LayarHijau.com — Actor Li Xian is back in the spotlight with two major projects: a bold turn as a villain in an upcoming feature film and a highly anticipated drama sequel that reunites him with co-star Yang Zi.
Villain Debut in the Film She’s Got No Name
For the first time in his 13-year acting career, Li Xian plays an antagonist in the film She’s Got No Name (original title: 酱园弄 / Jiàng Yuán Nòng), directed by Peter Chan and starring Zhang Ziyi, Lei Jiayin, and Li Xian himself.
Set in Japanese-occupied Shanghai during the 1940s, She’s Got No Name is inspired by the real-life Jiangyuan Nong murder case. The story centers on a woman named Zhan Zhoushi (played by Zhang Ziyi), who lives in a narrow alleyway and is accused of dismembering her husband. The nature of the crime suggests it would have been impossible for her to commit alone. As the case becomes a public sensation, Zhan finds herself at the mercy of society’s harsh judgment.
Li Xian plays Zhang Baofu, a selfish and greedy gambler who leads Zhan’s husband into a spiral of debt and desperation. His actions trigger a tragic chain of events that ultimately ends in murder. Zhang Baofu becomes a scapegoat in the case and is fatally struck by a car, according to a report by Upmedia.
Li Xian’s physical transformation is striking—middle-parted hair, a full beard, a grimy and unkempt look that makes him nearly unrecognizable. The trailer reveals his chilling stare and an intense confrontation scene with Zhang Ziyi inside a prison van. She’s Got No Name is set for theatrical release in China on June 21, 2025.
Returning to Drama: In the Name of Blossom
Meanwhile, Li Xian is also making waves in the drama world with In the Name of Blossom (锦绣芳华 / Jǐnxiù Fānghuá), the sequel to Flourished Peony (国色芳华 / Guó Sè Fānghuá), which stars him alongside Yang Zi.
Premiering in January 2025, Flourished Peony was a breakout success, drawing huge viewership across its 32 episodes. The sequel, In the Name of Blossom, is slated for release in the summer of 2025 with a 24-episode run.
Anticipation for the sequel is already high: over one million viewers have pre-subscribed, and Mango TV has dedicated its entire summer drama slot to this single series—a clear vote of confidence in the show’s impact.