Tavia Yeung Out of “Legend of Empress Lu”; Lee Tim Sing to Promote New Actress
Earlier, it was reported that Tavia Yeung (楊怡) will be the lead in Lee Tim Sing’s (李添勝) Legend of Empress Lu <呂后傳奇>, a biographical drama about the life of Han Dynasty empress, Lu Zhi. However, Tavia dropped out of the project, leaving the lead actress slot empty once again.
Multiple Actresses Turn Down Role
Casting issues plagued Legend of Empress Lu since Producer Lee considered producing the series in late 2011. Charmaine Sheh (佘詩曼) had promoted for the series at a Sales Presentation event in November 2014. Last month, it was announced that Charmaine decided to turn down the role, as she was worried that her character’s heavy head pieces would aggravate her old neck injury. There were also rumors claiming that she was not satisfied with the drama’s cast.
Producer Lee said, “I don’t know the reason why [Charmaine pulled out], but I will eventually find a suitable lead actress.”
Afterward, Producer Lee wanted to cast Myolie Wu (胡杏兒) as Lu Zhi. Myolie, whose TVB management contract is ending soon, said no. Tavia was then called in to replace Myolie, but she had to turn it down due to scheduling conflicts. Producer Lee then contacted Niki Chow (周麗淇), who also rejected the role.
Delayed Filming
Originally scheduled to start filming in April, Legend of Empress Lu Zhi may be delayed due to casting conflicts. Producer Lee said, “This drama is about the life of Empress Lu and not your typical palace-scheming drama. It’s important to find a suitable actress to play the role. Casting leads are not easy anymore because many artistes have left the company. The ones who are still left are very busy. I actually suggested using a new actress. It is a risk, with a 50/50 chance of winning. I’ll let the company decide. Regardless, I will follow my script first and foremost.”
Broadcast of “No Reserve” Remains Unknown
In related news, the airing of the third installment of his Rosy Business <巾幗梟雄> trilogy, No Reserve <巾幗梟雄之諜血長天>, is still unknown. No Reserve, starring Wayne Lai (黎耀祥), Edwin Siu (蕭正楠), and Myolie Wu was filmed in early 2013 and is set during the Second Sino-Japanese War.
In regards to No Reserve’s unknown broadcast date, Producer Lee said, “I really don’t know what’s going on!” Asked if TVB’s hesitation in airing the series was due to the drama’s mature content, such as Wayne Lai’s sodomy storyline, he said, “I’m not stupid! I’ve been doing television for many years and I know what I should film and what I shouldn’t. There are many reasons as to why the company is handling the series in this manner. Maybe this drama is not suitable to air around this time. Thankfully it’s a period drama, so it can be aired whenever it can.”
Producer Lee also said that No Reserve is a different type of series, and it was a risk to produce it. “Since I took the risk, I also must accept the dangers it can bring. I was not expecting that taking risks could cause trouble in so many areas. Never again!”
Source: ihktv.com
This article is written by Addy for JayneStars.com.
charmaine sheh looks a bit cocky now.its a pity that tavia has dropped out for this drama now,if tim gor wants to use new rising star then i hope it will be eliza sam,i think she got that ancient look and she can look authorative/mean too. other good option is grace chan.
Asian TV queen Charmaine is a movie actress now, drama is secondary to her. She will film a tvb drama if the script is good.
Why when Ah Sheh dropped this series, she is cocky but others turn it off and it is a pity. Be fair, girl.
Why when Ah Sheh dropped this series, she is coc-ky but others turn it off and it is a pity. Be fair, gal.
Hopefully , Tavia will be filming this series. She will be soon filming 《末代御醫》in March, it usually take 2-3 months to film 20 episode. It will be great if Tavia can make it in June. But, if Kevin Cheng can replace Raymond Wong even better. I am dreaming!!!!
The Empress Lu character is central to the whole drama. If given to a new and incapable actress, the whole drama will be a flop.
She looks nice in the picture above.
Is this production cursed? Is the script tyat bad?
Myolie Would have been worst casting decision.
Which would be worse, casting Myolie or casting Kate?
Linda would be the worst
Myolie because she lacks the ancient charm so to speak or grace. Linda? May be her breakthrough role (again). Kate may be a good choice because she is naturally stony faced so basically you wouldn’t know what she is thinking about.
I wonder who is the new actress?
Totally agree with you Chloe,Linda horrible in acting every role.she only suitable as a teacher.
Tavia does look nice in this pic.
To cast tavia, Charmaine or myolie is fine, but NO Linda Chung or Kate tsui please.
Lol I would think Tavia would be the worst choice, so glad she is not taking this role. Her portrayal of acting evil in Beyond is still tickling me till now :p
And Niki Chow is another bad choice too. Guess TVB is really lacking in good contracted actresses.
““I’m not stupid! I’ve been doing television for many years and I know what I should film and what I shouldn’t. “
But, times has changed. I think TVB are more conservative now than before. Yes, there is more risque make out scene, but, the topic is more safe. TVB also need to think of her China market and the Chinese goverment’s sentiments. In the past, TVB does not have this area of concern.
Funny isn’t it. We have an increased in rape scenes, make out scenes, sex scenes and they can’t accept a somody scene which probably stopped at one man staring at another man. As if there will be a real sodomy scene.
mark my words,
I have a feeling they will cast Grace Chan if they’re going for a new actress
This role is not suitable for a newbie. Grace doesn’t look good with Raymond Wong anyways.
@idontknow – doubt it. grace’s too new to lead. maybe natalie or elaine yiu.
I doubt it unless Empress Lu changed “race”. Grace is too exotic looking. Natalie or Elaine would both push the series to B production. Neither are good choices not because of being lead but because of the role. Neither has the ambiguity nor the commanding look or presence.
Sound like Grace Chan”…. Noooooooooo
I can imagine Tavia and maybe Myolie in the role, but Tavia is still more suitable IMO.
Can’t imagine Charmaine in it much, but perhaps she’ll surprise us.
I’m glad Niki turned it down, can’t imagine her.
everyone knows that to make an ancient show like this look good u gotta spend money and improve the quality of everything especially the set…and they all know that tvb is so cheap so the show is gonna look cheap…nobody wants to do this
I wish tvb would give Natalie Tong a try…she needs a chance to be first lead.
Agree with u,Natalie Tong is much better then Linda..
It’s a pity a suitable actress can’t be found for the interesting series based on history. It’s not an easy character to emulate, this Empress, and she dominmates the whole story. I think only an experienced actress can do the job fine. A few years back I remember reading somewhere that (?) Ho Yee was cast as the Empress and Kevin her husband whom she really loved and never harmed him, wicked as she was. That series never materialized until no with different actors.
Tavia looks really beautiful in the above photo, a little fuller in the face.
Was this the character played by Maggie Cheung in The Conqueror’s Story? If it is, they should bring back Maggie Cheung.
Too old
The original choice was Maggie Cheung, way before Charmaine was selected. But Maggie left for hktv.
Tavia will be good! must be bad script and cheap costume from TVB so all the fadan reject it.
You’re right, 3daysale, Maggie Cheong Ho Yee was selected to play Empress Lu and Kevin Cheng, her husband. She was a wicked woman and got rid of anybody who got in her way. But throughout her life she loved her husband and saw to it that he was unharmed. Good story based on history but don’t know what happened to it.
Wicked is a bit too much don’t you think? She did what she had to do to preserve.
I don’t ever recall Joey Meng being in an “empress” type role, but I think it would be interesting to see her cast in this.
The role is going to mysteriously go to Grace Chan. LOL
Then the series will definitely bomb.
i think grace chan or eliza sam will have a good chance to get this role.
eliza sam deserves the role more than grace chan.
Eliza doesn’t look good in ancient series imo. I can’t see her being schemy, wicked, and vengeful either… Grace is getting a villian-ish role in that vamp series right? Maybe she’ll impressed us there and roll right into this role…
you are right i also dont see eliza can being wicked,schemy,or vengeful now. but the same can be said for charmaine sheh when she started as an actress,she has the same soft looks back then. who can imagine charmaine can be a such decent actress as she is now. just give her a chance to develope her acting and maybe she will surprise you.
Huh? Now moving on to Eliza? How? She can’t even speak proper cantonese. Unless Empress Lu is a foreign sort of princess. Neither will get this role. Because neither fits.
but lee tim sing want to use a new star,which new star among them in tvb can meets all the requirements that is suitable for this role you think? i think you have to make compromise,at least eliza has the audience luck,and she is a quick learner too,the same for grace.
Anjaylia Chan from m club,who looks like the younger version of sheren tang is also suitable i think. but all these names are lightweight actresses,tim gor will face some risks as said by himself.
are they gonna film this in that same garden in every tvb ancient day series? lol
LOL so true, they always reuse customs and sets too
Probably to china where every China series films; that studio with the wooden frame, etc
if age isn’t a problem, i think ada choi might be a decent choice. among the newbies, i only like tracy chu.
Lets give Selena Li a chance.
Please no grace chan
no selena either.
yes…nancy wu is a good choice…she can carry off the role of an empress.
I like tavia in the pic above…she looks prettier with fuller cheeks.
What about Nancy Wu?
I agree with Nancy Wu. N she matches Raymond Wong.
please, NO Sharon chan either.
Nancy Wu!
if not sheren tang has already left tvb she would be the most suitable actress to portray this character.
I would like to see ada take this role!
tvb makes all their ancient shows light hearted and goof around about nothing these days…so they can get away with poor quality and being cheap, with cheap sets and props
but if u want to make a serious ancient drama, its gotta look grand, like most china ancient drama productions…tvb hasn’t shown that they can do this
I was really really hoping for a Niki and Raymond reunion!
However NANCY AND RAYMOND PLSS!
Pls no Sharon Chan!! No Nancy Wu! No Eliza! No Grace! Some don’t fit. Some can’t act. Some doesn’t have that authority. You know what, now that so many names being thrown about, I will say Tavia is a fine choice since she is the least worst.
Ha! Nobody mentioned Joey Meng! But she’s not new. What about one of the other 3 girls in Raising The Bar? Oh no! Acting not there yet.
Nobody mentioned Kristal Tin, not a fan of hers but I guess she could do it better than Tavia or other newbies.
Kristal? No. Not in her original voice. She can be entertaining as she proves in Sound Of The Desert but Empress Lu is an intriguing woman and proves to be commanding. I feel Charmaine is perfect fit in light of Maggie missing but unfortunately… now I don’t mind Tavia. But in all seriousness, why not a mainland actress? Can get budget, etc etc.
But surely in TVB there must be young 30 ish actress who can play this role. Surely?!
a mainland actress who can speak cantonese? can you name one? ah you bring me on a idea,maybe a taiwanese actress who can speak cantonese is annie liu,yes if she could take this role i will definitely watch.
Can dub.
Annie is ok, but too pretty?
i dont understand why too pretty is a problem? annie got that ancient look and a queen aura. if she can be wicked and vengeful? i really want to see if she can or not!
Joe Chen can be Lu Zhi again and I have no matter with that.
Actually, look wise, I find Sharon Chan suitable for the role. She looks good in ancient costume and she has the bearing. She was pretty authoritative in ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’.
I’m just worried if her acting can do the role justice.
Remember 3 kingdoms RPG? Sharon was a disaster. surefire to ensure a dud, get her for that role. I’d rather they put 10 inches of foundation on Maggie Siu or give the role to… Tracy.. not Chu but Ip.
If Sharon Chan, wonder how they would show off her long legs. 🙂
Wind. Strong breeze at her body and her skirt or costume clings to her legs. Or bath time a lot. Or repeated attempts on her life will involve pushing her into water each time.
Krystal is a good actress but somehow I don’t think she fits this role. Besides, she doesn’t have that empress aura about her. Maggie Cheong should be fine but how to get her?
If we set the age factor aside, the only 2 actresses I can think of who would fit this role would be Maggie Cheung or Sheren Tang…too bad neither is likely to film this.
In terms of the “who fits and who doesn’t fit” argument — well, I think at the end of the day it will probably be a moot point, since Tim Gor is leaving it up to the company to make the decision on the actress, which is the same as saying he’s letting TVB management decide who they want to cast. We all know that management is all about favoritism and politics — doesn’t matter who ‘fits’ or ‘doesn’t fit’ the role, they will still give it to the person merely because they want to promote the person (so yes, it’s still possible that Grace or Eliza may get the role, even if they are not suited to play the part).
so true that its all about politics by tvb management,if so then i think that prisilia wong will also have a good chance beside grace and eliza,she is the favourite of sandy yue.
Grace is a good choice, her acting is fine,she can tackle the role Empress Lu
I would love to see Nancy Wu in the title role. I think she can rise up to the role and I feel it’s time.
Myolie played a semi-villain role in some period drama, iirc? I think she can be up for it too.
Old, ugly, plastic face woman is out…Great!
Lol my exact thoughts. Shoo Tavia!!
Glad annoying “teh pau” is out
Actually, if the drama is focusing on the period of her ruling, which according to wikipedia starts from her late 30s, Maggie is perfect for the role. Then the character can age in the series until Maggie’s actual age which is 45. For once, I would like to see a big budget production with a strong female lead character that is not in her 20s or 30s.
How about invite Michelle Yip? She callorated with Raymond Wong when they were in ATV.
If not either Selena Li or Nikki Chow
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Charmaine is the best capable actress to take on such a role… Can’t see anyone else who is able to do it.
Most annoying actress!
Why hasn’t anyone suggested Elena Kong? She would do really well in this drama. She is such a great actor, natural in every drama she films. She definitely has that strong powerful women look and an evil one too.
But if they’re looking for someone younger, than I think Nancy Wu or Elanne Kong would suit. I’m sure Elanne would accept the role if you asked her since she’s going through this problem with her company and needs jobs.
One more thing! If Ron really does get casted in this drama, I would love to see Ron and Elanne reunite. They were such a great couple in E.U.
Oh you should know that Ron wont be in this expected series because he has just joined a new Chinese series which will film in April.
Chinese meaning mainland or ancient TVB seriesÉ
Mainland series. According to some sources, he wont film any TVB series this year.
serious ancient drama series are big grand productions, that require money, nice locations, good sets and customs…tvb cant make this stuff right now, u know its gonna be cheap and not realistic, cant film big period dramas inside a studio
ya the actresses know this too, just stick to the light hearted not so serious stuff that tvb keeps making these days so the audience dont have that high of expectations
I don’t mind the studio set if the storyline and acting is good. ‘The Conqueror’s Story’ has cheap set, but, I thoroughly enjoyed the series.
Wind. Wind blows at her body and her skirt or costume clings to her legs. Or bath time a lot. Or repeated attempts on her life will involve pushing her into water each time.
Every tvb costume series have studio feel. Even when they filmed elsewhere.agree with Kidd. But if conqueror story had more budget imagine all those battle scenes they spoke about but never filmed.
TVB is starting to realize this. Ruco and Grace’s Captain of Destiny mostly filmed in Hengdian although the budget needed is big.
ya tvb is starting to realize this…in recent series we starting to see restaurant scenes in actual real restaurants now lol, still a lot of fake stuff but at least they putting in more effort now, filming in studio is a lot easier and cheaper but the feeling is just off when ur watching it
I wonder if the reason why she dropped out is due to pregnancy? Okay never mind…