Chinese-American actress Fala Chen’s next project is a Netflix film titled The Ballad Of A Small Player, which is reported as her first leading role since crossing over to Hollywood.
The film also features Irish actor Colin Farrell and Scottish actress Tilda Swinton, and will be directed by German filmmaker Edward Berger, best known for All Quiet On The Western Front (2022).
Before starting her new role, Chen took time to meet up with her TVB friends during a recent visit to Hong Kong.
The 42-year-old, now based in the United States, reunited with her co-stars from the 2012 TVB costume drama Queens Of Diamonds And Hearts.
The 25-episode drama centres around an emperor (Roger Kwok) and his two wives, the Queen of the East Palace (Chen) and the Queen of the West Palace (Sharon Chan).
Cast members Chan and Kitty Yuen shared photos of their reunion on Instagram, with others present at the gathering including Louis Yuen and Koni Lui.
However, the show’s leading man Kwok was unable to attend as he had filming commitments.
Chan wrote in the caption: “In 2011, we became friends while filming Queens Of Diamonds And Hearts.
“Our friendship has remained unchanged since then. We’ve missed Fala so much, and she’s finally back!
“This time, it was the Eastern Empress who summoned us back to the palace, and without hesitation, we rushed out to see this happy mum.
“Tonight, the emperor (Roger Kwok) had to work, so we couldn't have everyone together.
“But that just gives us another excuse to meet up again! Seeing everyone happy, healthy, and safe makes me so happy.”
Chen, who is married to French entrepreneur Emmanuel Straschnov, announced in March that she had given birth to a son nicknamed Little Mickey. The couple also have a three-year-old daughter, nicknamed Little Minnie.
In Hong Kong, Chen has starred in series such as No Regrets (2010), Lives Of Omission (2011) and Triumph In The Skies II (2013).
She left TVB in 2013, at a time when was considered one of top TVB actresses.
Since making her move to the US, Chen has appeared in two major Hollywood films – Marvel’s Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings (2021) and Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire (2024) – as well as in the high-profile miniseries The Undoing (2020) and Irma Vep (2022).
