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| Yang Caiyu’s Next Chapter: What to Expect from Her Upcoming 2026 C-Dramas (Photo: Weibo/Yang Cai Yu) |
Ora Yang (Yang Caiyu) is quietly entering one of the most interesting phases of her career. As 2025 edges towards its finale, the Chinese-Thai actress is already lining up two very different dramas scheduled to meet audiences in 2026 — and both projects point towards a more grounded, mature evolution in her acting choices.
Born on 28 September 1992, Yang Caiyu has long been praised for her calm charisma and versatility, effortlessly moving between historical pieces, modern romance, action, and even sci-fi. From her early debut in Boy’s Diary to standout film work such as Love in the 1980s: Youth and Don’t Forget Your Original Heart, she has steadily built a reputation for choosing roles with emotional depth rather than quick spotlight appeal.
Yang Caiyu’s 2026 Drama Line-Up
Now, with two Tencent-backed series in the pipeline, 2026 is shaping up to be a defining year.
Lady Liberty (爱情没有神话) — Early 2026
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| Photo: Weibo |
40 Episodes | Romance | Tencent Video Original
Adapted from Yi Shu’s novel Du Shen Nv Ren, Lady Liberty is already one of the most talked-about urban romance dramas heading into next year. Directed by Zhang Xiaobo, the series has wrapped filming and secured its distribution licence, putting it firmly on track for an early-2026 release.
The drama centres on Lin Zhanqiao, an independent, financially secure urban woman who remains single by choice — not because she rejects love, but because she refuses to settle for anything less than sincerity and emotional equality.
Her life shifts when she meets He Han, and what begins with misunderstanding gradually turns into mutual growth in both love and career.
Cast highlights:
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Tiffany Tang Yan as Lin Zhanqiao
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Mark Chao as He Han
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Yang Caiyu as Zhou Mei
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Feng Shaofeng as Bei Wenqi
What to expect:
Yang Caiyu’s role as Zhou Mei adds another layer to the story’s emotional complexity. Rather than a straightforward romance rival, Zhou Mei is positioned as a woman shaped by realism and lived experience — someone who mirrors the real choices many urban professionals face.
Expect restrained performances, thoughtful dialogue, and a romance that focuses more on compatibility than fantasy.
Still a Family (多喜一家人) — Late 2026
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36 Episodes | Urban Family Drama | Tencent Video Original
In contrast to the polished romance of Lady Liberty, Still a Family leans into everyday realism. Directed by Fu Dongyu and Zhao Xiaoxi, the series officially began filming this year and is set for a late-2026 broadcast.
Adapted from He Feng Chui’s novel Duo Xi Yi Jia Ren, the drama revolves around a modern Chinese family whose lives are disrupted by a housing demolition project. As living spaces change, so do relationships — bringing buried tensions, old affection, and unexpected reconciliation to the surface.
Main cast includes:
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Liang Guanhua
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Jiang Xin
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Li Guangjie
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Yang Caiyu
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Feng Jiayi
What to expect:
This is where Yang Caiyu’s versatility truly comes into play. Rather than glamour or romance, Still a Family focuses on subtle emotional shifts — disagreements at the dinner table, quiet compromises, and the bittersweet reality of family bonds.
Her character is expected to represent a younger urban generation caught between personal ambition and family responsibility, making the story relatable across age groups.
Two Mature Roles Set to Redefine Her Career
What makes these two c-dramas stand out isn’t just their scale or cast — it’s how clearly they signal Yang Caiyu’s transition into more layered, adult storytelling.
One project explores modern love with emotional clarity, while the other reflects social change through family dynamics.
Neither role relies on loud drama or exaggerated conflict. Instead, both lean into realism, which feels very much in line with where Chinese urban storytelling is heading.
So, which one has caught your eye — the reflective romance of Lady Liberty or the grounded family realism of Still a Family?
More updates on Yang Caiyu’s upcoming projects will follow as schedules and broadcasts are confirmed.