Born for the Spotlight (Chinese: 影后) is a 2024 Taiwanese drama series directed and co-written by Yen Yi-wen. Starring Hsieh Ying-xuan, Cheryl Yang, and Hsueh Shih-ling, the series revolves around a tale of stardom between two top actresses Hsueh (Hsieh) and Zhou (Yang) who were once friends but parted ways.
| Born for the Spotlight | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Promotional poster | |||
| Chinese name | |||
| Traditional Chinese | 影后 | ||
| |||
| Genre | Drama | ||
| Written by | Yen Yi-wen Kitten Huang | ||
| Directed by | Yen Yi-wen | ||
| Starring | |||
| Country of origin | Taiwan | ||
| Original language | Mandarin | ||
| No. of seasons | 1 | ||
| No. of episodes | 12 | ||
| Production | |||
| Producer | Ding Chang-yu | ||
| Production company | Third Man Entertainment | ||
| Original release | |||
| Network | Netflix | ||
| Release | 7 November 2024 | ||
The series consists of 12 episodes and had its world premiere at the 29th Busan International Film Festival, followed by a release on Netflix on 7 November 2024.
Premise
editThe series centers on the story of a starlet and the sisterhood between Chou Fan and Hsueh Ya-chih, who were once close friends but parted ways after Hsieh faded out of showbiz to become an artist manager while Chou remained onscreen.[1][2]
Cast
editMain
edit- Hsieh Ying-xuan as Hsueh Ya-chih, a retired actress-turned-artist manager[1]
- Cheryl Yang as Chou Fan, a successful and award-winning actress[1]
- Hsueh Shih-ling as Tzu-chi, an established director and Ya-chih's husband[3]
- Annie Chen as Hsin-ni, a beauty who began her career with erotic dramas[3]
- Cherry Hsieh as a veteran soap opera star[3]
- Yang Kuei-mei[4]
- Chung Hsin-ling as Ms. Chubby, Ai-ma's manager[3]
- Vicky Tseng as Yin-yin, a diva and lead actress of a zombie movie[3]
- Chloe Lin as Ai-ma, a young debut actress[3]
- RD Huang as Gecko, Yin-yin's agent[3]
- Zhan Huai-yun as a young hotel bellboy with ties to Chou Fan[3]
Recurring
edit- Chan Tzu-hsuan as Ms. Pumpkin, the daughter of a celebrity couple who was forced to debut in acting[3]
- Angel Lee as TB, Ya-chih's niece and writer of her directorial debut feature[3]
In addition, Liu Kuan-ting was cast in an undisclosed role.[5]
Production
editDevelopment
editDirector and writer Yen Yi-wen conceived the screenplay based on her own acting career after winning awards and interviewed several fellow award-winning actresses during the early stages of screenwriting.[6] The screenplay was presented at the 2022 Taipei Golden Horse Film Project Promotion, where it received the Catchplay Development Award.[7][8] The series is set to be produced by Third Man Entertainment, with Kitten Huang attached as co-writer.[8] Hsieh Ying-xuan and Cheryl Yang were cast in the lead roles prior to the 57th Golden Bell Awards later that year.[9] The series was officially announced for production in early April 2023, with Yang Kuei-mei and Cherry Hsieh joining the cast.[9] In February 2024, Netflix announced that it had acquired the series, along with a projected release date of 2024.[10][11] Hsueh Shih-ling, Annie Chen, Chung Hsin-ling, Chloe Lin, RD Huang, and Zhan Huai-yun were announced as the remaining ensemble cast in March.[6] An official trailer was released on 29 August.[12][13]
Filming
editPrincipal photography began in late April 2023,[9] with location shooting taking place at a nightclub in Zhongshan District, Taipei, on 27 April, where Yen Yi-wen, Cheryl Yang, and Liu Kuan-ting were spotted on set.[5][14] Filming also took place at Illume Taipei on 26 May, featuring Vicky Tseng and RD Huang,[5][14] and concluded in mid-July.[15]
Release
editBorn for the Spotlight consists of 12 episodes, and the first three episodes were screened at the 29th Busan International Film Festival in October 2024, marking its world premiere,[16][17] followed by a release on Netflix on 7 November.[18]
References
edit- ^ a b c 周毓洵 (29 August 2024). "Netflix《影后》謝盈萱、楊謹華同台飆戲". Youth Daily News (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 3 October 2024. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ 杜沛學 (29 August 2024). "謝盈萱揭露女明星「辛酸6不能」：跌倒也要漂亮！《影后》震撼落淚". SET News (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 3 October 2024. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Marsh, James (3 October 2024). "Netflix drama Born for the Spotlight: Hsieh Ying-xuan, Cheryl Yang in women-led series". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 3 October 2024. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ Juju, Petit (29 August 2024). "Netflix《影后》入選釜山影展！楊謹華、謝盈萱、陳庭妮橫跨三世代演藝圈生存實錄". Marie Claire (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 3 October 2024. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ a b c "為戲哈菸1／楊謹華緊身短裙火辣現身夜店 嚴藝文親指導微醺菸槍". Want Weekly (in Chinese). 24 May 2023. Archived from the original on 20 May 2024. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ a b "楊謹華、謝盈萱強強聯手！Netflix台劇《影后》6大亮點，薛仕凌、陳庭妮、楊貴媚、鍾欣凌…卡司超狂！". United Daily News (in Chinese). 3 March 2024. Archived from the original on 3 October 2024. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ 孫伊萱 (3 September 2022). "金馬創投會議公布20件劇集企劃 賈靜雯製作新片入選". China Times (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 21 September 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ a b 黃保慧 (17 November 2022). "杜汶澤金馬創投「騙」錢 鎖定「3Q哥」成貪污委員". United Daily News (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 17 November 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ a b c 葉婉如 (4 April 2023). "【獨家】【影后尬演技】金鐘互鬥延長賽 謝盈萱、楊謹華新劇翻臉". Mirror Media (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 3 October 2024. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ Frater, Patrick (1 February 2024). "Netflix Bulks Up Southeast Asia Originals, Chinese-Language Production Slate". Variety. Archived from the original on 5 February 2024. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ Merican, Sara (2 February 2024). "Netflix Unveils Southeast Asia & Chinese-Language Production Slate". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 3 October 2024. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ Chou, Inna (29 August 2024). "《影后》謝盈萱、楊謹華強強聯手揭露女明星真實內幕：「不能變醜、不能變老、老了不能整形、整形不能承認」". Vogue Taiwan (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 3 October 2024. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ 黃仲義 (29 August 2024). "《影后》90秒前導預告來了！ 謝盈萱曝女明星「不能做的日常」". Mirror Media (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 3 October 2024. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ a b "楊謹華深夜哈菸被拍！為戲火辣現身夜店 緊身短裙洩長腿嫵媚性感". SET News (in Chinese). 24 May 2023. Archived from the original on 3 October 2024. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ "《影后》謝盈萱對決楊謹華雙姝相殺！盤點2024下半年7部超人氣台劇，許光漢《正港分局》、王柏傑《今夜一起為愛鼓掌》等重量級卡司". Ciao Taiwan (in Chinese). 8 May 2024. Archived from the original on 3 October 2024. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ "《影后》入選釜山影展 楊謹華x謝盈萱x陳庭妮三姝同台競美". United Daily News (in Chinese). 28 August 2024. Archived from the original on 3 October 2024. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ Frater, Patrick (26 August 2024). "Kim Soohyun and Cho Boah Head Cast of 'Knock-Off,' Disney Korean Crime Series – Global Bulletin". Variety. Archived from the original on 2 September 2024. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
- ^ Merican, Sara (3 September 2024). "Netflix Readies Chinese-Language Content Plans, Unveils Teaser For 'Born For The Spotlight'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
