No Return (2024 TV series)
| No Return | |
|---|---|
 poster | |
| 巾幗梟雄之懸崖 | |
| Genre | Period Drama, Romantic Comedy, Mystery |
| Created by | Hong Kong Television Broadcasts Limited, Tencent Penguin Pictures |
| Written by | Cheung Wah-Biu 張華標[1] |
| Directed by | Chan Yim Kei 陳艷琪 |
| Creative director | Sai Wan Lau 劉世運[2] |
| Starring | Nancy Wu, Wayne Lai, Edwin Siu, Hera Chan, Joey Law |
| Theme music composer | Jacky Chan Kwok-Leung 陳國樑 |
| Opening theme | Even If the Sky Falls (就算天空塌下来) by Hayes Yeung, sung by Leo Ku[3] |
| Ending theme | Red Butterfly (紅蝴蝶) by Yip Siu Chung, Tang Chi Wai, sung by Wayne Lai and Nancy Wu |
| Original language | Cantonese |
| No. of episodes | 25 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Catherina Tsang[4] |
| Producer | Dave Fong[1] |
| Production location | Hengdian World Studios[5] |
| Camera setup | Multi camera |
| Running time | 45 minutes |
| Production companies | Hong Kong Television Broadcasts Limited, Tencent Penguin Pictures |
| Original release | |
| Network | TVB Jade |
| Release | 21 October – 22 November 2024 |
| Network | Tencent Video |
| Release | 21 October – 5 November 2024[6] |
| Related | |
| Rosy Business (2009) No Regrets (2010) Lord of Shanghai (2015) No Reserve (2016) | |
| No Return | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional Chinese | 巾幗梟雄之懸崖 | ||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 巾帼枭雄之悬崖 | ||||||||||
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No Return (Chinese: 巾幗梟雄之懸崖) is a 2024 Hong Kong television period drama, and romantic comedy co-produced by TVB, and Tencent Penguin Pictures by producer Dave Fong, and screenwriter Cheung Wah-Biu. It stars Wayne Lai, Nancy Wu, Edwin Siu, Hera Chan, Celina Harto, Joey Law, Gabriel Harrison, Lee Shing Cheong, Mary Hon, To Yin-gor, and Susan Tse as the main cast.[1] The drama is the 4th installment of the Rosy Business franchise.
Synopsis
[edit]Set in the 1920s, early Republic of China era, No Return follows the lives of Tang Kwai Sim "7th Master", and Chai 17. Tang Kwai Sim is a successful businesswoman in charge of Wing Yip Bank left to her by her late father. She is feared by many as "7th Master" being one of the ten most influential tycoons in Shanghai's business world. She is also the only woman among the cadre of the top businesspersons. Under her ruthlessness, lies a vulnerable young woman facing adversity in both her professional and personal life. There she encounters Chai 17, an out-of-luck businessman, one who's able to give sound business advice, but unable to personally prosper. Chai 17 grudgingly saves her life and the bank from going under, and the two develop a professional relationship that blossoms into a friendship. A friendship to which both were willing to give up everything and their lives for each other.[7] Along the way they encounter many adversaries, including Lam Mo Choi, a manipulative villain with three separate, yet identical identities. He holds a grudge against the Tang Family, and is bent on destroying 7th Master and her allies.
Cast and Characters
[edit]Chai Family
[edit]| Cast | Role | Description |
| To Yin Gor | Chai Man Yee 柴民意 |
Doctor Owner of a Chinese medical clinic Chai 17's father Suffered a heart attack and died after healing Luk Yik Cing. |
| Wayne Lai | Chai 17 柴十七 |
Chai Man Yee's son Business wizard His abilities made him prideful, he offends many people, rarely talks politely to others Tang Kwai Sim's friend Kwai Fa Heung's friend Benefactor of the Luk Family He is named after the 17th Hexagram of the I Ching, overcomes all odds, drawn toward noble people, influential and successful[8] |
| Yuki Law | Luk Yik Cing 陸奕澄 |
Cing Cing Luk Wing's (9th Master) daughter. Suffered from a strange illness before being healed by Chai Man Yee. Became Chai 17's student. |
Tang Family
[edit]| Cast | Role | Description |
| Willie Lau | Tang Wing So 鄧永壽 |
Owner of Wing Lok Textile Mill. Founder of Wing Yip Bank Sze Wai Ngaa's husband. Father of Tang Kwai Lan, Kwai Sang, Kwai San, Kwai Sim. Father to Kwai Ping through an extra marital affair with Ms. Lam. |
| Rosanne Lui | Sze Wai Ngaa 詩懷雅 |
Tang Wing So's wife. Mother of Tang Kwai Lan, Kwai Sang, Kwai San, and Kwai Sim. Adoptive mother to Tang Kwai Ping, but merely tolerated him. Her closest bond was to her daughter Tang Kwai Sim. |
| Kiwi Yuen | Tang Kwai Lan 鄧桂蘭 |
Elder sister of Tang Kwai Sang, Kwai San, and Kwai Sim. Wai Kang's mother. Tang Kwai Ping's half-sister. |
| Carisa Yan | Tang Kwai Sang 鄧桂嫦 |
Younger sister of Tang Kwai Lan. Elder sister to Tang Kwai San, and Tang Kwai Sim. Tang Kwai Ping's half-sister. |
| Gabriel Harrison | Tang Kwai San 鄧桂新 |
2nd Master, Master San Tang Kwai Sim's elder brother. Younger brother of Tang Kwai Lan, and Kwai San. Tang Kwai Ping's half-brother. Covets Tang Kwai Sim's wealth and power. |
| Nancy Wu | Tang Kwai Sim 鄧桂嬋 |
7th Master Shanghai business tycoon Principal owner of Wing Yip Bank She greedy, duplicitious, cunning and deceitful Younger sister of Tang Kwai Lan, Kwai Sang, and Kwai San. Tang Kwai Ping's half-sister, and the only one who gave the most attention to him in the family. |
| Edwin Siu | Tang Kwai Ping 鄧桂平 |
Tang Wing So and Lam Fong's son |
| Yuri Wong | Lam Fong 林方 |
Tang Kwai Ping, and Lam Mo Choi's birth mother |
| Brian Chow | Wai Kang 偉強 |
Tang Kwai Lan's son. Kwai Sang, Kwai San, Kwai Sim's nephew |
Wing Yip Bank
[edit]| Cast | Role | Description |
| Nancy Wu | Tang Kwai Sim 鄧桂嬋 |
7th Master Chairperson of Wing Yip Bank. |
| Wayne Lai | Chai 17 柴十七 |
7th Master's special assistant |
| Lisa Ch'ng | Fong Yee 方儀 |
Manager responsible for the Investment Banking, Credit, and Sales department 7th Master's closest, and most trusted colleague |
| Carman Kwan | Lai Ga Bo 李嘉寶 |
Senior supervisor |
| Doris Chow | Tsoi Kyun 徐娟 |
Senior supervisor |
| Kristy Shaw | Chow Na Na 周娜娜 |
Senior supervisor |
| Josephine Hung | Ah Lai 阿麗 |
7th Master's secretary |
Lee Family / Osmanthus Restaurant
[edit]| Cast | Role | Description |
| Lee Shing Cheong | Kwai Ting Fung 桂廷峰 |
Owner of Osmanthus restaurant Chow Gee Ning's husband |
| Mary Hon | Chow Gee Ning 周芷寧 |
Kwai Ting Fung's wife |
| 賀楚清 (childhood) | Kwai Fa Heung 桂花香 |
Her name means Osmanthus perfume. Kwai Ting Fung and Chow Gee Ning's daughter. Chai 17's friend. Wai Ho's friend, later became his wife. She has a caring personality |
| Hera Chan | ||
| 張洛齊 (childhood) | Wai Ho 韋豪 |
Ning Lai's closest friend, and partner in crime. Kwai Fa Heung's friend, later became her husband. Fraternal brother with Master Hao. Assassin, rickshaw driver, later working in the restaurant as a waiter. |
| Joey Law | ||
| Celina Harto | Ning Lai 寧俐 |
Wai Ho's closest friend, partner in crime, and benefactor having rescued him from trouble. In love with Wai Ho. Master Hao's god-daughter. Skilled in mimicry. Took refuge in the restaurant working as a waiter. She is gentle like water, and eloquent |
| Andy Sui | Pau Gor (Leopard) 豹哥 |
Prisoner, broke out of prison with Chai 17. Waiter at Osmanthus restaurant |
| Oman Lam | Ah Gai (Chicken) 阿雞 | |
| Vincent Cheung | Sik Seot (Cricket) 蟋蟀 |
Shanghai's 10 Most Influential Business Tycoons
[edit]| Cast | Role | Description |
| Gabriel Harrison | Tang Kwai San 鄧桂新 |
2nd Master / Master San Schemed a bank run against Wing Yip Bank. Schemed to dispose Tang Kwai Sim through a vote of no confidence during a shareholder meeting |
| Albert Cheung | Ngok Cheung Ling 樂祥齡 |
3rd Master Ngok Su Tong's father Lender to Wing Yip Bank. Chai 17 convinced him to lend money to 7th Master |
| Feng Li Ping | 6th Master Allied with Master San and 8th Master to form a shareholder bloc in Wing Yip Bank | |
| Nancy Wu | Tang Kwai Sim 鄧桂嬋 |
7th Master Principal owner of Wing Yip Bank, largest stockholder. |
| 張振才 | 8th Master Allied with Master San and 6th Master to form a shareholder bloc in Wing Yip Bank | |
| Pat Poon | Luk Wing 陸永 |
9th Master / Uncle Zhai 齋叔 Owner of Forever Bank Luk Yik Cing's father |
| 徐金水 | 10th Master |
The Underworld
[edit]| Cast | Role | Description |
| Edwin Siu | Tang Kwai Ping 鄧桂平 |
Half-brother of Tang Kwai Sim |
| Lam Mo Choi 林茂財 |
Republic of China Minister of Military and Political Affairs. Holds a huge grudge against the Tang Family | |
| Long Sei Hoi 龍四海 |
General Long and Aunt May's son | |
| Akina Hong | Big Red Sister 大紅姐 |
Influential, and respected businessperson in Hangzhou. Tang Kwai Sim's sworn sister, and close friend. |
| Susan Tse | Aunt May 薇姨 |
Long Zhan Tong's wife, Long Sei Hoi's mother. She and Tang Kwai Sim are linked by fate. |
| Sam Tsang | Long Zhan Tong 龍振堂 |
Republic of China military govenor, corrupt warlord, mass murderer He has a moody personality, vicious and unpredictable |
| Steven Chan | Adjutant Long | Governor Long's right-hand man |
| Anson Ng | Governor Long's underling | |
| Ng Shui Ting | Police Commissioner | Shanghai Municipal Police. 7th Master has him in her pocket. |
| 怖仁巴雅爾 | Brother Lai 孝哥 |
An underworld boss, employed by 7th Master for discreet missions. |
| Lam King Kong | Man Cing Gor 文青哥 |
Jailor. Abused his power to bully prisoners, gambling addict |
| Hellston Ching | Cho Dai Fu (Big Tiger Cho) 曹大虎 |
An underworld boss, thug. Long Sai Hoi's scheming led to Cho Dai Fu framing Wai Ho for murder, with Chai 17 also going to prison |
| Marco Lee Yiu King | Master Hao 侯爺 |
An underworld boss, took advantage of 7th Master's kidnapping to extort ransom money from the Tang Family. |
| Sunny Dai | Wu Ying (Housefly) 烏蠅 |
Master Hao's god son, Wai Ho's fraternal brother, sexually harassed Kwai Faa Heung |
| Alan Tam | Fei Fan Gor (Flying Sail) 飛帆哥 |
Master Hao's god son |
| Eric Cheng Kai Tai | Tong Si Ling 唐司令 |
Republic of China general, nicknamed Tong Yu Maa 唐如麻 (kill countless people), mass murderer, drug lord |
| Gordon Ip | Mr Long 龍先生 |
An underworld boss, Cho gang member |
| Keith Mok | Mr. Chu 朱先生 |
An underworld boss |
| Bert Mok | Mr. Gam 金先生 |
Feng Shui master who can read minds, con artist, episode 12[9] |
| Cheng Ka Sang | Leader of the Axe Gang | Aunt May's god brother. Tried to intimidate 7th Master. episodes 18, 19 |
| 黃福增 | Slanted Head Man 歪頭漢 |
A famous assassin couple from Dongbei. After the death of her mother Sze Wai Ngaa, 7th Master hired assassins to kill Lam Mo Choi, but Chai 17 convinced her to abort the mission, episode 12 |
| 陳淑雲 | White Haired Woman 白髮女人 | |
| Sun Zheng Yu | Wu So Ban (Bearded Mr. Ban) 鬍鬚賓 |
Thug, extorted Wai Ho, and other rickshaw drivers for protection money, episode 4, 6 |
| 李婉儀 | Hoi Tong 海棠 |
Wu So Ban's girlfriend, episode 4, 6 |
Other Characters
[edit]| Cast | Role | Description |
| William Chu | Ngok Siu Tong 樂少堂 |
Ngok Cheung Ling's (3rd Master) son, episode 1, 4 |
| Samuel Wong | Chan Mau Long 陳茂龍 |
Master San's chief advisor He offered a poorly written bank reform proposal to 7th Master and was criticized. |
| 梁筠苓 | Chu Sau Lan 朱秀蘭 |
Wing Lok Textile factor worker Lam Mo Choi's wife, episode 10 |
| Ngai Wai Man | Director Ho 何廳長 |
Blackmailed by Lam Mo Choi, episode 23 |
| Cheng Shu Fung | Doctor Tong 童大夫 |
Helped 7th Master force a confession from Cho Dai Fu, episode 21 |
Production Notes
[edit]Principal photography began October 7, 2023, and ended December 17, 2023.[12] No Return aired October-November 2024 to coincide with TVB's launch anniversary date.[13] The drama marked the return of screenwriter Cheung Wah-Biu who wrote the first two successful Rosy Business dramas, Rosy Business, and No Regrets his last script before leaving TVB in 2011.[14]
Filming took place at the Dream Bund backlot at Hengdian World Studios. The Dream Bund, opened right after the COVID-19 pandemic, recreates the look and feel of Old Shanghai with streets and buildings built on a 1:1 scale.[11] Nancy Wu mentioned in an interview that the bountiful environment provided by Hengdian made one feel as though one was in Shanghai. In the past, when period dramas were filmed in Hong Kong, the shooting environment was not enough to match with the drama.[15]
Artistic director Sai Wan Lo designed and produced over 200 period costumes for the No Return, 30 costumes of which were for Nancy Wu's character, who wears both Chinese, and Western influenced clothing together. The artistic director said the hat style worn by Nancy not only added elegance to the costumes, but represented 1930s Western upper class society, and culture.[5][16]
Lead actress Nancy Wu mentioned the strenous nature of the film shoot, taking place within a span of just over two months, with dozens of scenes daily, resulted in her losing weight.[15][17] Additionally, Wu said it was mentally and emotionally draining playing the 7th Master as her character was very complex, requiring a high degree of emotional expression on top of the acting nuances required for a period drama.[18][19]
The sequence of flashback scenes with Wayne Lai and Nancy Wu in a coffin was a continuous 2 minute shot done in one take. [20]
No Return is the third co-produced drama by Tencent Penguin Pictures under their Hong Kong Drama Project. Containing elements of mystery and suspense in the narrative, light comedy in a period drama, and high production values, producers hope No Return will attract new audiences, and old fans, to a new style of Hong Kong dramas.[21][22]
The Chinese name for the series 巾幗梟雄 means Ambitious strong Woman. The Chinese name for the 4th installment 懸崖 means Precipice, or symbolically, at the edge of no return.
Viewership Ratings
[edit]| Episode | Week | Highest cross-platform ratings | references |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01－05 | October 21, 2024－October 27, 2024 | 24.8 points | [23] |
| 06－10 | October 28, 2024 - November 3, 2024 | 23.1 points | [24] |
| 11－15 | November 4, 2024 - November 10, 2024 | 22.2 points | [25] |
| 16－20 | November 11, 2024 - November 17, 2024 | 22.4 points | [26] |
| 21－25 | November 18, 2024 - November 24, 2024 | 23.5 points | [27] |
| Averaged total | 23.2 points | ||
On Douban, No Return scored 5.6 midway through the series.[28]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "巾幗梟雄之懸崖線上看劇情劇透｜全25集懶人包（持續更新）黎耀祥/胡定欣/蕭正楠/羅天宇 共譜亂世情緣". TVB. 2024-11-14. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21.
- ^ "《色，戒》美指劉世運任劇集藝術總監 為胡定欣度身訂造逾三十款霸氣舊上海女強人造型". Bastille Post 巴士的報. 2024-10-05. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21.
- ^ "巾幗梟雄之懸崖｜古巨基再獻聲負責主題曲 網民︰超好聽". am730. 2024-10-21. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21.
- ^ "巾幗梟雄之懸崖丨黎耀祥胡定欣第8度合作展默契 曾勵珍往橫店探班一招慰勞劇組". Sing Tao Daily. 2023-12-04. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21.
- ^ a b "專訪｜港劇《巾幗梟雄之懸崖》熱播 監製方駿釗：首次內地拍全程驚喜多". Wen Wei Po 香港文匯網. 2024-11-07. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21.
- ^ "《巾帼枭雄之悬崖》腾讯视频追剧日历". yule.hk. 2024-10-21. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21.
- ^ "巾幗梟雄之懸崖 : 「柴十七」黎耀祥爆經典洗腦對白 胡定欣獲《色，戒》美指度身訂造霸氣造型". Ming Pao Weekly 明報周刋. 2024-10-05. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21.
- ^ "巾幗梟雄之懸崖丨黎耀祥親自拆解「柴十七」名字迷思 原來同易經有關：角色名都唔係求其架". TVB. 2024-10-22. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21.
- ^ "巾幗梟雄之懸崖丨蕭正楠表情大暴走 親自拆解三個角色箇中玄機：宣傳海報有答案". TVB. 2024-11-05. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21.
- ^ "Closing credits". 巾幗梟雄之懸崖. Episode 1–25. 43 minutes in. TVB.
- ^ a b "【熱播劇集】台慶劇《巾幗梟雄之懸崖》巾幗經典重臨 再起亂世愛恨情仇". TVB USA. 2024-11-28. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21.
- ^ "巾帼枭雄之悬崖》完成拍摄". yule.hk. 2023-10-22. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21.
- ^ "巾幗梟雄之前世今生". Ming Pao Weekly 明報周刋. 2024-11-01. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21.
- ^ "巾幗梟雄之前世今生". Ming Pao Weekly 明報周刋. 2024-11-01. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21.
張華標由二○一○年離開無綫，到二○二四年帶着《巾幗梟雄之懸崖》回歸港劇創作
- ^ a b "专访TVB艺人胡定欣：从配角到主演，与《巾帼枭雄》的缘分用"七爷"来完成". Shanghai Observer 上观新闻 (in Simplified Chinese). 2024-11-06. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21.
- ^ "《色，戒》美指劉世運任劇集藝術總監 為胡定欣度身訂造逾三十款霸氣舊上海女強人造型". Bastille Post 巴士的報. 2024-10-05. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21.
對於定欣的帽子造型，劇集藝術總監劉世運說：「戴帽除增添優雅、高貴，更是30年代西洋紳士文化的代表，交際場中的風光堂皇冠冕。」
- ^ Hsia, Heidi (2024-03-13). "Wayne Lai and Nancy Wu admit challenges filming "No Return"". Cinema Online. Yahoo. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21.
- ^ "独家: 胡定欣拍《巾帼》压力大有阴影，封黎耀祥做"QC祥"助执靓演出". Sing Tao Global Web 星岛环球 (in Simplified Chinese). 2024-11-21. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21.
- ^ "胡定欣專訪丨胡定欣演「七爺」外剛內柔 女強人激罕曝露柔弱一面：唔係樣樣都咁強勢". TVB. 2024-11-13. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21.
- ^ "巾幗梟雄之懸崖丨黎耀祥為效果苦練「水蛇春」對白 2分鐘一輪嘴場口一take過完成勁專業". TVB. 2024-11-07. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21.
- ^ "TVB台庆大戏《巾帼枭雄之悬崖》首周开门红，京沪看片会再升追剧热度". Yangtse Evening Post 扬子晚报 (in Simplified Chinese). 2024-11-07.
- ^ "《企业强人》聚焦物流商战，你的港剧片单扩容了". Yangtse Evening Post 扬子晚报 (in Simplified Chinese). 2024-09-16.
- ^ "巾幗梟雄之懸崖丨黎耀祥孖胡定欣一齊瞓棺材 對收視感滿意：幾驚得10幾點". Sing Tao Daily. 2024-11-05. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21.
- ^ "TVB收視｜東張力壓巾幗重奪榜首 陳懿德郭珮文孖妹節目勁收". HK01. 2024-11-04. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21.
- ^ "TVB最新收视：《巾帼枭雄之悬崖》连续下滑，综艺节目表现抢眼". sohu.com. 2024-11-20. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21.
- ^ "翡翠台节目收视率（2024年11月11日至17日）". yule.hk. 2024-11-19. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21.
- ^ "TVB收視｜《萬千星輝賀台慶》揮低一眾劇集節目 成績破近5年紀錄". HK01. 2024-11-25. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21.
- ^ "没有邓萃雯的《巾帼枭雄》 少了气场与CP感". Lianhe Zaobao 联合早报 (in Simplified Chinese). 2024-11-04. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21.
至截稿，《悬崖》在豆瓣取得5.6分。
External Links
[edit]- No Return - Official Website at TVB.com (in Chinese)
- No Return - Main characters and their personalities at TVBUSA.com (in Chinese)
- No Return - Episode list and synopsis at TVB.com (in Chinese)
- No Return at IMDb