LayarHijau – The upcoming historical drama The Palace Stewardess officially began filming on March 16, 2026, at Hengdian World Studios. Along with the announcement, the production team also revealed the main cast lineup, instantly drawing widespread attention online. Ding Yuxi and Song Zuer have been confirmed as the drama’s co-leads with equal billing.
Shortly after the announcement was released, related hashtags quickly climbed to the top of the trending charts. Within just two hours, discussions surrounding the drama had already surpassed 700 million views. The comment sections across social media were flooded with excited reactions, with many viewers calling the series a potential “dark horse” among upcoming historical dramas.
The drama The Palace Stewardess (司宫令 / Si Gong Ling) is an S+ level historical production from Tencent Video that has attracted strong attention since the early stages of development. Unlike many costume romance dramas that currently dominate the market, this series focuses on the career journey of a female official in the imperial palace during the Song Dynasty, while also exploring the court culture of the period.
One of the biggest highlights of the announcement is the first collaboration between Ding Yuxi and Song Zuer. Both actors are known for their popularity and strong acting skills. Song Zuer has built a solid reputation through several historical dramas and is often praised for her natural acting style and distinctive screen presence.
In The Palace Stewardess (司宫令 / Si Gong Ling), Song Zuer plays Wu Zhenzhen, a young woman from a humble background who begins her journey as a cook. Thanks to her extraordinary culinary skills, she manages to enter the palace and gradually rises through the official ranks until she eventually becomes a high-ranking female official. The role requires significant character development, portraying her transformation from a simple girl into a mature and wise figure navigating palace politics.
Meanwhile, Ding Yuxi plays Zhao Ai, the second prince who appears warm and easygoing on the surface but actually carries a strong sense of political vision and responsibility toward the kingdom. His character is expected to play an important role in Wu Zhenzhen’s journey inside the palace.
Beyond its leading cast, another major point of interest is the drama’s dedication to recreating the aesthetic world of the Song Dynasty. The Palace Stewardess (司宫令 / Si Gong Ling) is adapted from the novel of the same name by Milan Lady, which was previously praised by People’s Daily as a work of online literature with strong historical research.
The story is set within the Song Dynasty palace administrative structure known as the “Six Bureaus and Twenty-Four Offices,” or a palace system consisting of six bureaus and twenty-four departments. This structure oversaw various internal affairs of the imperial palace, including clothing, food preparation, ceremonial rituals, and other daily services for the royal household.
To accurately recreate the atmosphere of the period, the production team conducted extensive research using historical records and classical texts that document domestic life, culinary traditions, and social etiquette of the Song Dynasty. Some of the references reportedly include ancient texts such as Wushi Zhongkui Lu and Shanjia Qinggong, both known for documenting culinary culture and daily life during that era.
Several cultural elements will also appear in the series, including the tradition of decorating hair with flowers, formal tea banquets, and various classic dishes from the Song Dynasty. Because of this strong focus on culinary culture, the drama has even been described as showcasing the rich food traditions of the Great Song era.
Photos from the filming set suggest that the production team is paying meticulous attention to costume and prop details. Traditional Song Dynasty garments such as beizi outer robes and layered skirts are designed with a simple yet elegant aesthetic. The color palette leans toward soft, muted tones, reflecting the refined and understated beauty associated with Song Dynasty culture.
Other details, including collar shapes and floral hair ornaments, are said to follow references from historical artifacts. This approach allows the drama not only to serve as entertainment but also to introduce audiences to the richness of traditional culture.
In terms of storytelling, The Palace Stewardess (司宫令 / Si Gong Ling) also takes a different approach compared to typical palace dramas. Rather than focusing on rivalries between women, the series highlights the career system of female palace officials and Wu Zhenzhen’s personal journey to find her missing mother.
During that journey, she enters the palace through the imperial kitchen bureau and uses her cooking skills as a way to survive and advance in a competitive environment. Through intelligence and perseverance, she gradually builds her reputation until she ultimately rises to the highest position among female palace officials.
The drama also emphasizes themes of personal growth and solidarity among women. This approach offers a fresh perspective within the historical drama genre, which has often been associated with intense power struggles.
The Palace Stewardess (司宫令 / Si Gong Ling) is produced by an experienced creative team. Director Wang Chengxin is known for his strong storytelling style, while the script is written by Wang Hong, who previously worked on the popular drama Rattan.
With a filming schedule of approximately 120 days, the production team aims to deliver a series with high production quality and a compelling story. If everything proceeds smoothly, the drama is expected to become one of the most highly anticipated historical series upon its eventual release and could potentially emerge as a major hit in the costume drama market.
Editor note: We updated the title from The Palace Order to The Palace Stewardess according to the title WeTV used.
