HONG KONG – TVB management yesterday announced plans for a highly anticipated spin-off focusing on one of its most popular characters from the flagship drama “The Queen of News,” igniting excitement among cast and viewers alike. The announcement came during a promotional event for the upcoming sequel, The Queen of News 2, attended by leading stars including Gao Haining, Venus Wong, Hera Chan, Matthew Ho, and Hubert Wu.

Executive Producer Chung Shu-Kai confirmed that while a third installment of the main series is still under consideration, planning is underway for a standalone drama centered on Gao Haining’s compelling character, Xu Shiqing. Gao Haining, who learned the news during the event, expressed shock and delight, noting the announcement immediately dispelled her lingering fatigue from a recent trip to Macau.

“I had seen fan-written prequels—like fan fiction—about Xu Shiqing’s past online, but never imagined it would genuinely become a reality,” Gao shared, voicing her surprise. When pressed on whether she preferred the spin-off or The Queen of News 3 to film first, the actress leaned toward the prequel. She suggested that filming the character’s backstory would allow the producers more time to develop an even richer and more engaging plot for the third season of the main drama. Gao Haining further elaborated that the journey of Xu Shiqing—a constantly evolving character involved in intricate political maneuvering within the information department—is ripe for deeper exploration and extension.

Analyzing Character Development and Fan Impact

The decision to focus on Xu Shiqing underscores the significant influence of fan engagement on modern television production. The character’s journey from ambitious newcomer to powerful operator has resonated deeply with audiences globally.

Her co-stars warmly welcomed the news. Venus Wong expressed genuine happiness for Gao Haining and excitement for what she believes will be a “spectacular story.” Hera Chan, who portrays the villainous Tang Zhiyao in the series, looks forward to understanding Xu Shiqing’s complex beginnings.

Reflecting on her own antagonistic role, Chan discussed the challenging experience of playing a character who faces intense online hatred. “I’ve seen comments saying people want to slap my character,” Chan said, emphasizing her desire for viewers to look beyond the character’s actions and understand her underlying struggles and motivations. Wong, whose character Liu Yan experiences constant criticism but uses it as a catalyst for growth, highlighted the relatable nature of imperfect characters. “Not everyone is a genius,” Wong stated, “it’s the continuous process of learning and growing that makes a character interesting.”

Reflecting on Live Performance Challenges

The promotion event also served as an opportunity for the cast to address recent attention surrounding their high-profile live performance of “The Youngsters” during the TVB Anniversary Gala, an event widely described online as disorganized.

Gao Haining acknowledged the inherent difficulty of live broadcasts, especially for actors who are not professional singers. She pointed to nervousness, technical challenges—including slight auditory delays in monitoring the music—and limited rehearsal time as contributing factors.

“The most crucial element was communicating the internal emotional conflicts of our characters,” Gao explained, revealing that she was moved to tears during her own part. When asked about comments suggesting she effectively “saved” the performance, the actress demurred, humbly attributing any perceived success to the intensity of her genuine emotion rather than rehearsal.

Meanwhile, regarding the absence of veteran host Mayanne Mak from the recent Gala, Gao Haining felt the atmosphere would have been elevated had Mak been present, but complimented the newcomers who capably stepped in to host the annual event.

The planned Xu Shiqing spin-off marks an ambitious expansion of The Queen of News universe, committing to the detailed character development and quality storytelling that built the franchise’s initial success. Fans can expect further details on both the standalone series and plans for The Queen of News 3 in the coming months as production schedules solidify.