As China’s TV and film industry faces one of its most challenging periods, with nearly 60% of projects unable to proceed due to funding shortages, Chinese media have identified only four actresses who continue to inspire confidence among investors. According to Sina, Yang Mi, Zhao Liying, Yang Zi and Bai Lu are currently considered the rare female stars capable of truly “carrying forward” a drama project.
TV drama queens
Sina reports that to be labeled a “project-bearing actress” you must meet rigorous criteria. Most works led by such stars must consistently achieve good results in terms of ratings, viewers and public discussions. Furthermore, these actresses must demonstrate strong commercial appeal, attracting advertisers and convincing platforms and investors to greenlight projects. Versatility is also essential, as actresses are expected to succeed in multiple genres rather than limiting themselves to a single type of role.
Among them, Yang Zi and Bai Lu stand out for their exceptionally high work frequency. In 2025 alone, Bai Lu has released three dramas – Lin Jiang Xian, White Moon Brahma Star and Northward – spanning genres from xianxia romance to modern realism, and all of which have produced solid results.
Industry experts revealed that at one point Bai Lu was given up to 80 scripts to choose from. While she may not be universally considered a top-notch actress in terms of technique, her projects consistently generate strong discussions, viewership, and publicity returns. In 2025, Northward earned a CVB score of 3.615% and had Bai Lu recognized by DataWin as “a post-90s drama leading actress who is not afraid of challenging genres.”
Likewise, Yang Zi remains one of the most sought after actresses among producers. Over the past five years, she has been the only actress with a drama series that has averaged more than 76 million views per episode, earned by Flourishing Peony. In the space of just one year, Yang Zi completed three projects: Family Business (later renamed The Story of Zhen Niang), Tree of Life, and Magnolia Blossoms, all scheduled to air on China Central Television (CCTV). Its consistent track record has made it a reliable choice for both investors and co-leads seeking broader exposure.
Veteran stars with lasting influence
Actresses born after 1985, Yang Mi and Zhao Liying, continue to prove their enduring market value. Yang Mi rose to fame across Asia through numerous successful idol dramas and regained her momentum in 2025 with All Living Things, which performed well in both ratings and viewership. The drama peaked with a rating of 4.53%, marking the highest figure on CCTV-8 in the last three years. In particular, the project belongs to the genre of serious realism, which places higher demands on acting and character depth.
Meanwhile, Zhao Liying is considered a rare success story: an idol drama actress who became a critically acclaimed actress. She has won Best Actress three times at China’s most prestigious television awards, the Feitian Awards and the Magnolia Awards. Its dramas often rank first or second in television ratings, with an average audience exceeding 50 million views per episode, cementing its position as one of the most trusted names in the industry.
According to Sina, while many lesser-known stars now face prolonged unemployment due to delayed productions, only proven box-office and ratings drivers like these four actresses continue to be fiercely competed for by producers.
Why Zhao Lusi and Liu Yifei were excluded
The list sparked debate, with many wondering why popular stars Zhao Lusi and Liu Yifei were absent. In fact, Zhao Lusi was once highly regarded by investors, especially Tencent Video, earning her the nickname “Princess of Tencent”. However, health issues and ongoing contract disputes with her former management company have kept her away from film sets for over a year.
Since then, concerns about health stability and cooperation risks have made Zhao Lusi a high-risk choice for investors. His previous withdrawal from drama The Lover reportedly caused losses to the production team, further impacting trust.
As for Liu Yifei, she remains a powerful audience draw and has consistently ranked among the top 10 most talked about actresses for the past three years. However, his highly selective approach to screenplays and low results – often taking a year or two off between projects – have limited his appeal in an industry currently desperate for efficiency and quick returns.
Sina concludes that, aside from these top-tier actresses, most younger stars still depend heavily on scripts rather than star power to ensure success. Actresses like Yu Shuxin, Wang Churan and Chen Duling only gain recognition when paired with suitable roles and strong writing. As short-form dramas continue to rise, China’s long-form television industry is facing increasing pressure, making reliable actresses and project carriers more valuable than ever.
