Natalie Tong

The Confidant is a Hong Kong biographical-fiction television drama produced by TVB under executive producer Marco Law, and stars Wayne Lai as imperial eunuch Li Lianying, Michelle Yim as Empress Dowager Cixi, and Maggie Shiu as Empress Dowager Ci’an. The drama depicts how a group of eunuchs survive in the weakening Qing empire, and closely traces Li’s early life from the first day he entered the imperial palace to becoming one of the most powerful political figures in the latter years of the Qing Dynasty. The drama also follows Li’s relationship with Cixi, and how he eventually becomes her closest confidant.

Filming began on 16 December 2011 in Hong Kong, and ended on 9 April 2012 in the Hengdian World Studios. The Confident Eunuch premiered the first two episodes on 1 November 2012 at The Grand Cinema in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. It has received positive reviews from critics and viewers thus far. With a total of 33 produced episodes, The Confidant started its broadcast on Hong Kong’s Jade and HD Jade channels on 5 November 2012.