There’s nothing like spy action to put you in the mood for autumn. Grab your cosiest blanket and settle in for a dose of intrigue because it’s time to check out Dark Night and Dawn 暗夜与黎明, which premiered September 18, 2024 on Chinese television (CCTV-8) and online (iQIYI). The post-Republican era drama takes place around 1950 in Shanghai where conspiracy and intrigue know no bounds. With the liberated city as its backdrop, a policeman and an agent from the Communist Party team up to thwart the nefarious plans of spies seeking to wreak havoc in the New China. Thus far, viewership has broken past 7000 in iQIYI’s heat index a day since release.
A Cast with Veteran Support
The counter espionage series brings together a multigenerational cast of actors that include Chen Zheyuan, Nie Yuan, Xing Fei and Annabel Yao with familiar faces from shows like The Knockout and veteran actors such as Ni Dahong, Wang Jinsong and Wang Zhiwen. 58-year-old Wang Zhiwen in particular plays the cunning spymaster who projects a quiet and scholarly demeanor when in truth he is the big baddie. And the villains in this are truly ruthless.
Espionage and Humor
Chen Zheyuan’s Lin Shaobai and Nie Yuan’s Lu Zhengyang’s unlikely tandem are brought together by circumstances. Lin Shaobai, a small fry policeman in desperate times, sneaks into the police warehouse to filch some supplies suddenly gets dragged into the murder of communist agents. Lu Zhengyang, an agent for the public security bureau has counter espionage plans of his own. As the story progresses, the pair eventually team up to crack open unusual cases masterminded by Wang Zhiwen’s Zheng Lanting.
The Opening Sets the Tone for the Series
The opening scene is intense, dropping viewers right into the moment Lin Shaobai is ordered to kill, with a gun pointed at him to ensure compliance. Then, the show rewinds to reveal the events leading up to that. Chen Zheyuan’s role as Lin Shaobai is versatile, a seemingly small fry but full of tricks. He talks his way out of any situation, bringing humor to a serious theme. Despite the comedy, Lin Shaobai is a smart, principled young man, and his journey promises to show real growth. As for Nie Yuan—what more can I say? The 46-year-old actor continues to deliver, just as I remember from his earlier works.
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