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| Chen Zheyuan 2026 Drama Line-Up: Thriller, Historical Romance and Mystery Projects (Photo: Weibo) |
If 2025 proved anything, it’s that Chinese actor Chen Zheyuan has officially entered his career power phase. With back-to-back solid performances and stable ratings last year (The White Olive Tree & Fated Hearts), the actor is stepping into 2026 with confidence, range, and noticeably heavier storytelling choices.
From gritty realism and political warfare to high-stakes romance and mystery, his upcoming slate shows a clear shift towards more mature, layered roles. As the new year approaches, fans and casual viewers alike are already circling their calendars for what could be his most defining run yet.
Chen Zheyuan’s 2026 Drama Line-Up Is Serious Business
Below is a closer look at the five Chen Zheyuan dramas currently lined up for 2026, what each project brings to the table, and why online buzz around them keeps growing.
Light the Dark (把黑夜点燃)
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This gritty iQIYI original leans hard into realism and emotional weight, marking one of Chen Zheyuan’s most grounded roles to date. Set against the backdrop of China’s petroleum industry from the late 1990s to early 2000s, the drama follows Chen Shan, a man whose life is permanently altered by a catastrophic gas pipeline explosion.
What viewers can expect here is not fast-paced heroism, but a slow-burning psychological journey. Chen Zheyuan plays a man haunted by unresolved loss, systemic injustice, and buried truths.
The thriller-action label doesn’t rely on spectacle alone; instead, tension builds through investigations, political manoeuvring, and moral grey zones. His pairing with Rulu Jiang Xin adds dramatic depth, while Guo Cheng and Ren Zhong round out a cast that leans heavily into serious performance-driven storytelling.
Netizens are calling this his “image-reset drama”, praising the restrained tone and anticipating a performance that trades charm for intensity. Many believe this could be a sleeper hit if executed well, especially among viewers who prefer realistic social narratives.
Chasing Dreams (梦花廷)
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Easily one of the most talked-about projects on this list, Chasing Dreams blends historical romance with mystery, destiny, and emotional tragedy. Chen Zheyuan stars opposite Zhang Jingyi in a story that balances love with political chaos and supernatural foresight.
As General Tang Qian Zhi, Chen is expected to deliver a calm, disciplined presence that contrasts sharply with the chaos surrounding Princess Ti Lan. The drama promises sweeping emotions, slow-burn romance, and the kind of fate-versus-choice tension that historical drama fans love.
Supporting performances from Liang Yongqi, Nata Tania Chan, Chen Cheng, Duan Yu, and Wang Yajia add multiple narrative layers, from palace politics to battlefield decisions.
Online reactions are overwhelmingly excited, with fans already hyping the chemistry potential and visual aesthetics. Many see this as a breakout romantic role that could rival his most popular works, especially with its strong source material and large episode count allowing character arcs to fully breathe.
Winner Is King (烽火流金)
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This long-awaited adaptation sits at the top of anticipation charts for historical and political drama fans. Winner Is King is not just about war, but about identity, power, loyalty, and betrayal in a world driven by both steam-powered technology and political ambition.
Chen Zheyuan takes on Chang Geng, a character layered with secrets and revelations that reshape everything he believes about himself. The story’s scale is massive, and expectations are high due to the ensemble cast including Tan Jianci, Li Hongyi, Sun Anke, and Leo Dong Yanlei. Each character carries political weight, meaning performances will rely heavily on subtle expression and long-form development rather than quick emotional payoffs.
Fans are cautiously optimistic, particularly given the genre’s complexity and the novel’s reputation. Many netizens are hoping this adaptation focuses on character psychology rather than rushing plot points, and Chen’s casting has been widely praised as “surprisingly fitting” for the role’s emotional depth.
The Golden Hairpin (簪中录)
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Arguably the most high-profile project in this line-up, The Golden Hairpin brings together mystery, romance, and supernatural elements in a lavish historical setting. Chen Zheyuan stars alongside Yang Zi, with additional key roles played by Peng Guanying, Xuan Yan, and Sui Jinbo.
As Prince Li Shu Bai, Chen’s role demands both authority and vulnerability. The story’s investigative structure allows his character to evolve alongside Huang Zi Xia, shifting from guarded distance to strategic partnership.
Viewers can expect intricate cases, palace intrigue, and an undercurrent of emotional tension that slowly builds rather than explodes.
Fan discussions online highlight two major points: excitement over the cast chemistry and curiosity about how the drama handles its mystery elements across 60 episodes. Many see this as a potential long-form hit if pacing and character focus remain consistent.
Jiang Shan Wei Pin (江山为聘 / English title TBA)
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This newly added Mango TV original immediately shifts Chen Zheyuan’s 2026 line-up into even deeper political and emotional territory. Jiang Shan Wei Pin is a historical political romance that leans heavily on power dynamics, ambition, and long-buried devotion rather than surface-level court intrigue. With 36 episodes planned, the series has enough room to fully explore strategy, sacrifice, and love shaped by the weight of an empire.
The story centres on Meng Ting Hui, portrayed by Wu Jinyan, a rare and formidable female figure in Tang Dynasty history. Once rescued from the brink of death, she reinvents herself over ten years into an exceptionally intelligent and ambitious scholar-official.
Rising through the Hanlin Academy with sharp wit and calculated choices, she becomes a key political figure whose methods are admired, feared, and widely misunderstood. Her partnership with the emperor, played by Chen Zheyuan, is built not on fantasy romance but on mutual reliance, long-term loyalty, and shared vision for the nation.
Chen Zheyuan’s role here is expected to be quietly commanding rather than flamboyant. As a ruler who observes more than he speaks, his character represents authority shaped by patience and restraint. The emotional core lies in the unspoken bond between two equally sharp minds: one ruling from the throne, the other navigating the court as both shield and blade. Supporting roles by Zhao Zhaoyi, Zhang Nan, and Liang Yongqi further enrich the court dynamics, adding layers of rivalry, alliance, and shifting power.
Early fan reactions describe this project as “dangerously addictive”, particularly among viewers who enjoy slow-burn romance intertwined with political manoeuvring.
Many netizens are intrigued by the morally complex relationship, where love exists quietly beneath duty and ambition. With its focus on intellect over spectacle, Jiang Shan Wei Pin is shaping up to be one of the most emotionally sophisticated entries in Chen Zheyuan’s upcoming slate.
Taken together, these five promising Chinese dramas signal a clear transition. Chen Zheyuan is no longer leaning on youthful charm alone. Instead, he’s choosing characters burdened by responsibility, trauma, or power, often placed in morally complex environments. Thriller, political war, and investigative narratives dominate his upcoming slate, with romance woven in as emotional grounding rather than the sole focus.
Fan reactions across platforms vary, but one thing is consistent: expectations are higher than ever. Some viewers are excited for Chasing Dreams, for its emotional impact, while others believe Light the Dark could surprise critics. Winner Is King and The Golden Hairpin remain high-risk, high-reward projects that could significantly shape his long-term standing in the industry.
Release schedules still subject to change and more announcements likely on the way, 2026 is shaping up to be a defining year. Which of these dramas are you keeping your eye on, and which role do you think will challenge Chen Zheyuan the most?