HONG KONG (ANSANET) — Veteran actor Nick Cheung Ka-fai ended a two-decade absence from television with a bang, securing three nominations when the 31st Asian Television Awards (ATA) announced its shortlist on November 1. Cheung is up for Best Actor for his performance in the gripping crime series The Final Judge, which also earned nominations for Best Adapted Program and Best Editing. The winners will be crowned at a gala ceremony in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, in November 2026.
A Story of Moral Collapse
The Final Judge stars Cheung as Qin Yu, a magistrate prized for his unwavering impartiality. His life unravels when his son is involved in an accident that leaves a powerful mob boss’s child seriously injured. Torn between the strict demands of the law and a father’s protective instincts, Cheung’s character embarks on a tragic descent toward cover-ups and ethical ruin.
The series was adapted by celebrated screenwriter Ou Guanying, who transformed a familiar intellectual property into a penetrating exploration of corruption and conscience. It marks a significant return to episodic storytelling for Cheung, who rose to fame in the 1990s but has since focused almost exclusively on films, including award-winning performances in Port of Call and The Shadow Play.
Confidence from a Veteran
Cheung made no secret of his ambition when reacting to the news. The three nominations are spread across key categories:
- Best Actor for Cheung’s lead performance
- Best Adapted Program for the series
- Best Editing for its technical craft
“I felt genuine excitement when the script landed on my desk,” Cheung told reporters. “It is a well-known franchise with adaptations in several markets, so the weight of comparison was always there. I believe the three nominations are fully deserved. As for Best Actor, I am taking the trophy home. There is no reason for anyone to be surprised.”
Industry Significance and Global Reach
The triple nominations reflect a broader shift toward prestige, star-driven drama across Asian television. Cheung bringing his cinematic gravitas to a serialized format has generated significant buzz among critics and festival programmers, reinforcing a global trend of major film actors returning to the small screen.
The 31st Asian Television Awards ceremony will be held on the evening of November 14, 2026, at the Hoa Binh Theatre in Ho Chi Minh City. For the first time, the event will be simulcast across a dozen territories in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, reaching an estimated 500 million households via satellite and streaming platforms.
Whether Cheung’s bold prediction comes true or not, his return to television and the momentum behind The Final Judge already signal a new benchmark for high-concept Hong Kong drama on the international stage.
