 |
| Leo Wu Expands Acting Range in Major 2026 C-Dramas. (Photo: Sina) |
After a surprisingly quiet 2025 with no drama releases, Leo Wu (Wu Lei) is officially stepping back into the spotlight with two heavyweight projects lined up for 2026. The young star, born on 26 December 1999, has long been known as China’s “Nation’s Little Brother”, but his upcoming roles suggest he is ready to leave that label behind and embrace a more mature, layered screen presence. With two large-scale productions already generating online buzz, 2026 could easily become one of his most defining years yet.
Leo Wu has built a career that many actors twice his age would envy. From his early commercial days in 2002 to his breakout child roles in “The Legend and the Hero” (2007), “Home with Aliens” (2009), and “Naughty Boy Xiaotiao Ma” (2010), he steadily grew from child actor to leading man. Entering Beijing Film Academy in 2018 as the top scorer among over 30,000 candidates only solidified his reputation as both talented and academically impressive. He has consistently ranked on major celebrity lists and even established his own studio at just 17.
Leo Wu 2026 Upcoming Dramas Confirmed After Year Long Hiatus
Yet despite all that, 2025 saw him absent from drama screens, which only amplified fan anticipation for what comes next.
The Eight Fairies (蓬莱八仙)
 |
The Eight Fairies is set to be a 44-episode action adventure fantasy drama scheduled for release in 2026, after years of waiting, with the exact broadcast date still to be announced. Starring Leo Wu alongside Li Qian, Victor Huang, Xu Huiqiao, Luo Wenbo and Zhao Yi, the series dives deep into mythological territory.
The story revolves around Uncle Cao Guo, the last immortal teacher of the Eight Immortals, who undergoes multiple reincarnations and countless trials before completing his transformation from human to deity.
It centres on themes of growth, destiny, justice and moral balance, with the Eight Immortals punishing evil and promoting goodness to protect the world.
For Leo Wu, this project marks a strong return to high-concept fantasy storytelling. However, compared to his earlier youthful roles, this time he steps into a narrative that demands emotional depth, endurance and spiritual gravitas.
Industry insiders say the production scale is ambitious, featuring elaborate sets and extensive action choreography. Fans are especially excited to see how he handles the layered transformation arc from mortal to immortal — a role that requires subtle internal acting rather than flashy heroism.
Online reactions have been largely positive. Some longtime supporters feel this mythological epic will help him reclaim dominance in costume drama territory. Others are cautiously optimistic, hoping the script delivers something fresh rather than repeating familiar fantasy formulas. Either way, anticipation is steadily building.
The One (剑来)
 |
If The Eight Fairies leans into myth and morality, The One (剑来) shifts towards wuxia fantasy with a darker, more philosophical tone. This 24-episode Tencent Video original series is planned for release between Q3 and Q4 of 2026 and stars Leo Wu, Vanda Margraf, Chang Chen, Chen Duling and Yang Xizi.
Adapted from the popular web novel “Jian Lai” by Feng Huo Xi Zhu Hou, the story follows Chen Ping An, an orphaned boy from the seemingly ordinary Longquan Town. Porcelain firing is the town’s pride, yet mysterious outsiders begin flooding in as dragon kilns shut down and hidden secrets surface.
As chaos unfolds, Chen Ping An is repeatedly targeted and becomes entangled in danger alongside Ning Yao. Through conflict, love and long-buried revelations about his parents’ deaths, he begins a journey of swordsmanship, justice and personal liberation.
This drama is already being labelled as one of the most anticipated Chinese series of 2026. For Leo Wu, portraying Chen Ping An means embodying a character who grows from vulnerability to moral strength. Unlike traditional wuxia leads who are born powerful, this role demands visible growth, resilience and philosophical maturity.
Netizens are divided but intrigued. Some readers of the original novel are protective of the story and curious whether the adaptation will remain faithful. Others believe Leo Wu’s evolving screen presence makes him a fitting choice for such a complex protagonist. There is also strong buzz surrounding the pairing with Vanda Margraf, with fans already speculating about their on-screen chemistry.
Both dramas signal a strategic shift. Rather than playing straightforward youthful leads, Leo Wu appears to be choosing roles centred on transformation, justice and inner conflict.
The Eight Fairies offers grand mythological storytelling and ensemble dynamics, while The One promises introspective wuxia world-building and emotional depth.
The production scale, established co-stars and source material popularity all suggest that 2026 will not simply be a comeback year — it could redefine how audiences view him. With no dramas in 2025, the build-up of anticipation has created a rare moment where expectations are high but curiosity is even higher.
Fans across Chinese social platforms have expressed mixed but passionate reactions. Some say the one-year absence made their excitement double. Others admit they felt worried about the silence in 2025 but now see it as a strategic pause. Meanwhile, drama communities are already debating which project will outperform the other in ratings and online buzz.
More updates are expected as broadcast dates are confirmed, and of course, plans remain subject to change.
So, are you ready for Leo Wu’s 2026 era? Are you more drawn to the mythological journey of The Eight Fairies or the intense wuxia world of The One?