Netizens Say Angie Chiu, 66, Looks More Like 41-Year-Old Zhang Ziyi’s Grandmother Instead of Her Mum In New Drama

Veteran Hongkong actress Angie Chiu, who is best known for her role as the immortal Bai Suzhen in classic 1992 TV series New Legend of Madame White Snake, is often lauded for her ageless beauty.

Angie's new drama, historical epic Monarch Industry, premiered in China last week to much fanfare. After all, the series stars Zhang Ziyi in her first-ever small screen role, where she plays Princess Wang Xuan, who is the daughter of Angie's character.

Sounds like brilliant casting, right? Well, not for some netizens who are saying that Angie looks — gasp! — too old to play Ziyi's mum.

In fact, they are saying that the 66-year-old could even pass off as 41-year-old Ziyi’s grandmother .

Wait what?!

According to those netizens, while Angie looks good for her age, she also “exudes the aura of someone [who is in her sixties] and is not ‘ageless’ like she looks”.

Whatever that means, right?

And then there were those who took issue with her acting.

Viewers pointed out that she had a habit of “shaking her head” when she delivered her lines.

“Her acting now is exactly the same as when she was in New Legend of Madame White Snake,” wrote one netizen, while another commented that her acting is “very lousy” and that this show will “tarnish her reputation”.

Angie isn’t the only one getting slammed for taking on an age-inappropriate role. Viewers too were unimpressed with Ziyi who had to play the character as a 15-year-old at the start of the show.

In fact, the backlash got so heated that the actress took to Weibo to accuse the production team of exploiting her appearance, writing: “There is nothing wrong with looking youthful, but that is not me!”

However, netizens remain unmoved by her outburst.

One netizen commented: “If you were not fit for the role, then why did you accept it? Because you got paid loads and now you won’t let people criticise you. Another asked: “So you think you have the confidence to portray a 15-year-old well? Do you think you did a good job? Why are you blaming the production?”

Expectations for Monarchy Industry were high as it is Ziyi’s first TV drama in her 25-year career. However, the series has drawn mixed reviews for its “old-fashioned plot” and “poor acting”

Photos: Angie Chiu/Weibo, Zhang Ziyi/Weibo