Veteran actress Charmaine Sheh clinched her fourth Best Actress award at the TVB Anniversary Awards for her compelling portrayal of Man姐 in The Queen of News 2, establishing a new, unprecedented record in the broadcaster’s history. Ahead of the prestigious ceremony, Sheh participated in the inaugural episode of director Patrick Yip’s new program, Casting by Yip, where she candidly discussed her desire to win the coveted accolade and offered rare insights into the demanding evolution of her decades-long career.
During the interview with Yip, Sheh spoke about her challenging start in the industry, recalling her very first experience with a dramatic scene. She described the intense pressure of attempting an emotional crying scene early in her career, confessing, “I couldn’t perform it.” She recounted the intimidating staging: “Three cameras pointed right at me, so close. I thought, ‘Wow, how am I supposed to do this when you are so near? Can you move further away?’ I was feeling happy that day; how was I supposed to cry? It just didn’t work. I couldn’t produce the tears.” Her remarkable journey to becoming a four-time award winner highlights that even the most successful artists face significant hurdles upon entering the profession.
Despite her early aptitude for acting, Sheh admitted that she contemplated abandoning her career before landing the role in the acclaimed 2000 drama Return of the Cuckoo (also known as Point of No Return). She recalled being criticized for her lack of skill and her distinctive vocal tone, which nearly led her to quit. “I was criticized for my poor acting and my ‘chick voice.’ I wanted to give up,” she said.
The turning point came with the character of Chu Kwan-ho. The role required a significant personal transformation, including a drastic haircut. Sheh remembered being resistant to the change initially: “They told me in a large meeting that I needed to cut my hair. What, cut my hair? I had very long hair then. I asked if I could avoid it.” She even cried while getting the cut. However, once filming began, she understood the significance of the decision. “The short hair was essential for this girl’s character,” she realized. She believes her authentic portrayal of the optimistic, confident recent graduate resonated deeply, marking the first time a role brought her critical acclaim.
Even as an experienced leading actress, Sheh remains dedicated to continuous self-improvement. After taking a nine-year break from the Hong Kong television scene to gain experience working in Mainland China, she returned for the critically lauded series The Queen of News. Preparing for the role involved rigorous professional development. “Before filming The Queen of News, I went back to acting lessons,” she revealed. “During the pandemic, I took online classes focused on voice and speech.”
These training sessions emphasized improvisation and creation. Sheh described the unique challenges: “The teacher would constantly push you to create. They only gave you a few prompts: a setting, a person, a time, now act.” She admitted her initial attempts were clumsy, but her instructor guided her through impromptu scenes, sometimes improvising all the dialogue. “I looked quite hideous in those solo lessons,” she joked. She asserted that the skills honed during this training were directly applied and contributed significantly to her powerful performance in The Queen of News.
Concluding the interview, Sheh shared her professional appraisal of the host, calling Patrick Yip a “very clear director.” She praised his efficiency in communicating directorial needs to actors: “He can very clearly explain to the actors what is required for every scene and what his expectations are.” Sheh’s enduring success underscore the importance of relentless dedication and the willingness to learn, even for industry veterans at the pinnacle of their careers.
