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| The Palace Stewardess Chinese Drama: Release Timeline, Cast Updates, and What to Expect (Photo: Tencent) |
One of the most talked-about upcoming Chinese dramas right now, The Palace Stewardess (司宫令), is steadily building hype ahead of its expected 2026 release. From casting rumours to its palace-meets-culinary setting, this one is already shaping up to be a must-watch for costume drama fans.
Fronted by Song Zuer, the drama marks another major step in her highly anticipated return to the small screen, following a string of well-received projects.
While the male lead is still officially unconfirmed, that uncertainty hasn’t slowed the buzz at all — if anything, it has fuelled it.
What Is The Palace Stewardess About?
Set during the Song Dynasty, The Palace Stewardess tells the story of a woman navigating palace life not through power or birthright, but through skill, intelligence, and food.
Yes — this is a palace workplace drama with a culinary twist.
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Rather than focusing purely on romance, the story leans heavily into:
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Palace hierarchy and daily operations
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Female ambition and survival
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Quiet power struggles behind the scenes
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Emotional growth through work, not status
Adapted from the popular novel Si Gong Ling by Milan Lady, the drama explores how women carve out space and authority inside rigid systems, making it very much female-lead centric.
Song Zuer’s comeback has been one of the most positive C-ent stories of 2025. Her recent dramas The Demon Hunter’s Romance and The Prisoner of Beauty both landed strong reactions, with viewers praising her emotional control and screen presence.
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Since then, she has wrapped filming for Wish You All the Best, and industry chatter suggests she’s been courted by multiple high-profile projects.
Choosing The Palace Stewardess feels strategic — a layered role, a prestige production, and a genre that suits her strengths perfectly.
At the moment, the male lead remains unconfirmed.
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Earlier rumours linked the role to Xu Kai then Deng Wei, Zhang Wanyi, and while online speculation continues, the production team has yet to make any official announcement. Netizens, however, are already sold on the pairing concept, with many saying the potential main cast is “exactly what we’ve been dreaming of”.
In short: expectations are high, whoever gets the role.
Online reactions have been overwhelmingly positive since the project details surfaced.
Behind-the-scenes clips circulating on Chinese social media have only added to the excitement, especially with fans praising the warm atmosphere and natural acting chemistry seen during filming prep.
When Will The Palace Stewardess Be Released?
Here’s what we know so far:
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Filming: Tentatively scheduled for Q1 2026
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Platform: WeTV / Tencent Video
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Expected Premiere: Late 2026, if production stays on track
While no official air date has been announced, the timeline fits Tencent’s usual schedule for large-scale costume dramas.
How and Where to Watch The Palace Stewardess (International Viewers)
International fans won’t be left out.
Where to Watch:
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WeTV (Tencent’s global streaming platform)
Language Options:
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English subtitles are expected to be available for international regions, as with most Tencent costume dramas.
How to Watch:
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Download or access the WeTV app
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Search for The Palace Stewardess once it premieres
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Select English subtitles (usually available from episode one)
Availability may vary slightly by region, but WeTV typically prioritises global releases for high-profile projects like this.
im still here... and will be for a bit longer 🥹#liuyuning #songzuer pic.twitter.com/tWFlQePwoP
— lulu 🌻 (@inthebubbIes) December 23, 2025
What to Expect From The Palace Stewardess
If you’re wondering whether this drama is worth adding to your watchlist, here’s what it’s shaping up to deliver:
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Strong female-driven storytelling
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Palace intrigue without excessive melodrama
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Culinary elements woven into character growth
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High-end costume and set design
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A slower, more mature romance arc
With a respected screenwriter behind the script and a source novel known for its layered storytelling, expectations are firmly on the high side.
Between its S+ project status, Song Zuer’s return, and Tencent’s reputation for polished historical dramas, The Palace Stewardess feels positioned as one of the platform’s flagship titles.
If filming begins as planned, this is very likely to dominate discussions when it finally lands — especially among fans who enjoy palace dramas that balance heart, strategy, and everyday resilience.