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| China TV Drama Quality Ceremony 2026: Xiao Zhan and Sun Li Lead Major Winners in Shanghai. (Credits: Weibo) |
The SMG 2026 China TV Drama Quality Ceremony Awards wrapped up in Shanghai on March 9, bringing together leading actors, creators, and producers from across the mainland television industry. Held at the Jing’an Sports Center and organised by Shanghai Media Group alongside the Jing’an District People’s Government, the annual event recognised the dramas and professionals considered to have delivered the strongest production quality and cultural impact over the past year.
The ceremony placed two of the industry’s most prominent performers at the top of its acting honours. Xiao Zhan secured the Outstanding Quality Star (Male) award, while veteran actress Sun Li received the Outstanding Quality Star (Female) title. Both wins were widely seen as recognition of their consistent presence in high-profile television projects and their continued influence on audience trends.
Hosted by Cao Kefan, Chen Chen, Si Wenjia, Feng Lin, Zhang Jiaju, Yi Yi, and Yu Youkuang, the ceremony gathered hundreds of television professionals and will be broadcast on Dragon TV on March 15 at 21:00.
Major Acting Awards Highlight Industry Influence
Beyond the top honours, several actors were recognised for shaping the past year’s drama landscape.
Bai Lu and Oho Ou took home the Quality Influence Drama Star awards, acknowledging their strong viewer appeal and presence in headline dramas. Meanwhile, William Chan was awarded Breakthrough Performance Drama Star, marking a year in which his dramatic roles gained renewed attention from audiences.
Veteran performers also received recognition. Duan Yihong and Qin Hailu were honoured as Quality Honor Drama Stars, celebrating long-standing contributions to Chinese television acting.
Among the industry’s dependable performers, Wu Yue and Bai Jingting were named Quality Strength Drama Stars, reflecting their steady performances across multiple productions.
The Performance Style Drama Star category went to Yu Entai, Wen Zhengrong, and Wang Yan, while Lan Yingying and Wei Zheming secured the Quality Breakthrough Drama Star titles.
Writing, Production and Direction Recognised
The ceremony also placed significant emphasis on behind-the-scenes creative work.
Screenwriter Wang He won Quality Adapted Screenwriter for the drama This Thriving Land (生万物), while Fei Huijun claimed Quality Original Screenwriter for A Better Life (蛮好的人生).
The latter production emerged as one of the night’s biggest winners. A Better Life received the Quality Jing’an Annual Honor Drama award and was also included in the Quality Model Drama list alongside This Thriving Land and The Legend of Zang Hai (藏海传).
Directorial honours were shared by Wang Jun for A Better Life, and by Zheng Xiaolong and Cao Yiwen for The Legend of Zang Hai.
Producer awards went to Dai Ying for This Thriving Land and Cao Ping for The Legend of Zang Hai, highlighting the two productions as key industry benchmarks over the past year.
Quality Drama of the Year Winners
Several dramas were recognised collectively under the Quality Drama of the Year category. The winning titles included:
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Mobius (不眠日)
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Beneath the Undertow (暗潮缉凶)
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The Narcotic Operation (扫毒风暴)
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Breaking the Shadows (乌云之上)
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The Glory (雁回时)
Two additional productions — Love’s Ambition (许我耀眼) and Love Between Lines (轧戏) — received the All-Media Popular Quality Drama awards, reflecting strong online discussion and digital platform engagement.
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The ceremony also recognised industry craftsmanship. Veteran director Zheng Xiaolong received the Quality Drama Craftsman honour for his long-term contribution to Chinese television storytelling.
Singer Zhou Shen was awarded Quality Golden Voice of the Year, acknowledging his continued influence through drama theme songs that have become widely recognised across multiple series.
Most Anticipated Drama Revealed
One of the evening’s forward-looking moments came with the announcement of the Most Anticipated Drama award. The upcoming series I Live in Your Time (想把你和时间藏起来), starring Zhang Ruonan and Wang Anyu, was named the project audiences are most eager to see next.
The announcement quickly sparked discussion online, with viewers expressing curiosity about the pairing and storyline ahead of the drama’s eventual release.
Full List of Winners at the SMG 2026 China TV Drama Quality Ceremony
Annual Quality Appeal Drama Star: Xin Yunlai, Lu Yuxiao
Performance Style Drama Star: Yu Entai, Wen Zhengrong, Wang Yan
Quality Rising Drama Star: Xing Fei, Yao Anna, Zhou Qi
Quality Expressive Drama Star: Lin Yongjian, Yu Ailei
Quality Adapted Screenwriter: Wang He – This Thriving Land (生万物)
Quality Original Screenwriter: Fei Huijun – A Better Life (蛮好的人生)
Quality Performance Drama Star: Gao Xin, Myolie Wu
Quality Drama Craftsman: Zheng Xiaolong
IP Adaptation Drama: Light Beyond the Reed (余生有涯)
Quality Jing’an Annual Honor Drama: A Better Life (蛮好的人生)
Quality Breakthrough Drama Star: Lan Yingying, Wei Zheming
Quality Editing: Peng Dong – The Narcotic Operation (扫毒风暴)
Quality Cinematography: Zhang Lei – Love Between Lines (轧戏)
Quality Art Direction: Liu Chengyi – The Legend of Zang Hai (藏海传)
Quality Innovative Producer: Wang Jingjing – Love’s Ambition (许我耀眼); Wang Xiaoyan – Mobius (不眠日)
Quality Innovative Director: Mao De Shu – Love Between Lines (轧戏); Chen Chang – Love’s Ambition (许我耀眼)
Quality Notable Drama Star: Huang Jue, Wallace Chung
Quality Creative Drama Star: Vin Zhang, Mao Xiaotong
Craftsmanship Performance Drama Star: Chi Peng, Xu Di
Quality Drama of the Year: Mobius (不眠日), Beneath the Undertow (暗潮缉凶), The Narcotic Operation (扫毒风暴), Breaking the Shadows (乌云之上), The Glory (雁回时)
All-Media Popular Quality Drama: Love’s Ambition (许我耀眼), Love Between Lines (轧戏)
Quality Texture Performance Drama Star: Wang Lei, Jiang Xin
Quality Honor Drama Star: Duan Yihong, Qin Hailu
Most Anticipated Drama: I Live in Your Time (想把你和时间藏起来) – Zhang Ruonan, Wang Anyu
Quality Golden Voice of the Year: Zhou Shen
Quality Producer of the Year: Dai Ying – This Thriving Land (生万物); Cao Ping – The Legend of Zang Hai (藏海传)
Quality Director of the Year: Wang Jun – A Better Life (蛮好的人生); Zheng Xiaolong, Cao Yiwen – The Legend of Zang Hai (藏海传)
Quality Influence Drama Star: Bai Lu, Oho Ou
Breakthrough Performance Drama Star: William Chan
Special Quality Drama: Silent Honor (沉默的荣耀), Our Homeland (我们的河山)
Quality Strength Drama Star: Wu Yue, Bai Jingting
Outstanding Quality Star (Male): Xiao Zhan
Outstanding Quality Star (Female): Sun Li
Quality Model Drama: A Better Life (蛮好的人生), This Thriving Land (生万物), The Legend of Zang Hai (藏海传)
Online reactions to the ceremony were varied, reflecting the wide reach of Chinese television fandoms. Supporters of Xiao Zhan celebrated his top award as confirmation of his continued influence in the drama industry, while fans of Sun Li praised the recognition of her long-standing acting reputation.
Discussions also focused on the strong showing for A Better Life, which secured multiple major honours across writing, directing and overall drama categories. Meanwhile, viewers highlighted Bai Lu, Bai Jingting, and William Chan as standout winners representing the newer generation of drama leads.
Some netizens also expressed curiosity about upcoming projects following the Most Anticipated Drama announcement, with Zhang Ruonan and Wang Anyu already drawing attention for their future pairing on screen.
Which winners do you agree with the most, and were there any actors or dramas you think deserved a spot on the list?