Sparrow (TV series)

Sparrow
Genre	Spy War Action thriller
Written by	Hai Fei
Directed by	Jin Chen Zhou Yuandan
Starring	Li Yifeng Zhou Dongyu Zhang Luyi Zhang Ruoyun Kan Qingzi Yin Zheng
Composer(s)	S.E.N.S
Country of origin	China
Original language(s)	Mandarin
No. of episodes	61
Production
Executive producer(s)	Zhong Conghai
Location(s)	China
Running time	45 minutes
Production company(s)	Mahayana Media H&R Century Pictures DOMYS Entertainment
Release
Original network	Hunan TV
Picture format	HDTV 1080i
Audio format	Stereophonic
Original release	September 5 (2016-09-05) – October 20, 2016 (2016-10-20)

Sparrow (Chinese: 麻雀) is a 2016 Chinese television series based on the novel of the same name by Hai Fei, starring Li Yifeng as the title character.^[1] It aired on Hunan TV from 5 September to 20 October 2016.^[2]

Synopsis

Set in the 1940s during Shanghai's revolutionary times, communist agent Chen Shen infiltrates the Japanese' base and adopts the code name "Sparrow". His mission is to obtain the "zero" intel, a secret plan that could destroy China. To do so, he becomes the assistant of Bi Zhongliang, the leader of the Special Operations Team under the Public Security Bureau.^[1]

Cast

Main

• Li Yifeng as Chen Shen

Born as a ordinary barber, Chen Shen is actually an uncover agent for the Communist party. A silent yet resilient and loyal man.

• Zhou Dongyu as Xu Bicheng

A romantic and temperamental girl who used to be Chen Shen's disciple. She is in love with Chen Shen but has to put up a pretense as Tang Shanhai's wife to complete her mission as a communist spy.

• Zhang Luyi as Bi Zhongliang

Leader of the Special Operations Team under the Public Security Bureau. He was saved by Chen Shen during a war, and became blood brothers with him. After an incident where Chen Shen failed to capture "Prime Minister", he starts to suspect Chen Sheng's real identity. He is distrustful, manipulative and cruel.

• Zhang Ruoyun as Tang Shanhai

A fellow communist spy and comrade of Chen Shen. He is in love with Bicheng, despite the fact that their marriage is only by name. After he begins his mission, he starts to turn against Chen Shen.

• Kan Qingzi as Li Xiaonan

A beautiful girl who appears reckless but is a highly capable and composed agent. She is in love with Chen Shen and would do anything to protect him. Her cover identity is a third-rate movie actress.

• Yin Zheng as Su Sanxing

A twisted and ruthless man who abandoned the righteous path to become an officer of the Public Security Bureau. Underneath his cruel exterior, he yearns for a warm love. He is in love with Li Xiaonan and sees her as the light of his life.

Supporting

• Li Xiaoran as Shen Chunxia

Nicknamed "Prime Minister", she is Chen Shen's only relative. A deeply loyal Communist agent who dies after being betrayed by a fellow comrade.

• Wang Jinsong as Li Moqun

Bi Zhongliang and Chen Shen's superior; Xu Bicheng's uncle. The ultimate mastermind who tries all sorts of methods to get rid of Bi Zhongliang.

• Liu Jiatong as Liu Meina

A beautiful woman who works as a book keeper under the Public Security Bureau. She loves Tang Shanhai and does everything to help him achieve his goals.

• Wang Wanjuan as Liu Lanzhi

Bi Zhongliang's wife. A kind and helpful woman who does not involve herself in her husband's plans.

• Shi Chao as Liu Erbao
• Yang Zheng as Bian Tou
• Chen Guanning as Wei Zhi
• Zhang Dabao as Wu Long

Soundtrack

Reception

Sparrow received critical acclaim for its tightly-weaven plot and acting performance, particularly Li Yifeng's.^[3] It became the highest rated spy drama to date with a peak rating of 2.46,^[4] and also the first spy drama to surpass 10 billion views.^[5]

Awards and nominations

References

External links