Zanilia Zhao to star in Zhang Yimou's upcoming drama

14 Jun - It was reported that Zhang Yimou is set to helm a TV series based on an award-winning novel.

As reported on NetEase, the series, "The Protagonist", will have 40 episodes and focuses on the life of a performer of Qinqiang, a genre of folk opera originating in Shaanxi.

The news excites fans of Zanilia Zhao, when it was reported that the actress is one of the four main cast of the drama, aside from Jackson Yee, Qin Hailu and Zhang Jiayi.

Sources also claimed that Zanilia had even studied the opera for half a year in preparation for the drama.

On the other hand, it was reported that the original author of the book and winner of the 10th Mao Dun Literature Prize, Chen Yan, will also be writing the script of the series. Chen previously penned the 2020 series, "Zhuang Tai", which received high ratings when it was aired.

Zanilia was last seen on the small screen via the drama, 'Wild Bloom'
Zanilia was last seen on the small screen via the drama, 'Wild Bloom'

(Photo Source: Zanilia Zhao Weibo, Chinese Drama World)