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| Dylan Wang and Meng Ziyi Confirmed for The Rebirth of the Malicious Empress of Military Lineage as Filming Officially Begins. (Photo: Tencent Video) |
Dylan Wang Hedi and Meng Ziyi are officially leading the live-action adaptation of The Rebirth of the Malicious Empress of Military Lineage (unofficial English title for the drama), as filming for costume drama Jiang Men Du Hou (将门独后) kicks off on 20 February 2026. After months of speculation, casting whispers, and heated online debates, the production has finally moved from rumour to reality.
The 36-episode historical drama is adapted from Qian Shan Cha Ke’s popular novel The Rebirth of the Malicious Empress of Military Lineage (重生之将门毒后) — a revenge-heavy, female-driven story that built a massive following long before cameras started rolling.
The series is directed by Yin Tao, known for Love and Redemption, and jointly produced by Tencent Video, New Classics Television, and Yuewen Pictures, with an expected early 2027 premiere.
From the moment the adaptation was announced, the project attracted both intense buzz and sharp criticism. Some novel readers questioned whether the story should even be adapted into live action.
Others debated whether the leads truly embody Shen Miao and Xie Jingxing.
And yes, fans noticed that Dylan Wang’s solo promotional materials were released about ten minutes earlier than Meng Ziyi’s during the cast announcement — sparking speculation that the male lead might receive expanded focus.
Still, the casting is locked. The drama is officially underway.
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The Story of Shen Miao: From Fallen Empress to Reborn Strategist
At the heart of the series is Shen Miao, the daughter of a powerful military lineage. In her first life, she makes a decision that changes everything. She abandons her pride and stubbornly marries Prince Ding, believing loyalty and devotion will secure her future.
For six years, she supports her husband through political battles and warfare. She helps him rise to the throne and ultimately becomes Empress.
She even volunteers to serve as a hostage in a foreign land to protect national peace — sacrificing herself for the stability of the empire.
But when she returns five years later, the palace she fought for no longer has space for her.
Lady Mei has taken her place in the Emperor’s heart. Her daughter meets a tragic end. Her son, the Crown Prince, is stripped of his title.
Her parents and brother, who devoted their lives to the country and the throne, are gone. And in the cruelest twist of all, she herself is sentenced to death under her husband’s order.
Just when everything is lost, fate intervenes.
Shen Miao awakens at the age of fourteen — back to a time before betrayal, before ruin, before tragedy. Her family is still alive. She is once again the untarnished daughter of a military household. Armed with knowledge of the future, she swears to rewrite her destiny.
This time, she will protect her family. This time, she will not be used. And this time, she will make every move count.
It’s a story built on revenge, political manoeuvring, second chances, and a slow-burning alliance with the enigmatic Xie Jingxing, the Xie Marquis who stands by her side.
Female-Oriented Narrative or Male Spotlight Shift?
The original novel is widely regarded as a strong female-centric work. Shen Miao’s growth, strategy, and emotional evolution drive the plot. That’s why some fans are cautious.
The early promotional rollout sparked questions about whether the adaptation might rebalance the story to highlight Xie Jingxing more prominently.
Dylan Wang’s popularity undeniably brings star power, but book readers are watching closely to see whether the adaptation preserves the novel’s core perspective.
At the same time, others argue that adaptations always involve adjustments.
Meng Ziyi carries a more mature presence compared to the novel’s 14-year-old Shen Miao, but many viewers believe acting depth matters more than strict age alignment. In the first released poster, both leads appear visually convincing in costume, calming some initial concerns
Online reactions have been anything but quiet. Some long-time novel fans remain protective of the source material. Comments range from cautious optimism to outright scepticism about how faithfully the drama will follow Shen Miao’s character arc.
Supporters of Dylan Wang are excited to see him return to a high-profile historical project, predicting strong on-screen chemistry. Meanwhile, Meng Ziyi’s supporters argue that she has the gravitas needed to portray Shen Miao’s emotional transformation.
And then there are the neutral viewers — those simply intrigued by the scale of production, the revenge-driven narrative, and the creative team behind the camera.
Despite the noise, one thing is clear: people are talking. And in the world of costume dramas, attention is half the battle won.
With filming officially underway and an early 2027 release expected on Tencent Video, The Rebirth of the Malicious Empress of Military Lineage is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched historical adaptations in development.
Will it stay loyal to its female-driven roots? Will the chemistry deliver? Or will it surprise everyone and redefine expectations?