HONG Kong TV series 'Fearless' — focusing on drug lord Limpy Ho and four detectives' fight against corruption in the 1960s and '70s — started filming in Malaysia this month.
The cast features 40 Hong Kong actors and 50 Malaysian actors.
Sam Lee, the executive producer, plays the drug lord, a role he said was "quite challenging".
"As an actor, you need to know your lines and act well, but as an executive producer, you are like a strategist, involved in every part of the show, from story development to preparation, filming and post-production."
Lee added the drama was set in 1960s and 1970s.
"It was a crazy era dominated by drugs, gambling and crime lords.
"Paul (Chong) and I started conceptualising this story in 2019, and after five years of preparation, we began filming this year."
He said he hoped the filming locations in Malaysia would bring a new style and feel to the series.
"Malaysia and Hong Kong were British colonies and have preserved a lot of colonial-style architecture."
The 30-episode detective action drama is co-produced by Youku and One Cool Film Production Ltd, and co-created by Two Cool International Media Ltd and Filmforce Studio Malaysia
The series is directed and written by Chong, with Xie Ying, Tang Wai But and Sam Lee as executive producers, and Quan Xiang Lan as producer.
The HK cast includes Michael Miu, Philip Keung, Chrissie Chau, Carlos Chan, Tony Wu, German Cheung, Edward Ma, Chloe So, Carl Ng, Lau Kong, Ben Yuen, Bryant Mak, Ng Siu Hin, Carlo Ng, Carmen Tong, Adrian Chau and Dang Tao.
The Malaysian actors include One Cool Malaysia's stars Yuan Teng, Sam Liew, Jordan Voon, Eric Chen, Rabbit Chen and Tan Kim Wang.
Michael Miu returns to Malaysia to film for the first time since doing 'Guardian Angel' in 2018.
"The people here are as enthusiastic as ever and that is really heartwarming."
He plays Sam Lok Tin, one of Hong Kong's four top Chinese detectives, characterised by his bold and meticulous ways.
Michael said he did a lot of research on his character.
"Lok Tin is a new challenge for me because I rarely play these characters."
Keung has participated in many Malaysian productions.
"I have been in Malaysia for almost half a year."
He plays Ngan Kun Yat, an ambitious and corrupt detective, and a subordinate of Lok Tin.
Chan, who plays the righteous character Chan Fo Tow, expressed his excitement when he received the role.
"Hong Kong people are not familiar with this era and its figures.
"Filming this drama not only lets us travel back to the 1960s and 1970s, but also takes us on a holiday with a big group of familiar Hong Kong actor friends here in Malaysia."
Soon to become a father, he said he planned to take a break to return to Hong Kong and welcome his baby.
Chrissie Chau plays Wong Ying Kei, the most important female character.
Chrissie described Ying Kei as a loyal and righteous character.
"She is trapped in the underworld, running the drug business, but despite her tough exterior, she yearns for simple happiness."
Chloe said she felt nervous before filming the drama.
"I have many emotional scenes to perform, especially with Carlos and involving complex romantic feelings."
'Fearless' talks about Hong Kong history before the establishment of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).
In the late 1960s, the police force under Senior Inspector Lok Tin was corrupt.
Inspector Chan led a group of police officers, commanding the isolated and weak Anti-Corruption Division, to fight a long war against graft.
Filming began in Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh and Seremban this month. The series is expected to debut in 2025.