“Overachievers” Cast Discusses Filming Experience
TVB Anniversary series, Overachievers <名門暗戰> debuted last week and has received fairly good reception. Featuring the return of the main cast members from The Confidant <大太監>, the artistes already have chemistry working together. Susanna Kwan (關菊英), Wayne Lai (黎耀祥), Maggie Shiu (邵美琪), Raymond Wong (黃浩然), Nancy Wu (胡定欣), and Edwin Siu (蕭正楠) spoke about their experiences and challenges while filming Overachievers.
Susanna Kwan Remains Strong Under Pressure
Susanna is not new to filming family feudal dramas, as she was previously part of the highly acclaimed Heart of Greed <溏心風暴> franchise. Playing the second wife of a Hong Kong tycoon for a second time, Susanna explained that her role as Li Chau Ping is not actually evil. In order to ensure that her children maintain high status within the family, Chau Ping must act strong all the time even when she is on the verge of buckling under pressure.
Susanna admitted that filming the intense family scenes required a lot of her effort. She prepared well for the scenes by studying the script carefully to avoid outtakes. “If there are too many [outtakes], my stamina can’t handle them.”
Wayne Lai and Maggie Shiu Portray Lovers
Wayne Lai discussed the differences he had with his character Cheung Yuen. “He will not employ underhand tactics in business dealings, but he is courageous and loves challenges. He has a very exaggerated personality. That’s why he suffers a large setback in the middle of the series. I’m personally not as exaggerated as Cheung Yuen. But the producer incorporated my sense of pride into the character and allowed me to bring him to life.”
Wayne and Maggie Shiu’s characters were previously lovers and separated during their younger days. Encountering each other after years of separation, Maggie and Wayne realize that the romantic feelings still remain.
Wayne disclosed that there was a natural chemistry between the two. Wayne said, “Maggie is a very persuasive actress. It’s easy to be moved when acting emotional scenes with her.” Maggie added that filming romantic scenes with Wayne were very comfortable.
Raymond Wong’s Character is Driven by Greed
Portraying a rebellious and villainous character for the first time, Raymond Wong discussed the gradual changes his character, Hugo, goes through. “He was good friends with Wayne and they were business partners. Wayne abides his morals, but I think more about making profits. Because of our differences, we become enemies. He’s not evil on the outside – in the 30 episodes, you can see him change and slowly become a manipulative person. It’s because in his childhood, an unfortunate even occurred that left a scar.
“Villainous roles have a lot of room for development. Producer Marco Law (羅永賢) and I have worked together before. We know each other well and I’ve gone to him a lot of times to ask about the script. I wanted to understand what he wanted from this character so that the role can be portrayed in its best form.” However, the intensity of his character caused Raymond to suffer from insomnia during the filming of Overachievers.
Nancy Wu’s Man is Blinded by Love
Portrayed by Nancy, Man is a strong career woman who becomes blinded by her love for Hugo. Even though she knows that Hugo is flirtatious and deceitful, Man continues to chase after him. After being hurt by Hugo, Man receives emotional support from Power, who plays Wayne’s uncle.
“My love relationship with Raymond’s character is full of deceit and hurt, while my relationship with Power is much happier and healthier,” Nancy said.
Edwin Siu Lost 30 Pounds for Role
Playing a highly skilled but very lazy boxer in Overachievers, Edwin spoke about the rigorous routine he had to take up in order to attain his muscular body for the role. “Two months before the series started, I went to the gym to get in shape and lost 30 pounds. I also found a boxing expert to train me in Thai boxing. I trained two to three times a week.”
Edwin admitted that his body was in his fittest form during filming, but he felt “weak inside” and had no energy due to his small and plain meals. Wanting his muscles to appear more defined on screen, he was afraid to even drink water. Due to the intense experience, Edwin is not interested in portraying similar physically-demanding roles in the future.
Source: TVB Weekly via kuangaitvb.com
This article is written by Su for JayneStars.com.
Didn’t even noticed anything special or different about Edwin’s body, maybe I was too distracted by the hair..LOL
Agreed! and Edwin, water is not going to make you look fat…most def will not look good if you don’t eat or stay hydrated!!!
Every male’s hair in this seties is distracting and look fake except Jason Chan’s.
I agree with you. Raymond hair look quite thick while Wayne hair just look weird?
Yes, Power Chan’s hair – what’s with that??
I stopped watching Overachievers. I found it boring.
Me too. Found it boring and slow
Wow!!! I love watching “overachievers”!!!! And is sort of like “heart of greed’!!!
Exactly why it’s boring! I think Edwin is exaggerating about losing 30 pounds. He was not fat to begin with. And what’s with the bad hair days for the guys?
Yeah!!! I think is totally amazing but as soon when is up to like episode 9-10 it will get even interesting!!! N plus I can’t wait to watch Fred cheng-as autisum Kid!!!!
Lets just say, although Raymond and Edwin are lead actor material- they realy do not look good to the eye compared to Ron, LamFung, Bosco & Ruco. Wayne was at his best when playing supporting roles too
If you compare the cast with HOG, MR, DOL, GOL, BR- who are you trying to trick. TVB is getting ****** now.
They should’ve promoted Nancy long time ago- and now shes only know as Wayne’s sidekick
I think Raymond is okay as long as he is given suitable character that could actually catch the audiences attention? Personal opinion.
i agree about wayne! mos of his supporting was great!! really mis them
So far, I really liked the funny scenes between power chan and wayne lai. Power’s character is so funny when he’s so health conscious and I liked his way of taking care of people. Susanna herself is pretty but I still can’t accept them saying that she gave birth to jason chan and grace chan who looked super pretty and handsome. She looked more like wayne’s and raymond’s mum, tbh.
yeah, i agree! power’s scenes are quite funny and add a relaxed element to a drama that will be full of fighting and arguing scenes. looking forward to his and nancy’s story!
The series is boring. But Grace Chan exceed my expectation and she’s pretty. Sisley isn’t as good as Grace.
i find it opposite to what u think hahaha grave seems like shes abit stiff. and sisley is more natural. Though i agree that it is still abit boring, waiting for something major to happen haha
I found Sisley’s acting is more natural compared to Grace. Grace is overdoing it with her cuteness in Overachievers, it’s a bit uncomfortable to watch at times. Sisley have the potential to become a leading actress in tvb in the future.
I actually find that Grace Chan and Tracy Chu look alike?
No no no
Tracy looks prettier but for newbies, both acted well.
Tracy and Grace, they acted well and most importantly, well-speaking Cantonese!
I just can’t stand watching ChristineKuo on TigerClubs2. Am so glad TVB stop promoting her.
Aw wait, power and nancy are going to be a couple in this drama?…kinda like power with his current gf atm (in this drama). find their relationship kinda adorable.
I am actually excited to watch this TVB series! I hope it won’t be disappointing, as many of the series I have watched these days haven’t been very good! I am glad that Nancy Wu seems to be in a leading role! (We can only tell if it’s a leading or supporting role when we watch the series)
Actually I hope that Raymond and Nancy would end up together. I would not mind Nancy with Power if the development is logical and good. I think Raymond would end up with Grace…? Unless it was actually a trick and Raymond would actually end up with Nancy?
I don’t know if I like it or dislike it. I don’t understand a thing about the business but drama wise, so far quite ok. Wayne is a miscast. He is just too old to be the son. Youngest brother maybe. Jason Chan is still Jason chan. But I must say I am impressed with Grace Chan. Nope she doesn’t look a bit Chinese. She should have played the adopted daughter, will be more convincing but acting wise, she is rather good. Let’s wait for the dramatic bits but I think she already impresses when she stopped being so darn perky. Nancy is already petite but Grace is just too thin for TV. That’s her setback even if she is sorta pretty. I find May Chan prettier in Come On Cousin.
Anyway the problem now is the story. Reminds me of mission impossible. Can’t understand but still watchable.
P/s Power Chan and his Power hair is really power!
This series is populated by much older actors, even Edwin is older than we think he is. Like veterans.
By the way SOOOOO many people and just 30 episodes? Gonna be rushed story I tell ya!
Right now this series is getting better. Not you ordinary family feud series. That’s good!