Northward Cast, Release Date & Synopsis – Bai Lu and Ou Hao Lead Coming-of-Age Drama

Follow along the adventures of six young friends whose friendship withstands the ebb and flow of time as life takes them from their simple life alongside the canal to the bustling metropolis of Beijing and then back home together again. Titled Northward 北上, the coming-of-age series is set to premiere primetime this March 3, 2025 on CCTV-1 and iQIYI.

Bai Lu Back with Another Drama

For Moonlight Mystique star Bai Lu, Northward marks a shift from her popular idol dramas—both historical and modern settings—to a more serious theme. Fans are eager to see her take on Xia Fenghua, a role steeped in nostalgia, resilience, and the deep bonds of friendship. She shares equal billing with leading man Ou Hao while Zhai Zilu, Gao Zhiting, Vanda Margraf and Liu Hengfu round up the young cast. Seasoned actors Hu Jun, Li Naiwen, Tong Lei and many more also join as special stars.

Northward Synopsis

Life was pretty simple alongside the canal during the 00s for this young group of friends. Brought together by the appearance of newcomer Ma Siyi (Vanda Margraf), Xia Fenghua (Bai Lu), Xie Wanghe (Ou Hao), Shao Xingchi (Zhai Zilu), Zhou Haikuo (Gao Zhiting) and Chen Rui (Liu Hengfu), the six teenagers form a deep friendship as they grew up happy and carefree. However, the construction of new super highways soon posed a huge challenge to their way of life as the canal that used to be crucial to their village’s economy, is slowly becoming obsolete.

Adulthood took many of them northwards as they go on their own journeys of self-discovery. Fenghua became a manager of a logistics office whilst Wanghe, Xingchi and Haikuo partnered up to set up a successful takeaway business. However, life presents another plot twist as they face yet another crossroads and the choice to return to their hometown.

Northward is adapted from Xu Zechen’s award winning novel of the same name. Partially set during the early noughties, the series brings a touch of nostalgia as small town everyday living soon make way for modern development.

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