Cover TV shows with Zhang Linghe depict contradictions. He is aristocratic yet vulnerable, calculating yet heartbreakingly sincere, but always watchable (Photo: IMDB)
TV shows with Zhang Linghe depict contradictions. He is aristocratic yet vulnerable, calculating yet heartbreakingly sincere, but always watchable (Photo: IMDB)
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These TV shows with Zhang Linghe narrate the unfolding story of a star who is still very much in the process of becoming
If Chinese period dramas are entering a new era of heart-stopping romantic intensity and high-gloss political intrigue, then Zhang Linghe is quietly becoming one of its most compelling faces. Following a recent surge in attention driven by Pursuit of Jade, the actor has evolved from a promising costume-drama visual to a more compelling screen presence, with his character becoming massively popular, according to iQIYI and Weibo metrics. In just a few years, he has become a performer who has mastered restraint, intelligence and emotional timing. And he is only 28.
Zhang’s screen persona thrives on contradiction. He appears aristocratic yet vulnerable, calculating yet heartbreakingly sincere. If Pursuit of Jade pulled you into his orbit, these are the TV shows with Zhang Linghe that map his steady ascent from idol-drama darling to prestige historical leading man.
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‘Love Between Fairy and Devil’ (2022)
Above A celestial lord struggles between divine duty and forbidden love in a mythic realm where immortal politics and cosmic destiny shape every romantic choice
A marathon of TV shows with Zhang Linghe should start with Love Between Fairy and Devil. This xianxia blockbuster may be remembered for its mythic romance and visual opulence, but Zhang’s performance as the celestial lord Changheng gave the fantasy epic its moral centre. He plays the archetypal noble immortal torn between duty and desire, embodying the quiet tragedy of loving someone fated to choose another.
His strength here lies in stillness. While other characters explode with cosmic spectacle, Zhang’s performance unfolds through micro-expressions and suppressed longing, a style that would later define his historical roles.
While it may have been a supporting role, his run as Chang Heng/Xiao Run shows the earliest version of his now-signature “restrained romantic hero”.
‘Story of Kunning Palace’ (2023)
Above In a palace intrigue saga driven by revenge and time-bending second chances, a calculating scholar-strategist manoeuvres through court conspiracies to reshape a doomed political future
If Pursuit of Jade thrives on psychological warfare, Story of Kunning Palace is its spiritual precursor. Zhang Linghe portrays Xie Wei, a scholar-strategist navigating palace conspiracies with unnerving composure. The drama’s time-loop revenge narrative allows him to explore darker emotional territory, portraying a man shaped as much by trauma as ambition.
This is where Zhang first demonstrated his ability to dominate scenes without overt theatrics. Expanding his mastery of morally complex historical antiheroes, he turned court intrigue into an exercise in emotional minimalism.
See more: No swords or spells: 10 highly recommended Chinese dramas that aren’t wuxia or xianxia
‘My Journey to You’ (2023)
Above A reluctant aristocratic heir is drawn into a shadowy martial-arts underworld where clan warfare, secret identities and emotional vulnerability collide
This moody wuxia drama reframes Zhang Linghe as a romantic figure within a shadow-drenched martial-arts world. Playing Gong Ziyu, a reluctant heir thrust into clan warfare, he brings a delicate vulnerability to a genre often defined by stoic masculinity.
The drama’s atmospheric pacing and stylised visuals give Zhang space to explore emotional fragility. In 24 episodes, he transformed what could have been a standard hero arc into a study of inherited responsibility.
‘Maiden Holmes’ (2020)
Above A sharp-witted prince teams up with a disguised female detective to solve political crimes and uncover hidden threats within a seemingly peaceful kingdom
Long before prestige historical dramas claimed him, Zhang Linghe built his early fanbase through this lighter investigative romance. As Prince Qi, he balances flirtation and heroism in a narrative that marries procedural mystery with youthful chemistry. You can’t miss this when choosing which TV shows with Zhang Linghe to watch.
While less politically dense than his later projects, the drama reveals the charisma and comedic timing that underpin his more serious performances. It is a must-watch simply because it offers a glimpse of the charming, playful persona beneath his stoic historical roles.
‘Tiger and Crane’ (2023)
Above A disciplined demon-hunting warrior navigates sect rivalries, supernatural battles and the burdens of prophecy in a fantasy world shaped by ancient power struggles
Here, Zhang Linghe transitions into large-scale fantasy action, portraying a disciplined warrior navigating a world where demon-hunting sects, ancient prophecies and uneasy alliances dictate survival. The series leans heavily into expansive world-building, from mystical training grounds to battle-scarred frontier towns, giving Zhang space to anchor spectacle with emotional clarity.
His character’s journey is not simply about combat prowess but about reconciling inherited duty with personal conviction. The narrative also explores the psychological toll of constant warfare, allowing Zhang to portray exhaustion, moral doubt and flashes of unexpected tenderness amid the chaos. Visually, the production emphasises kinetic fight choreography and sweeping landscape cinematography, reinforcing his evolution into a physically commanding yet introspective leading man.
Tiger and Crane may not be Zhang’s most famous work, but it showcases his evolution into a fully rounded blockbuster male lead, balancing mythic action with internal conflict.
‘The Princess Royal’ (2024)
Above A politically astute nobleman and a determined royal woman confront past betrayals and shifting alliances in a second-chance court romance defined by strategy as much as emotion
In this layered historical romance, Zhang portrays a politically astute nobleman navigating a relationship shaped by past mistakes and renewed alliances. The drama’s second-chance premise allows him to blend romantic yearning with calculated diplomacy, a tonal balance that mirrors the emotional sophistication audiences now associate with him.
The performance feels like a bridge between his earlier romantic archetypes and the hardened strategist persona seen in Pursuit of Jade. It highlights his growing command of mature, emotionally intricate romance.
Sasha Lim-Uy Mariposa is a lifestyle journalist who is known for her food writing. Based in Manila, she also covers entertainment and dining, as well as a broad range of topics. She was the former digital editor at Esquire Philippines and was the digital managing editor at Spot.ph, and now writes for the different Tatler Asia markets as a contributing writer for T-Labs.
