Since I'm feeling a bit nostalgic (and in anticipation of the veteran comeback series of the year -- Born Rich), I got to thinking about some of the lead actors and actresses who have had long careers (started in the 80's or 90's), that are truly talented, can handle almost any character given to him/her, but because they are not promoted by TVB, they are always under-recognized and deserve more popularity than they currently have. I'm only going back to the 90's for now because if I go back further to the 80's, I would have way too many people.

The actor and actress that come to mind for me are Sunny Chan and Nadia Chan. Both Sunny and Nadia are truly talented in terms of acting -- almost anyone who has seen their series would agree. Of course, Sunny came out of the HK Acting Academy, so his acting is good without a doubt (plus his acting and mannerisms are very similar to Chow Yun Fat, which is another reason why I like him)...in terms of Nadia, she showed her talent from the get-go by doing an excellent job in her first series (Songbird back in the late 80's) and didn't rely on any pageants to come up the ranks (as with most actresses in TVB nowadays).

However, even looking back at all the great series that they did (from the late 80's/early 90's to now), they were never heavily promoted by TVB (in fact, I don't think they got promoted much at all). They were the leads in almost every series they were in, yet they were always overshadowed in terms of popularity and awards....

For example --

Nadia: back in the days before there were TVB awards (and such a shame since the series were so much better back then), there was the series Cold Blood Warm Heart, which boasted an all-star cast and did pretty well in terms of ratings. I liked Nadia's performance in this series (not to mention the awesome pairing with Julian Cheung) but I think that in terms of popularity, she was overshadowed by Jessica Hsuan, who I'm sure was being promoted because of Files of Justice, which was such a hit at the time. Also, I've noticed that most series that Nadia is in, we don't hear much about her.

Sunny: I really started noticing him in Once Upon a Time in Shanghai because he reminded me so much of Chow Yun Fat. Then I watched DIF IV and in my opinion, his performance was better than Louis Koo's (though of course Louis won the Best Actor award for that series because it was the height of his career and TVB was obviously promoting him). I've watched almost every series that Sunny has been in since then (and even some of the older ones from the 90's) and really admire how versatile he is as an actor -- whether the characters he plays have alot of depth or not, he is able to make the roles convincing and memorable (at least for me).

I actually have a couple more, but figured I would let everyone else state their opinions first.

Are there any other actors/actresses you can think of who fall in this category -- have long careers (started in the late 80's/early 90's), truly talented in terms of acting but under-recognized?

OK first of all thanx for mentioning my idol Nnadia!! I personally don't think she was overshadowed by Jessica in CBWH as Nnadia was the first female lead in it and at least she didn't die unlike Jessica!! Perhaps Nnadia by then wasn't TVB contracted, so which is why you think that TVB is promoting Jessica more? In the 90's I think Nnadia in terms of popularity, is more popular than Jessica, but as we hear less and less of Nnadia(concentrating her career in China) and more and more of Jessica so in terms of popularity now Jessica has the upperhand being in TVB and seeing her in TVB series more!

I think theres loads of artistes that are talented but aren't getting promoted, usually cos they aren't TVB contracted such as

Sammuel Chan
Leila Tong
Anne Heung

I agree with Kim4ever. I think they need to give Leila and Sammul more chances. Leila has always been getting second-line actresses. Never seen her as a first line actress in a series. I would like to see her. Leila is a very talented actress, but it doesn't seem like she gets promoted much. As for Sammul, I think he has improved a lot of the first few couple of series I have seen of him. I htink Sammul should get promoted more too.

I think Sammul gets better treatment than Leila. Leila has been acting with TVB since she was a child and nowadays she still gets small roles. Sammul is the lead for TA installments(with Ron) and he also is main cast for the series with Chin Ka Lok and the upcoming series with Ha Yu where he's the second male after Ha Yu and gets 2 girls. While Leila series got warehoused last year and she's only supporting Kate for MIC. Her APCOM where Leila's second fiddle after Jessica hasn't seen the light yet too.

But unfortunately, both arent TVB contracted artists..

Sammul and Leila have big chances in Mainland market, their series have been hit over there. If you only watch TVB, that s why you dont know. The reason, both of them keep filming for TVB, is that they wanna keep in touch with HK audiences.

Steven Ma comes to my mind, he is under promoted imo, but he s supper hot in China, maybe hotter than Moses or Bowie or Raymond

^I don't think Steven Ma is under promoted at least he gets to be first male lead in most of his series! Oh, wow, didn't know hes huge in China! He is one of my fav TVB actors, so I'm glad hes getting recognition over there xD

And yes I only watch TVB series so I don't know that Sammuel and Leila is popular in China.

^ Yup Steven Ma's treatment is quite good actually. He gets to be first lead in all his series and got many series to film. He got 4 upcoming series to air in 2010; the most among the actors.

Sunny Chan is more pitiful than Steven. Steven still gets good and varied characters but Sunny nowadays he gets mostly silly productions and characters.

but this thread is " Lead Actors / Actresses that are talented but are under-recognized and not promoted much by TVB?" so that s why i think Steven Ma was/is before his renewal contract news this summer.

Btw, another one comes to my mind now, Benny Chan. he was good in The Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils 1996 and Journey to the West 2, but see how TVB treats him after his scandal with Charmaine, give him all crappy roles like in Legend of the Demigods or A Change of Destiny. But good for him, he s very popular in China

I agree Steven is definitely under promoted, but to even suggest he is hotter than Raymond Lam in China, now that's gutsy. It's prudent to avoid the wrath of Honey bees at all cost. Lol! But honestly, he's not but thanks for thinking that.



Do you know why he got 4 upcoming series next year, because although having being completed like eons ago, none of them got aired this year. That's why. Who knows some of them maybe released overseas as a pretext to avoid Steven overload.



Being billed as first male lead doesn’t mean he is being promoted. What’s in a status when it is not supported by reality. Recall, besides Safe Guards and Steps, his leading man billing between 2006 to present day is in name only, his roles and limited screen time totally belied his glorified 1st male lead billing. His so-called male lead status is at best a contentious, dual lead; at worse, a sham to pull in viewers to the series. How many times have viewers echoed this question: “Was Steven Ma the 1st male lead in the series?” Were they questioning Steven’s acting skill, heck no, they were questioning his screen time and character development as the 1st male lead.

Exactly what kind of promotions did Steven get from TVB as a managed artiste? In fact, he had fared much better as a contract artiste prior to being a tvb managed artiste, an irony that, don’t you think? But of course, you may say that’s TVB’s typical treatment to a returned artiste. True but that doesn’t mean Steven is not under promoted because he was/is, just that there are talented actors worse off than him, like Sunny.

Why I think Steven is under promoted.
Steven series are not only under promoted but are slotted in unfavorable viewing time slot. Pray tell, what other 1st line leading men (those occupying the 1st row of seats during tvb anniversary ceremony, i.e.) have had his series not only aired during the dreaded CNY graveyard time slot but to have yet another one scheduled for the following year? Its choice of airing Sits, advertised as a ‘bloody’ series, was especially baffling considering CNY period being both a festive and joyous season. So forget about promoting him, more like someone was trying to do him in with dismal ratings, thus able to use that as an excuse that Steven was not welcomed at viewers' homes. On 2nd thought, forget about ratings - just cast them (ratings) out along with his series (Sits) to overseas market to rid an off chance that it might actually rake in reasonable ratings like TGC2 did.

AJCL was totally under promoted despite it being one of the best acclaim series in its year. It was aired in the 8:30 pm time slot when its mature content should have dictated a later time slot. Even the baidu tvb netizens conceded it was a good series, and that’s saying a lot considering how much baidu netizens hated Linda. That being said, it is obvious that Linda was the promoted artiste here supported by two talented actors, Steven and Kent.

Forget about promoting Steven, he is shamelessly used by TVB to mentor and develop its young fadan. In Baidu tvb, Steven is bemoaned as a mentor to his budding fadan female co-stars. (Tavia’s excepted since imo, her acting skill is way ahead of Steven’s other young fadan co-stars.) Steven is an actor, not a mentor. It is not his duty to mentor or develop his young fadan co-stars. When was the last time Steven acted opposite the older fadan?

During his 4 years as a managed artiste Steven did not get much opportunities to engage in many money making functions such endorsements and performances, or for that matter, in many publicity functions. In fact, he had done much better for himself as a free lancer in previous years.

And what about that ‘incident’ when he was not even nominated for any awards last year even though AJCL garnered such acclaim despite its ratings? Guess Steven got to be the 1st TVB managed 1st line male lead not be nominated for any awards whatsoever. Promote Steven, forget it, let's take away his face by humiliating him with this not so subtle status symbol move. The message sent to Steven was clear and loud, "acquiesce or else, don't mess with me." Yes, Steven was planning to leave TVB even then - rumors, even before the nomination list was publicized, were leaked by a crew member that “Dog” (yes, Dog) would be Steven’s last series.

Anyway, I could go on and on about how Steven despite being a talented actor is not only under promoted, but also is not well treated at all as a tvb managed artiste, but you get the picture. Only one of the many in a big group of talented artistes.

Some very good discussions going on...

I agree that Steven Ma is another lead artist who is talented but not heavily promoted. Though I'm not a fan of his, I have seen quite a few of his series and recognize that his acting is very good -- he's another one who is able to handle his characters well and make them very convincing. By not promoting him (and instead using him to mentor other artists), it's more proof that TVB isn't able to recognize true talent when they see it...

Seems like most people are in agreement regarding Sunny's situation -- there's nothing more pitiful than being dubbed the "warehouse king"...one thing I will say -- even though he has been relegated to silly roles by TVB lately, he still plays those roles well...even though TVB treats him like crap, he doesn't let that affect his acting, which is the way it should be (basically taking the high road). As a side note, I honestly can't believe that he would still work for TVB with the way they treat him....

Maybe TVB just got busy promoting Joe Ma instead LoL. I think Joe Ma is also from their generation wasn't he? It chills me at the thought of how many times Joe Ma got to pair with the big fadans Jessica and Flora even until now.

No problem -- I like Nadia's acting as well...though I wouldn't call myself a fan, I will admit that she is one of the few actresses that I enjoy seeing on TV (perhaps because I'm very comfortable with her acting -- it's not "over the top" like some actresses and I never get the feeling that something's missing or that the part could be acted better -- her acting is always "perfectly right" for me).

The reason I felt that Jessica was being promoted more than her is perhaps due to the fact that she wasn't contracted at the time....I dont' know...it just seems to me that everytime Nadia is in a TVB series with another "fa dan" (the series technically has 2 leading actresses), she just always seems to be the one who gets second billing....



Very true...I can't believe Joe gets promoted more than Sunny (though perhaps not as much anymore now after his scandal with Sonjia)....Sunny's acting is WAY better and technically he started taking on lead roles earlier than Joe (remember "The Criminal Investigator I&II when Sunny was already playing a major supporting role -- perhaps even second male lead -- yet Joe only had a minor role as one of his colleagues?)...IMO, it's just another one of those stupid things that TVB likes to do (promote an actor/actress they think is good-looking and popular over someone who may not have the looks, but definitely has the talent)....

^ The funny thing is Joe Ma didn't even get popular or gain many fans after all these promotions and pairings with powerful fadans. Had TVB continued promoting Sunny Chan who was already popular back then while Joe is still a supporting line mayeb Sunny could've go farther.

Yup...unfortunately, TVB never thinks about these types of things....no wonder so many talented artistes leaave them...

sometimes, i think Sunny is still working at TVB because of his passion of acting. He earns good money as doing business ( if i remember correctly)



Joe, this guy is over promoted imo. Beside his height, i dont think he is more handsome than Sunny

hmm Ada Choi, i felt like she doesn't have much activities these day. She never really heavily promoted..in the early days she get two series to film now mostly it's 1 series per year. even though she get lead....but there it's very little. even though people call her a fadan along with jessica and kenix etc...but compared to them...she didn't get as much promotion.

Prolly cos she isnt TVB Contracted artist now, she's under another category. So her # series per years is different.

Sammul!! He's not getting much promoted by TVB...
Yeah, i guess it's all because of him not being under TVB's contract. *sigh*
So sad...):

From what I heard Leila and Sammul are enjoying their freedom anyway and are becoming big in mainland China while the TVB contracted artists are being slaved by TVB with minimal pay and having to let TVB handle 99% of their life.

IMO, I feel that Christine Ng is one of them.
Also, Nancy Wu, who always got supporting roles.

I agree...Christine Ng is a very good actress, and pretty versatile too...look at all the different roles she has played (serious characters, silly mom characters, villain-type characters, etc.)...she plays the lead alot, but in recent years, she has also been relegated to supporting roles, which is quite sad.

Basically all the non-contracted artistes. I have enough of people like Moses, Kevin, Raymond etc. Not that I dislike them, but it's so good to see artistes like Gallen, Leila etc. once in a while.

So totally agree...that's why all the talented lead actors / actresses leave TVB...it's very obvious that in the last several years, we've been seeing the same people in series over and over again (Tavia, Charmaine, Moses, Kevin, Raymond, Bowie, Gigi, etc. etc.) because TVB doesn't have any one else to use like they did before -- the majority of the artists are either non-contracted and come back just to do one or two series or refuse to do any at all (those who made it big in the film industry).

This is the primary reason why I want to watch Born Rich but refuse to watch BTROC, no matter how much praise it gets -- I'm sick and tired of seeing the same actors over and over again....

If you were talk about the 80s and 90s actress and actor most of them like : idy chan , Kathy chow , Angie chiu , Chow yun Fat , andy lau , tony leung ..ect . they were like all famous ....


I think Derek Kwok ---> His acting are very good . Hes is so cool with those evil character in the ancient drama ...TVB should give him more chances ...

Sammul Chan ----> His acting are like way better than RON Ng he alway pair with him and never get to be the lead.....TVB give him more chance like if he is going to make another series with RON Ng make him be the LEAD you freak TVB >>>>

Actually, those that you listed from the 80's and 90's wouldn't apply because they were all Leads and they were all promoted by TVB...

In terms of Derek, he wouldn't fall in this category either because he has always been supporting...he hasn't played a lead role yet and isn't billed as a lead in any series...

Sammul Chan could possibly fall in this category, though I feel he wouldn't exactly be Lead either -- most I could say is "second lead" because I have yet to see him carry a series all by himself from start to finish...

yea ...i see some 80s and 90s name in some of the comment so that why i said that ..but is true that when the 80s and 90s actor come back they wouldnt get a chance to be in SOME really good one TVb just put them into a drama ( sometime are the crappy one ) and make them into the lead ....thant suck...................

No i think Derek should be in this category cuz yes he alway been a supporting role .. /but i think TVb should let him be the 1 lead once .............In Anciant drama really he is so good in those drama now a day TVB give him chance in War in law II and he act as a gay i think i was like WTF ...no fair ancient drama suit him more totally


Sammul chan ...if you watch " A bridge for a ride " omg that drama is So stupid is waste his talent

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http://jyjunkyard.road2us.com/forum.htm
Thanks guyssss

Nobody mentioned Micheal Tse?
Way underrated and under-promoted in TVB.

^ After Laughing he's promoted heavily for a period of time. Maybe it's me but I think TVB is slowly forgetting him.

For Me Ella Koon,Niki Chow & Kenneth Ma.
For Level Song : Ella,Niki,Kenneth & Tavia.

Michael Tse wouldn't fall into this category, since he's supporting, not lead (have yet to see him in a lead role)...