Top 5 Most Anticipated Chinese Dramas Premiering in 2026

The year 2026 is getting nearer and with it Chinese television is getting ready to present the viewers a fantastic list of new dramas—spanning from majestic historical epics to contemporary political tales and fantastical love stories. The five hottest anticipated Chinese dramas will be the ones to even more considerable impact brought by their star power and daring delivery in the year to come.

1. City Builders

Lead Actors: Zhao Liying and Huang Xiaoming

Categories: Political Romance and Drama

City Builders, which is based on Zhu Xiaojun's novel The Peasant City of China, follows the footsteps of some daring pioneers in the 1980s who are out to change the barren land into a new city. The characters of Li Chubin, Zheng Dusheng, and Xue Mei have to struggle against the most social, economic, and technical difficulties along with very strong internal power disputes.

The drama brings together the political strife and the characters' personal lives with the resilience, ambition, and the people's lives behind this huge urban change in China being the core of the story. The cast will surely give strong performances and along with the captivating story, City Builders is set to be one of the biggest releases of 2026.

2. The Family Trade

Lead Actors: Yang Zi and Han Dongjun

Categories: Historical, Traditional Craftsmanship

The Family Trade is set in the Ming Dynasty and introduces us to Li Trinh Nuong, who is no less than a determined girl, trying her best to revive the ink-making business of the family that is going down. The girl has to deal with merciless enemy clans and increasing foreign threats at the same time, so she makes a smart alliance with Luo Wenqian (Han Dongjun), a brilliant strategist.

As a team, they will try to save Huizhou ink—one of China’s most beautiful cultural legacies—through a combination of traditional craftsmanship and artistic innovation while dealing with escalating rivalries and an unpredicted love affair.

3. Martial Soul Order

Starring: Yang Yang, Zhang Ruonan

Genre: Wuxia, Mystery, Romance

This wuxia-mystery drama follows Zhan Zhao (Yang Yang), a skilled martial artist known for his integrity, as he tackles dangerous cases within a shadowy underworld. His path intersects with Huo Linglong (Zhang Ruonan), a witty noblewoman entangled in a web of conspiracies.

As dark forces emerge and long-buried secrets threaten the world around them, the duo must team up to survive. Martial Soul Order promises intense action scenes, emotional chemistry, and rich mystery elements.

4. Mu Si Si

Starring: Dilraba Dilmurat, Chen Feiyu

Genre: Fantasy, Tragic Romance

In the haunting fantasy romance Mu Si Si, Dilraba stars as Xia Simu, a ghost queen who has wandered the realms for over 400 years. Her fate intertwines with Duan Si (Chen Feiyu), a mortal general with a tragic past. In a pivotal deal, Simu grants Duan Si a wish in exchange for his human senses.

As their connection deepens, both must confront ancient curses, emotional wounds, and the fragile divide between the living and the dead. With its atmospheric world-building and star-crossed lovers, Mu Si Si is set to be one of the year’s most visually striking and emotional dramas.

5. Jade Path

Starring: Zhang Linghe, Tian Xiwei

Genre: Historical Romance, Revenge

In Jade Path, Tian Xiwei stars as Fan Changyu, a sharp, courageous butcher’s daughter who proposes a fake marriage to a wounded marquis, Xie Cheng (Zhang Linghe), to help him evade his enemies. What begins as a practical arrangement evolves into a heartfelt romance as hidden truths, family vengeance, and political traps come to light.

With its wintery visuals, emotional tension, and engaging character arc, Jade Path blends romance and suspense into a compelling historical narrative.