HONG KONG – A new television series that mixes forensic investigation with comedic tension is set to premiere this week, promising audiences a fresh take on the crime procedural genre. “Dead Certain” (死有對証) will air on TVB Jade starting Wednesday, January 7, at 8:30 p.m. from Monday to Friday.
The show centers on three unlikely investigators: Cheng Tsz-yan (played by Hera Chan), a passionate but obsessive-compulsive rookie female forensic pathologist; Lam Sum (played by Wayne Lai), a sharp-tongued veteran nicknamed the “old grease”; and Ko Chun (played by Ma Kwun-tung), an impulsive police detective. Together, they navigate a series of baffling deaths—while fending off two tenacious reporters, Jim Pak-yu (played by Yuen Ho-chung) and Sin Pui-ka (played by Jinny Ng), whose scoops often complicate the investigations.
What sets “Dead Certain” apart from standard crime dramas is its approach to forensic work. Cheng and Lam focus strictly on uncovering the scientific truth behind each death—determining cause, time, and manner—without emotional involvement in the victims’ personal lives. This detached, methodical pursuit, peppered with professional jargon and meticulously staged autopsy scenes, positions the show as a “professional drama” in the vein of HBO’s “Autopsy” or BBC’s “Silent Witness.”
Today, producers unveiled eight major cases that will drive the series: the “Human Meat Three-Dish Rice” case, the “Deep V Shroud” mystery, an “Unfaithful Corpse Floating” incident, a “Missing Tycoon Inheritance” dispute, a “Yoga Studio Locked-Room Murder,” a “Rich Second-Generation Wife Killing” case, a bullying investigation, and a decade-old “Bones Cold Case.” Guest stars include Cheng Tsz-shing, Chan Siu-bong, and rising TVB actresses Wang Fei, Carman Wong, and Lee Hoi-tung.
Actress Wang Fei, a former Miss Hong Kong contestant, plays Sze Mei-ning, a beautiful yoga instructor and the girlfriend of Ma Kwun-tung’s character. In the show, Wang Fei performs extensive yoga sequences. Known for her slim build, she says she prepared intensively before filming.
“I already practiced yoga, but for this role, I took more classes and stretched so much that I could almost do the splits,” Wang Fei said in an interview. “I’ve always been naturally thin, so I didn’t need to diet for the part. But because I have little muscle, I was worried I’d look too skinny on screen. So I worked with a personal trainer and hit the gym to build muscle—mainly in my arms, thighs, and glutes—to look firmer and more defined on camera.”
Carman Wong, who plays Yuen Bik-fung in the first case, “Human Meat Three-Dish Rice,” is shown in publicity photos wearing short outfits that highlight her long legs.
The series arrives at a time when Hong Kong television is increasingly competing with streaming platforms for younger audiences. By blending scientific rigor with character-driven humor and visual appeal, “Dead Certain” aims to attract both traditional crime drama fans and viewers seeking lighter entertainment.
The 20-episode series will air nightly, with each case spanning multiple episodes to allow for deeper forensic exploration. Producers have hinted at a potential second season if viewer response is strong.
