《protagonist》Adapted from Chen Yan's novel of the same name, the story takes the inheritance of Qin Opera art and the ups and downs of a generation of actors as the main line, telling Yi Qin'e's growth experience from a rural girl to the center of the stage step by step.When he was young, Hu Sanyuan signed up his niece for the county theater troupe to recruit students, took her out of her hometown and changed her name to Yi Qin'e.It was not smooth sailing for her when she first joined the troupe. She not only had to adapt to the rigorous training, but also had to face the pressure brought by family ties, the shadow of the accident and competition among her peers.

Under the guidance of old artists and her own hard training, Yi Qin'e gradually revealed her talent.Her "Breaking Meng Opera" became a blockbuster on the rural stage. Later, she changed her name to Yi Qin'e and was transferred to the provincial Qin Opera Troupe.A bigger stage brings more opportunities, as well as more complex human relationships, fame, fortune and artistic choices.Recalling Qin'e's practice of singing, chanting, and acting in rehearsals, performances, and life changes, she also experienced the rise, fall, and perseverance of traditional opera in the changing times.

The series not only describes the process of an actor becoming famous, but also interweaves family ties, the inheritance of masters and apprentices, the ecology of the theater troupe and the contemporary situation of the Qin Opera stage.Yi Qin'e's transformation from a supporting role to a protagonist relies not only on talent, but also long-term self-discipline, patience and reverence for the stage.She has experienced applause and neglect, temptation and loss, and finally understands that the true “protagonist” does not only belong to the spotlight, but is a person who can still maintain love, take responsibility and pass on art to those who come after her in the ups and downs of fate.

《protagonist》Produced by Zhang Yimou, directed by Li Shaofei, written by Zheng Hua and Jingyu, starring Zhang Jiayi, Liu Haocun, Qin Hailu, Dou Xiao, Zhai Zilu, Wang Xiaochen special starring, and Li Zefeng friendly starring.The series is adapted from Chen Yan's novel of the same name, which won the Mao Dun Literature Award. It focuses on the life experience of a famous Qin opera singer recalling Qin E, showing traditional opera, female growth, stage inheritance and changes of the times.

《protagonist》 will be broadcast on CCTV-1 prime time on May 10, 2026, with a total of 48 episodes, and the broadcast status is completed.The theme types are period, literature and art, and drama.