The Queen of News
The Queen of News is a 26-episode Hong Kong drama series produced by 77 Atelier in collaboration with the mainland Chinese streaming platform Youku, with Shu-kai Chung as executive producer. The series premiered on Youku on 17 November 2023 and on TVB Jade on 20 November 2023. It follows the staff of the fictional SNK News, focusing on veteran anchor Man Wai-sum as she navigates newsroom rivalries, ethical dilemmas, and the ambitions of younger reporters. Starring Charmaine Sheh, Kenneth Ma, Selena Lee, Samantha Ko, Regina Ho, and Venus Wong, the series received acclaim for its performances, production quality, and depiction of journalism. It was followed by a sequel, The Queen of News 2, in 2025.
Cast
- Charmaine Sheh as Man Wai-sum, a senior prime-time anchor at SNK News. She leads a team informally referred to as the "Man Army."
- Kenneth Ma as Leung King-yan, a prime-time anchor who leads a rival team known as the "George Army."
- Selena Lee as Cheung Ka-yin, a news anchor characterized by her commitment to ethical reporting. She generally avoids factional disputes within the newsroom.
- Samantha Ko as Hui Sze-ching, a morning news anchor and protégé of Leung King-yan.
- Regina Ho as Tsui Hiu-mei, an evening news anchor and protégé of Man Wai-sum.
- Venus Wong as Lau Yim, a junior reporter and close colleague of Cheung Ka-yin whose commitment during a dangerous assignment reminds Man Wai-sum of her early ideals.
- James Ng as Ma Ka-ming, a cameraman who frequently collaborates with Cheung Ka-yin and Lau Yim on reporting assignments.
- Matthew Ho as Poon Chi-ngow, a subordinate of Man Wai-sum.
- Matthew Ko as Shiu Chun-lok, a lawyer and Cheung Ka-yin's boyfriend.
- Eric Tang as Yu Ying-fei, the chief director of SNK News, portrayed as maintaining his position by engaging in office politics.
- Mimi Kung as Fong Lo Lai-cheung, the chairman of SNK News, depicted as playing a central role in newsroom power dynamics.
- Stephanie Che as Chiu Man-wah, a senior prime-time anchor and former superior of Man Wai-sum.
- Shawn Tam as Chan Tsz-kit, a former cameraman and ex-boyfriend of Man Wai-sum. He runs a car repair shop while maintaining a friendship with her.
- Niklas Lam as Wong Wai, a reporter and member of Leung King-yan's team.
- Mark Ma as Yip Kwok-tung, a ride-hailing driver who becomes acquainted with Tsui Hiu-mei.
- Hera Chan as Tong Chi-yiu, a reporter who attempts to obtain exclusive news through improper means in order to gain Man Wai-sum's favor.
Themes and production
The series originated as a film concept centered on a scene in which a news anchor encounters a notorious thief and must decide whether to report the incident immediately or intervene personally—a moral dilemma later depicted in episode 8. Executive producer Shu-kai Chung assigned writer Sonia Lo to develop the concept into a full series, with the early leads initially envisioned as Sheren Tang and Bowie Lam before Charmaine Sheh was ultimately cast.To ensure authenticity, Lo applied for a news-anchor position to study the role firsthand, while Sheh interned with TVB News and trained with professional anchors. The main newsroom set was constructed at Shaw Studios, where filming took place over approximately three months and concluded in June 2023.
The production made extensive use of CGI. The bus crash in episode 1 was filmed on location and digitally enhanced; control-room scenes were shot on a physical set with blank monitors later filled in; and exterior and aerial shots of the fictional SNK headquarters were created with CGI. Producers Chung and Kwan Man-shum, along with two directors, also made cameo appearances.
One subplot involving elder abuse in a nursing home was reportedly inspired by a 2015 case and has been noted as resembling the plot of the film In Broad Daylight. A finale scene showing five rival female anchors sharing a drink was an unscripted addition by Chung, intended not as a neat resolution but to express that professional rivalries—"fighting over a cup of water"—are insignificant compared with the vast "ocean" of life.
Bosco Wong made a cameo appearance in the final episode at Sheh's request, as the two had not previously worked together, and later reprised his role as a main character in the sequel. After the finale aired, TVB released a short spin-off clip showing the characters portrayed by Sheh and Kenneth Ma plotting to remove Wong's character from SNK News, serving as a lead-in to the sequel.
The fictional television network SNK News has appeared in other series within the shared universe, including televised news segments and characters portrayed as its reporters.
Plot
The story follows veteran anchor Man Wai-sum, once crowned the "Queen of News" after a career-defining exclusive, as she engages in an escalating power struggle with fellow prime-time anchor Leung King-yan inside the competitive SNK newsroom. Their rivalry—conducted through staff poaching, exclusive scoops, political alliances, and influence over management—draws younger reporters such as Cheung Ka-yin, Tsui Hiu-mei, Hui Sze-ching, and newcomer Lau Yim into an environment where ambition and ethics often collide. Early exclusives, including a deadly bus accident and major charity-fraud revelations, deepen the divide between Wai-sum's camp and King-yan's, while corruption, personal betrayals, and sensationalist reporting challenge the characters' morals and loyalty.As shifting alliances alter the newsroom dynamics, Wai-sum returns from a temporary retreat to regain influence, while Ka-yin gradually emerges as a significant "third force," her growing ambition leading her away from her former ideals. Wai-sum, now holding the title of assistant chief director, attempts to implement reforms to prevent the prime-time slot from becoming an arena of conflict but encounters resistance from both the chief director and the chairman, while King-yan aligns himself with management to undermine her. Meanwhile, pressure and rivalry lead several colleagues toward negative outcomes, resulting in scandals, mental-health issues, and strained relationships. In the final arc, long-buried errors from Wai-sum's celebrated "Thief King" case resurface, threatening her legacy. Wai-sum publicly admits her regrets and resigns, concluding her tenure. A subsequent hostage crisis at a children's charity escalates tensions, culminating in a violent confrontation during a live broadcast that leaves the newsroom profoundly transformed.
Ratings and reception
The series received significant attention in mainland China and Hong Kong. In mainland China, it generated extensive online discussion and became one of Youku's most searched and most-watched Hong Kong dramas of 2023. Charmaine Sheh's performance was widely praised, and CCTV highlighted the series' realistic workplace depiction, character exploration, and contemporary relevance. The show's newsroom scenarios have also been incorporated into a university course's teaching materials. It achieved a peak rating of 8.2 out of 10 on Douban and ranked seventh on the 2023 China Top Ten Most Influential TV Dramas list in the China Film and Television Blue Book, as selected through voting by 52 experts and public participants.In Hong Kong, the series was praised for its pacing, production values, and cast performances, although some critics and media professionals considered its depiction of newsroom operations unrealistic. A writer from Initium Media argued that the female leads' portrayals offered only superficial empowerment, emphasizing escapist entertainment over substantive feminist themes. Its focus on news work drew commentary from current and former anchors, who expressed differing views on its accuracy. The drama's power-struggle elements were compared to palace-themed series, and certain character portrayals and styling choices received mixed reactions. The finale attracted 1.62 million viewers, with the series ranking third among TVB dramas that year. It also topped Google TV Program Trending List for the year.
Release
The series premiered on Youku on 17 November 2023, and on TVB Jade and myTV Super on 20 November 2023; it later aired on TVBS in Taiwan from 2 March 2024, and on Mediacorp Channel 8 in Singapore from 27 May 2024.Awards and nominations
The Queen of News received multiple awards across 2023–2024, including several honors for Best/Outstanding Drama, as well as recognitions for its screenwriting, direction, and performances. Cast members such as Charmaine Sheh and Samantha Ko earned various acting awards at different ceremonies. The series also received audience-voted recognition, including My Favorite Television Series at the TVB Anniversary Awards and wins at the 8th Audience's Favorite TV Awards. Overall, the production was acknowledged by numerous award bodies in a range of categories.| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Results | |
| 2023 | Datawin Prosperity Bull Award | Outstanding Contribution to the Field Prosperity Award | The Queen of News | Won | |
| 2024 | Golden Dolphin Honors Selection | Drama of the Year | The Queen of News | Won | |
| 2024 | Golden Dolphin Honors Selection | Case of the Year: Entertainment Marketing Drama Series | The Queen of News | Won | |
| 2024 | 2023 Weibo Awards | Weibo Annual Drama | The Queen of News | Won | |
| 2024 | 2023 Weibo Awards | Weibo Annual Dedicated Actor | Charmaine Sheh | Won | |
| 2024 | 56th TVB Anniversary Awards | Best Television Series | The Queen of News | Won | |
| 2024 | 56th TVB Anniversary Awards | Best Actor | Kenneth Ma | Nomitated | |
| 2024 | 56th TVB Anniversary Awards | Best Actress | Charmaine Sheh | Won | |
| 2024 | 56th TVB Anniversary Awards | Best Actress | Selena Lee | Nomitated | |
| 2024 | 56th TVB Anniversary Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Eric Tang | Nomitated | |
| 2024 | 56th TVB Anniversary Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Samantha Ko | Won | |
| 2024 | 56th TVB Anniversary Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Regina Ho | Nomitated | |
| 2024 | 56th TVB Anniversary Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Venus Wong | Nomitated | |
| 2024 | 56th TVB Anniversary Awards | My Favorite Television Series | The Queen of News | Won | |
| 2024 | 56th TVB Anniversary Awards | My Favorite Actor in a Leading Role | Kenneth Ma | Nomitated | |
| 2024 | 56th TVB Anniversary Awards | My Favorite Actress in a Leading Role | Charmaine Sheh | Won | |
| 2024 | 56th TVB Anniversary Awards | My Favorite Actress in a Leading Role | Selena Lee | Nomitated | |
| 2024 | 56th TVB Anniversary Awards | My Favorite Television Series | The Queen of News | Nomitated | |
| 2024 | 56th TVB Anniversary Awards | My Favorite Actor in a Leading Role | Kenneth Ma | Won | |
| 2024 | 56th TVB Anniversary Awards | My Favorite Actress in a Leading Role | Charmaine Sheh | Won | |
| 2024 | 56th TVB Anniversary Awards | My Favorite Actress in a Leading Role | Selena Lee | Nomitated | |
| 2024 | 56th TVB Anniversary Awards | Best Television Theme song | "Crystal Clear" | Won | |
| 2024 | Beijing News Annual Television Ranking Award | Popular Actress in a Television Drama | Charmaine Sheh | Won | |
| 2024 | Golden Brown Awards 2023 | Golden Brown Awards | Charmaine Sheh | Won | |
| 2024 | 8th Audience's Favorite TV Awards | Best Actress | Charmaine Sheh | Won | |
| 2024 | 8th Audience's Favorite TV Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Samantha Ko | Won | |
| 2024 | Capital TV Program Spring Promotion Conference | Outstanding Drama of the Year | The Queen of News | Won | |
| 2024 | New York Festivals TV & Film Awards | Screenplay | The Queen of News | Won | |
| 2024 | 4th iQIYI Golden Screenwriters' Night | Best Original Screenplay for Long Series | The Queen of News | Won | |
| 2024 | ContentAsia Awards | Best Actress | Charmaine Sheh | Won | |
| 2024 | ContentAsia Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Samantha Ko | Won | |
| 2024 | ContentAsia Awards | Best Television Theme song | "Crystal Clear" | Nomitated | |
| 2024 | Weibo TV and Internet Video Summit | Popular Works of the Year | The Queen of News | Won | |
| 2024 | Weibo TV and Internet Video Summit | Outstanding Actress of the Year | Charmaine Sheh | Won | |
| 2024 | 29th Asian Television Awards | Best Actress | Charmaine Sheh | Won | |
| 2024 | 29th Asian Television Awards | Best Actress | Selena Lee | Nomitated | |
| 2024 | 29th Asian Television Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Samantha Ko | Nomitated | |
| 2024 | 40th Huading Awards | Global Best Series | The Queen of News | Won | |
| 2024 | 40th Huading Awards | Global Best Director | Shu-kai Chung, Kwan Man-shum | Won | |
| 2024 | 40th Huading Awards | Global Best Screenwriter | Kwok Kin-lok, Oscar Fung, Chan Ka-man | Won | |
| 2024 | 40th Huading Awards | Global Best Television Actress | Charmaine Sheh | Won | |
| 2024 | 15th Macau International TV Festival Golden Lotus Awards | Best Television Series | The Queen of News | Nomitated | |
| 2024 | 15th Macau International TV Festival Golden Lotus Awards | Best Director | Shu-kai Chung, Kwan Man-shum | Won | |
| 2024 | 15th Macau International TV Festival Golden Lotus Awards | Best Screenwriter | Kwok Kin-lok, Oscar Fung, Chan Ka-man | Nomitated | |
| 2024 | 15th Macau International TV Festival Golden Lotus Awards | Best Actress | Charmaine Sheh | Nomitated | |
| 2024 | 15th Macau International TV Festival Golden Lotus Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Samantha Ko | Won | |
| 2024 | 15th Macau International TV Festival Golden Lotus Awards | Best Cinematography | Kenny Lam, Alpheus Woo | Won | |
| 2025 | 2nd Golden Panda Awards | Best Actress | Charmaine Sheh | Nomitated |