Xiao Zhan Banned from Smiling on Set for Dark Role in 'The Legend of Xiao Zhan'

Chinese actor Xiao Zhan takes on a challenging new role in the historical drama "The Legend of Xiao Zhan," portraying a character described as "fatal and dark-hearted." The series centers on "Zhi Nu," the son of an official, whose family is wiped out overnight. Saved by a mysterious benefactor, he trains for a decade before returning to the capital under the alias "Cang Hai" to exact revenge.

Xiao Zhan's character navigates intricate court politics, rising from a commoner to a key official. The narrative emphasizes his strategic brilliance and ruthless manipulation of enemies, all while seeking justice for his family's grievances and aiming to protect the common people. This marks Xiao Zhan's first time performing in his native Mandarin without voice dubbing, showcasing a rigorous dedication to his craft.

Reportedly, Xiao Zhan's commitment to the role involved extensive script study and a willingness to explore multiple emotional states for each scene. His co-star Zhou Qi praised his deep dive into the script, noting Xiao Zhan's continuous innovation even as other actors settled into their roles. The drama also features a complex romantic storyline between Xiao Zhan's character and Princess Xiang An Tu, played by Zhang Jingyi, which evolves from a relationship of mutual benefit to genuine affection.

Interestingly, Xiao Zhan's inherently bright and sunny demeanor reportedly led director Zheng Xiaolong to issue a "no smiling" order on set. The director felt Xiao Zhan's natural effervescence clashed with the character's dark and chilling persona. Xiao Zhan himself commented that his sunny disposition did not align with Cang Hai's deep, unsettling nature.

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The director said I was too sunny when I smiled, which didn't fit Cang Hai's deep, spine-chilling dark persona.