that versatility even further.
Discovered by Jackie Chan back in 2018 and debuting straight into a leading film role, Xu Ruohan didn’t take long to build a reputation for emotional, grounded performances. After graduating from Beijing Film Academy, she kept delivering, eventually earning the title of Weibo Emerging Artist of the Year 2024 and signing with Hesong Entertainment in 2023.
List of Xu Ruohan’s New Dramas Premiering in 2026
Now, she’s officially fronting five new dramas set to premiere across 2026, ranging from sweeping historical epics to youth-focused series and a twisty mystery. Here’s your full guide to each title — and what you can expect when they land.
1. Love in Red Dust (红尘四合)
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Platform: iQIYI
Episodes: 34
Genre: Historical, Romance, Action
Leads: Xu Ruohan × Wang Xingyue
Directed by: Chu Yui Bun
Status: Filming completed; estimated Q1 2026 premiere
Love in Red Dust is shaping up to be Xu Ruohan’s most dramatic historical role yet. Adapted from the novel Hong Chen Si He, the story opens on a turbulent Mid-Autumn night when fox-general Yuwen Hong Ce is ambushed, leaving his entire battalion wiped out. Swearing to uncover the truth behind the corrupt military supplies that led to the disaster, he goes into hiding.
Meanwhile, the young noblewoman Wen Dingyi loses her whole family after her father is accused of treason. Forced to survive, she disguises herself as a man named Mu Xiaoshu and trains under an executioner.
Eight years later, their paths collide in a tense execution ground rescue — unaware of each other’s pasts, identities, or the devastating truth that links their families.
Expect: secrets, political intrigue, shapeshifting folklore, and a slow-burn dynamic that could easily dominate early-2026 drama discussions.
2. Sweetest Rebellion (一枕春华)
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Platform: iQIYI
Episodes: 36
Genre: Historical Romance
Leads: Xu Ruohan × Daniel Zhou Keyu
Rumoured Premiere: Q2–Q3 2026
In Sweetest Rebellion, Xu Ruohan steps into a fresh character type — a powerful, poised business leader in an alternate ancient world. Her character Feng Jiaojiao rules her domain with confidence, only to unexpectedly cross paths with a “male Cinderella” whose presence disrupts both status and convention.
The dynamic is playful, dramatic, and laced with class tension — something fans have been craving from Xu Ruohan, who hasn’t often played this brand of elegant authority.
Expect: regal energy, reversed power dynamics, playful banter, strong-willed leads, and an aesthetic-heavy production.
3. The Lament of Autumn (玉簟秋)
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Platform: Mango TV
Episodes: 38
Genre: Historical Romance (Republic Era)
Adapted From: Yu Dian Qiu by Ling Xi
Leads: Xu Ruohan × Ryan Cheng Lei
Status: Currently filming; wraps around March 2026
Estimated Premiere: Late 2026
Easily one of the most hyped dramas of 2026, The Lament of Autumn is already being compared to Overdo, another Republic-era romance with a tragic undercurrent.
Xu Ruohan reunites with a heavier, more atmospheric narrative style here — the kind that thrives on political turmoil, impossible choices, and tightly woven emotional stakes.
Shot across Hengdian, Shanghai, and Tianjin, the production is going all-in on sweeping visuals and layered storytelling. With its blend of love, betrayal, power plays and moral dilemmas, many fans are calling this her potential “breakout masterpiece” of 2026.
Expect: a darker tone, tear-jerking romance, masterful cinematography, and intense character arcs.
4. Our Dazzling Days (烟花少年)
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Platforms: CCTV-8 + iQIYI
Episodes: 35
Genre: Youth, Urban, Friendship
Leads: Xu Ruohan, Huang Jingyu, Guan Xiaotong, Wang Tianchen
Rumoured Premiere: Early 2026
Jumping away from historical heaviness, Our Dazzling Days explores ambition, friendship, and emotional growing pains among a group of young adults chasing their dreams in the city.
This is Xu Ruohan in a more grounded, relatable role — blending warmth with real-life conflict. The production features bright visuals, energetic pacing, and a cast with solid chemistry, making it a likely hit for viewers who enjoy modern ensemble dramas.
Expect: slice-of-life charm, bittersweet moments, solid character development, and a feel-good tone ideal for a New Year release window.
5. Yi Lu Can Lan (一路灿烂)
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Platform: iQIYI
Episodes: 12
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Family Drama
Cast: Yan Ni, Ren Suxi, Ai Liya, Xu Ruohan, Tian Jiarui
Status: Filming completed
Estimated Premiere: Q3–Q4 2026
This one is completely different from Xu Ruohan’s usual repertoire — a mystery-thriller told across two timelines.
The plot follows a mother desperately searching for answers after her 18-year-old daughter disappears. The investigation pulls three women into a web of secrets, shifting loyalties, and emotional revelations. Xu Ruohan plays a key figure whose connection to the missing girl becomes more complicated as the truth unfolds.
Although only 12 episodes, the drama promises tight storytelling, atmospheric suspense, and a focus on complex family dynamics.
Expect: plot twists, emotional tension, female-led storytelling, and a gripping episodic structure.
So, What Can Viewers Expect Overall?
Xu Ruohan’s 2026 slate shows:
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More mature character choices — high-stakes roles, darker tones, bigger emotional range.
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A mix of genres — from palace intrigue to modern youth drama and full thriller mystery.
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High production backing — multiple top platforms (iQIYI, CCTV, Mango) and respected directors.
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Potential for breakout mainstream recognition — especially with The Lament of Autumn and Love in Red Dust.
It’s easily her busiest and most ambitious year so far.
So, are you excited? Which drama catches your eye first?
More titles are expected to be added as productions announce their 2026 Chinese drama schedules — so keep an eye out, because Xu Ruohan’s momentum doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon.