Cast revealed and shooting commences for China remake of 'The Little Nyonya'

The team behind the China-produced remake of Singapore's blockbuster TV drama, "The Little Nyonya", unveiled the cast at a ceremony to mark the launch of shooting at Pinewood Studios in Johor Baru on Thursday (11 October). Veteran actress Xiang Yun, who originally played servant-mistress Tian Lan in the 2008 series, now has a meatier role as the powerful matriarch of the Chen family in the remake. The role of Madam Chen was previously played by Li Yinzhu. Dai Xiangyu will reprise the role of the dashing Japanese photographer Yamamoto Yousuke in the new series. The rest of the main cast include actors from China and Taiwan. China’s Xiao Yan plays Huang Juxiang and her daughter Yamamoto Yueniang, originally played by Jeanette Aw. Aw shot to fame for her dual roles as mute servant Juxiang and her long-suffering daughter Yueniang. Taiwanese Kou Chia Jui will play Chen Xi, the love interest of Yueniang, originally played by Qi Yu Wu. "Nyonya" is helmed by director Guo Jingyu with the script penned by the Singaporean creator of the original 2008 series, Ang Eng Tee. With a budget of 150 million yuan (S$30 million), the remake is expected to feature more elaborate Peranakan settings and costumes than before.