Song Dandan returns to the small screen with new series

Chinese actress Song Dandan. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Comedy actress Song Dandan again steps into a familiar zone after a two-year break from the small screen.

Her upcoming comedy series, Wo De Yuefu Hui Wushu (My Father-in-Law Practices Martial Arts), will air on Beijing Satellite TV from Dec 10.

Song shot to fame with the 1989 Spring Festival gala on CCTV and has since starred in a number of hit TV series.

Her performances have won her a series of awards, such as best supporting actress at the 6th Flying Goddess Awards, China's top honor for TV dramas, and best actress at the 5th Golden Lion Awards, the top prize for stage play performers.

The actress has not acted in any TV series in recent years as she felt bored doing similar roles in skits and sitcoms. But her mind was changed after reading the screenplay of the new TV series, which is penned by veteran writer Yu Zhong, who has also written several top-rated dramas.

"It's the best tale I've read in the past two years. I was excited after reading just the first two episodes," Song said at a recent news conference in Beijing.

The 40-episode series focuses on three families' conflicts generated by the younger generation's marriages.

Yu, the scriptwriter, said the tale aims to examine the changes in Chinese families and their values in a rapidly changing era.

The cast includes veteran actors Ni Dahong, Liang Tian, and pop musical duo "Chopstick Brothers".

Ni, known for Zhang Yimou's Curse of the Golden Flower, plays the title character.

The series marks a reunion for Song and Liang, who had earlier starred in the smash hit sitcom Love My Family, which topped TV ratings over 1993-1994.