The former “golden producers” of TVB, Mui Siu-ching (梅小青) and Lau Ka-ho (劉家豪), will be returning to the mother station next month as directors of the drama department, thus putting them on equal footing with TVB executive, Catherine Tsang (曾麗珍). The television producing couple are known for creating some of Hong Kong’s most popular television dramas in the last decade. Lau Ka-ho was the force behind the 2007 classic Heart of Greed <溏心風暴> and its record-breaking spiritual sequel, 2008’s Moonlight Resonance <溏心風暴之家好月圓>. Mui Siu-ching created the highly successful Forensic Heroes series <法證先鋒>, 2009’s Beyond the Realm of Conscience <宮心計>, and 2010’s Can’t Buy Me Love <公主嫁到>, the latter which pushed lead star Charmaine Sheh (佘詩曼) to win Best Actress at the 16th Asian Television Awards. According to a report released on Monday, both Lau Ka-ho and Mui Siu-ching will be returning to TVB next month as directors of the drama department. Lau and Mui had left TVB in 2012 for Now TV, where they acted as the general managers for Now TV’s drama department. There, the couple produced 2014’s The Virtuous Queen of Han <衛子夫>, a co-production with Mainland China’s Zhejiang Huace Film & TV. Mark Lee (李寶安), CEO of TVB Group, confirmed the news of Lau and Mui’s return on March 14. In his interview, he expressed that TVB’s rise in viewership ratings this year has prompted the broadcaster to begin recruiting more talent back so it can produce higher quality content for viewers. Lee said, “[TVB] will be producing about 600 hours of television dramas per year. We also plan to collaborate with various Mainland Chinese production giants. I am very happy to announce that we have invited producers Lau Ka-ho and Mui Siu-ching back to our family. They will be in charge of about 100 hours of drama content.” As directors of TVB’s drama department, Lau and Mui will operate within their own “special region.” To not clash with Catherine Tsang’s operations, Lau and Mui will be solely in charge of managing TVB’s co-productions with Mainland China. These aforementioned productions will have a budget of at least $30 million HKD, fifty percent more than standard HK-produced television dramas. Lau and Mui will be able to hire their own crew and actors. TVB said they also plan to hire overseas actors to star in these productions. With the return of Lau and Mui, it is alleged that TVB intends to continue Mui’s Forensic Heroes franchise, as well as create productions similar to the scope of Heart of Greed, Beyond the Realm of Conscience, and Can’t Buy Me Love. Heart of Greed stars, such as Louise Lee (李司棋), Susanna Kwan (關菊英), Michelle Yim (米雪), and Ha Yu (夏雨), have all expressed their glee at hearing Lau and Mui’s return to TVB. They said they are open to another collaboration again. Charmaine Sheh, who starred in Mui’s Forensic Heroes II, Beyond the Realm of Conscience, and Can’t Buy Me Love, said the producers’ return to TVB is a good thing. Out of all the productions she has worked with Mui, Charmaine said her favorite was Can’t Buy Me Love. “Because it’s a comedy,” said Charmaine. “We all had a great time filming it. The audience also loves it. After so many years, I still hear people praising it. I feel fortunate to have had worked with them.” Charmaine said she is definitely open to a collaboration with Lau and Mui again, but is not sure if she would be able to shoot another period drama due to her neck injury. “My doctor advised me to not wear anything heavy on my head because it would aggravate the old injury.” She said she needs to “really look into it” if she is to film another period drama again. Creds: Oncc
