TVB introduces new line of leading actors to grace TV screens
HONG KONG: TVB’s current generation of in- house leading actors include Ruco Chan, Vincent Wong, Edwin Siu, Lai Lok-yi, Kenneth Ma, and Shaun Tam, but the lack of new faces in TVB isn’t helping the station stay competitive in the industry.
And while TVB likes to invite old friends back to star in their dramas, such as Kevin Cheng, Dicky Cheung, and Gallen Lo, it’s about time for the Hong Kong station to introduce a new generation of actors to grace TV screens.
Among the new generation of stars is 31-year- old Owen Cheung, best known for his supporting role ‘GoGo’ in last year’s ‘ Legal Mavericks’
It is confirmed that he will lead the new TVB drama ‘ Airport Security Unit’ alongside Mat Yeung, who will soon be seen alongside Vincent Wong and Philip Ng in the anniversary drama ‘Fist Fight’.
Owen auditioned and graduated from TVB’s 25th acting class, debuting in 2012. Though he was known for his resemblance to Bosco Wong, Owen had a lukewarm career of playing small roles in TVB dramas for a few years
It wasn’t until his appearance on 2014’s ‘ Walk the Walk’, ‘ Talk the Talk’ when he shot to fame for his accurate imitation of Chilam Cheung in ‘ Triumph in the Skies II’. In 2017, Owen won My Favorite Supporting Actor at the StarHub TVB Awards, establishing his position as TVB’s new rising star.
‘Airport Security Unit’ is not Owen’s first time leading a TVB drama. He is also the male lead in ‘ The Offliners’ and ‘Finding Her Voice’, though both dramas are still in post-production.
A familiar name, Mat Yeung has been in the industry since 1999, and was in the 13th graduating class with Raymond Lam and Tavia Yeung
Once considered to be a rising young star alongside his classmates, the 37-year- old’s personal life spiralled out of control, and he was put back in acting class, becoming the first TVB actor in history to take the class two times. After graduating from the 21st class of 2007, Mat found his new breakthrough role with 2011’s ‘ Be Home for Dinner’, earning his first nomination for TVB’s Most Improved Male Artiste. His popularity skyrocketed after starring in 2015’s ‘ Momentary Lapse of Reason’ and in 2017, Mat won Most Improved Male Artiste for his performance in ‘ My Dearly Sinful Mind’ ( Mind Hunter), 18 years after his debut. Mat will soon be seen leading the anniversary drama ‘Fist Fight’. His drama with Samantha Ko, which was shot in 2017, has no confirmed air date.
Another rising star to lead TVB is Benjamin Yuen, who was Mr. Hong Kong 2007. He had his first shot of popularity after his supporting appearance in 2012’s ‘ Hippocratic Crush On Call 36’, but it was really 2016’s ‘A Fist Within Four Walls’that pushed him to leading status, with the role winning him Most Popular Male Character at the TVB Anniversary Awards. He has since appeared as male lead in various TVB dramas, such as ‘ Threesome and ‘ Stealing Seconds’. Currently, Benjamin is starring in ‘Another Era’ alongside Roger Kwok, Frankie Lam, and Pakho Chau. He is also the male lead in ‘ The Defected’, a new TVB co- production with Penguin Pictures, starring alongside Kara Hui.
Singer-turned-actor Joel Chan had a controversial love life. As the former lover of Florinda Ho, Joel dropped his promising acting career to date the casino heiress. When he returned to TVB, he started from the bottom again, and steadily worked his way back to the top.
Joel experienced a steady rise to stardom ever since joining TVB in 2000. Critically praised for his acting talent, Joel portrayed a myriad of different characters throughout his acting career. Though mainly known for playing the antagonist in many TVB dramas, Joel found his place in TVB again after starring in 2015’s ‘The Executioner’ alongside Maggie Shiu and Kenny Wong. In 2017, Joel won Best Supporting Actor for his performance in ‘ The Unholy Alliance’. Joel will soon be seen leading the TVB drama ‘Golden Night Building’ .