Liu Tao ( zh, s=刘涛, t=劉濤, p=Liú Tāo, born 12 July 1978) is a Chinese actress. She is known for her roles in ''

My Fair Princess III ''My Fair Princess III'', also called ''My Fair Princess III: Heavenly Earth'', is a 2003 television drama and the sequel of the 2-season series '' My Fair Princess'' (1998–1999). A joint production between Ho Jan Entertainment International Li ...

'' (2003), ''Madame White Snake'' (2006), ''

Mazu Mazu or Matsu is a sea goddess in Chinese folk religion, Chinese Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. She is also known by several other names and titles. Mazu is the deified form of Lin Moniang (), a shamaness from Fujian who is said to ...

'' (2012), ''To Elderly With Love'' (2013), ''

Nirvana in Fire ''Nirvana in Fire'' () is a 2015 Chinese language, Chinese historical drama and political thriller based on Hai Yan's book ''Lang Ya Bang (瑯琊榜)''. It was directed by Kong Sheng and Li Xue, and stars Hu Ge, Liu Tao and Wang Kai (actor), Wang ...

'' (2015), ''

Legend of Mi Yue ''The Legend of Mi Yue'' () is a 2015 Chinese television series directed by Zheng Xiaolong and based on eponymous historical novel. It stars Sun Li in the title role of Mi Yue. The series aired 2 episodes daily on Beijing TV and Dragon TV from 30 ...

'' (2015), and ''

Ode to Joy "Ode to Joy" ( ) is an ode written in the summer of 1785 by the German poet, playwright, and historian Friedrich Schiller. It was published the following year in the Thalia (German magazine), German magazine ''Thalia''. In 1808, a slightly revi ...

'' (2016).

Career

Liu entered the industry in 2000, when she was cast in the family sitcom ''Daughter-in-Law''. In 2003, Liu was cast in ''

'', playing the role of Musha. Following the series, Liu rose to fame in China. Her subsequent performance as A'zhu in ''

Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils ''Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils'' is a wuxia novel by Jin Yong (Louis Cha). It was first serialised concurrently from 3 September 1963 to 27 May 1966 in the newspapers ''Ming Pao'' in Hong Kong and '' Nanyang Siang Pau'' in Singapore. It has been ...

'' (2003) made her a household name. In 2006, Liu starred in ''Madame White Snake'' and gained attention for her portrayal of the titular heroine. Liu challenged her first

antagonist An antagonist is a character in a story who is presented as the main enemy or rival of the protagonist and is often depicted as a villain.Da Li Princess ''Dali Princess'' ()is a Chinese television series produced by CCTV in 2006. This series completed filming on 22 January 2006. Spanning over 31 episodes, series focuses on the lead character Aiyue's love relationships. There were plans to start ...

'' (2009) co-starring

Ruby Lin Ruby Lin Xin-ru ( zh, c=林心如, p=Lín Xīnrú; born January 27, 1976) is a Taiwanese actress, television and film producer, and singer. Lin began her career as a commercial model in 1993 and gained pan-Asian prominence for her role as Xia Ziw ...

. In 2012, she played

in the television series of the same name. The drama gained high ratings during its run and won at the Outstanding Television Series award at the

China TV Golden Eagle Award The China TV Golden Eagle Award (), is one of three most prestigious national awards recognizing excellence in the Chinese television industry, alongside the Feitian Awards and Magnolia Awards. It is known as the "national-level television art ...

and

Flying Apsaras Awards The China TV Drama Flying Apsaras Awards (), also known as Flying Apsaras Awards, or simply Feitian Awards, is a biannual awards ceremony honoring excellence in Chinese television. Named after the ''Gandhanra'', aka "Flying Apsaras", the desi ...

. Liu's subsequent performance as a capable career woman and housewife in acclaimed melodrama ''To Elderly With Love'' (2013) garnered her the

Best Actress Best Actress is the name of an award which is presented by various film, television and theatre organisations, festivals, and people's awards to leading actresses in a film, television series, television film or play. The first Best Actress award ...

award at the

and the Best Performing Arts Award at the China Golden Eagle TV Arts Festival. The same year, she starred in ''Good Wife'' as a mother and housewife who struggles with the challenges of family-life. The family drama was a ratings hit and along with the discussion of Liu's own marital arrangements, became one of the most talked-about topics on

Weibo Weibo (), or Sina Weibo (), is a Chinese microblogging ( weibo) website. Launched by Sina Corporation on 14 August 2009, it is one of the biggest social media platforms in China, with over 582 million monthly active users (252 million daily ac ...

. As a result, Liu gained a surge in popularity. In 2015, she starred in acclaimed historical-wuxia drama ''

'', playing a strong warrior princess. A wax figure based on her role "Ni Huang" was displayed in Beijing Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. The same year, she co-starred in historical drama ''

The Legend of Mi Yue ''The Legend of Mi Yue'' () is a 2015 Chinese television series directed by Zheng Xiaolong and based on eponymous historical novel. It stars Sun Li in the title role of Mi Yue. The series aired 2 episodes daily on Beijing TV and Dragon TV from ...

'' as the antagonist, and won the Best Supporting Actress award at the

Shanghai Television Festival The Shanghai Television Festival (), abbreviated STVF, also known as the Shanghai International Television Festival is the first and one of the largest television festivals in East Asia. Held since 1986, STVF has become one of the most influential ...

. In 2016, Liu headlined the modern romance drama ''

'', playing a capable but insecure woman. The drama garnered positive reviews and high ratings, and Liu was nominated as Best Actress at the

Huading Awards The Huading Awards are a set of entertainment awards in China. The awards were set up by Global Talents Media Group, Inc in 2007 and are held more than once each year across multiple entertainment media from Chinese television shows to internatio ...

and

. In 2017, Liu starred in historical drama ''

The Advisors Alliance ''The Advisors Alliance'' is a 2017 Chinese two-part television series based on the life of Sima Yi, a government official and military general who lived in the late Eastern Han dynasty and Three Kingdoms period of China. The series starred Wu Xiu ...

'', portraying

Zhang Chunhua Zhang Chunhua (189 – May or June 247) was a Chinese noble lady and aristocrat. She was the wife of Sima Yi, a prominent military general and regent of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of China. She was posthumously honoure ...

, the wife of

Sima Yi Sima Yi (; ; 179 CE7 September 251 CE), courtesy name Zhongda, was a Chinese military general, politician, and regent of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of China. He formally began his political career in 208 under th ...

. The same year, she featured in the crime thriller ''Peace Breaker'' and action thriller '' The Foreigner''. In 2019, Liu reunited with ''

'' co-star Yang Shuo in romance melodrama ''Hope All is Well with Us''. In 2019, Liu starred in historical drama ''Poetry of the Song Dynasty'', acting for Empress Liu E, the wife of

Emperor Zhenzong Emperor Zhenzong of Song (23 December 968 – 23 March 1022), personal name Zhao Heng, was the third emperor of the Song dynasty of China. He reigned from 997 to his death in 1022. His personal name was originally Zhao Dechang, but was change ...

portrayed by the Taiwanese actor

Vic Chou Vic Chou (; born June 9, 1981) is a Taiwanese actor and singer. He is a member of the Taiwanese boy band F4. Career F4 Chou rose to fame for his role as Hua Ze Lei in the highly popular Taiwan television series '' Meteor Garden''. At the conc ...

. It is directed by renowned director

Li Shaohong Li Shaohong (born 7 July 1955) is a Chinese film and television director and producer. She is considered a member of the Fifth Generation movement, and China's top woman director. Her films have won multiple awards in China and abroad, includin ...

. The same year, she starred in the drama film ''Midnight Diner'', based on the Japanese manga of the same name.

Filmography

Film

Television series

Variety show

Discography

Albums

Singles

Awards and nominations

''Forbes'' China Celebrity 100

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Liu, Tao Actresses from Jiangxi People from Nanchang 1978 births Living people 21st-century Chinese actresses Chinese film actresses Chinese television actresses Participants in Chinese reality television series