Ali Lee Dropped from “Children’s Hospital”
Slated to begin filming next month, the upcoming TVB medical drama Children’s Hospital <兒童醫院> stars Kevin Cheng (鄭嘉穎), Kenneth Ma (馬國明), Linda Chung (鍾嘉欣), Catherine Chau (周家怡), and Him Law (羅仲謙). Ali Lee (李佳芯) was among the actresses in talks to star in the main cast, but talks fell through.
According to producer Ben Fong (方俊華), he already wanted to cast Ali when his team were doing casting rounds. As TVB was unable to provide Ali’s schedule to Ben in a timely fashion, he had no other choice but to drop her.
Reports say The Defected <鐵探> actress Bowie Cheung (張寶兒) has taken her place as a replacement, but the producer denied the rumor. “Bowie already has a role on the show,” he said. “She won’t be replacing [Ali].” According to sources, Bowie will be playing an anesthesiologist.
Ali’s role is currently open for casting. Ben has found it regretful that he won’t be collaborating with Ali for Chidlren’s Hospital.
Ali’s last TVB drama was Amelia’s Rhapsody <愛美麗狂想曲>, which completed filming in October 2019. While she has appeared in variety shows since then, she had no dramas lined up. She was also dropped from filming the sequels of The Legal Mavericks <踩過界> and Big White Duel <白色強人>, both which Ali had earned critical acclaim.
TVB’s hesitance to cast Ali in dramas could be stemmed from a controversial Instagram post she made last summer, in which she urged her followers to vote in the Hong Kong elections. Her post had upset many mainland Chinese netizens, forcing TVB to put her career on hold. As Children’s Hospital is co-produced by a Chinese studio, TVB is being careful with the drama’s casting choices.
Source: HK01.com
This article is written by Addy for JayneStars.com.
Kevin Cheng Officially Joins Kenneth Ma, Linda Chung for “Children’s Hospital”
What a shame Ali couldn’t be in this drama, she would have been the only one worth watching
@hbc1 I agree, and am glad Bowie’s not replacing Ali.
Ugh I’m so disappointed, was excited about this show. Ali is such a great actress way better than Linda and Bowie. I like Bowie but I don’t find anything special about her. And if it was between her and Ali, 1000% Ali.
Wonder who’s gonna replace Ali. Roxanne?
After they had cast Linda, I didn’t necessarily want Ali in the same series, but it would have been nice to see her film something new. She’s doing very well in Death by Zero. It’s such a waste not having her in something new.
I’m starting to lose count how many roles she got dropped from, all because of some mainland netizens brainwashed into thinking voting = civil war or smthg.
BTW, anyone gonna buy her new book?
@bubbles23 Can’t convince people with “glass hearts” to think rationally.
Soooo disappointed. Ali is doing amazing in Death by Zero. I haven’t been disappointed yet. Why, TVB, would you freeze your biggest best actress in your roster?? They just don’t make sense the way they go about running their talents.
Too bad. One of the very, very, very few decent actresses remaining at TVB
Seriously? She’s one of the best actress left at TVB.. and she’s done nothing wrong
TVB is making all artist sign political statements. White terror reigns. Hope Ali is making the right decisions for herself. So many actors/actresses caved for the RMB.
They drop Ali, who can actually act, and bring back Linda, who can’t? Seems like shooting themselves in the foot with that decison, but won’t be the last dumb decison TVB has made. I’ll be surprised if TVB is still around in 10 years, to be honest.
@theyenman Seems like they care more about what China thinks than who can act.
Sad that Ali won’t be in this series.
@meilin The reason they gave to why Ali is frozen is because her post upset Chinese people, which costed TVB to lose $$
Ali is literally one of the few actresses worth watching at TVB anymore and I’m still really annoyed that TVB has continued to freeze her for her very mild political comment.
Pakho said nearly the same exact thing yet he is still heavily promoted by TVB so clearly they’re sexist and the double standards are so evident here.
Wonder if Ali is still locked in a long contract because, at this point, I find it hard to believe that she wouldn’t just quit because TVB is treating her so horribly. She deserves better.
@scarlett013 Wonder Woman was well received and people loved his character, Oppa. He even won best male character/role.
@luye Ali also won best actress not too long ago. Big white duel (same year as Wonder Woman) was also well received and her character was popular.
It’s definitely some sexism going on. I think TVB is much harsher on women.
@tt23 You’re right. TVB is def sexist and harsher on woman
It’s all good, Ali can go somewhere better then with her talents…Not sure what other tv station isn’t in the pocket of the big6 though. Have to say it’s quite refreshing to see some of the Viutv series.
i am very disappointed i will not see Ali in a new show BUT looking at the cast now, i am glad she is not in it cos there is absolutely no way i can bring myself to watch Kevin and Linda
very irritating TVB kisses China a$$ … hope they shutdown for good in the near future, a lot of wasted talents being frozen throughout the years for stupidity and freedom of speech.