off-stage drama #1

Off-Stage Drama is a new on-going feature that tells the stories of drama that goes on behind-the-scenes. Stars are people and with people involved, there's bound to be jealousy, rivalries, and clashing personalities. The press feeds on these conflicts. [Please note that this feature is not 100% factual. They are based on rumors as reported by the media.]




Nancy Sit versus Lee See Kei

Rumors of disharmony between these two veterans date back to their collaboration on TVB's longest running production and only true soap opera, A Kindred Spirit. For whatever reason, the media reported that they didn't get along. Perhaps a rivalry of some sort existed between the two. I'm not clear as this is dating back to ten years ago. Kindred came to an end mainly because Lee See Kei, who played the main mother on the show, was diagnosed with cancer. Aside from that, ratings were becoming stale and TVB wanted the show to go out with a bang. It's also said that Nancy and Lee See Kei's conflicts led to Kindred's end.



After the series concluded, Nancy directed a stage show for Kindred, focusing on real-life issues and untold stories of the cast members. The storyline takes place years later and it's reported that the story revolved around Lee See Kei and Nancy coming to terms with their issues and making peace. I'm not sure if the storyline is about their characters in Kindred or their real life drama. In any case, the disharmony between the two of them finally came to an end and they made nice. [As it should, cancer trumps everything else.]

Now, seven years later, new bitter seeds have been planted again...

The role of "Dai Kai"
The grand production Heart of Greed is currently the hot topic of Hong Kong with high ratings and rave reviews. It is red hot in Hong Kong and overseas, with much discussion. Everyone in the cast is seeing a boost in their popularity. In particular, Lee See Kei, who makes her comeback to the entertainment industry after defeating cancer, is being most well-received. She hasn't appeared in a series since Kindred, so people are happy to see her back. People rave at her performance and love her character. Indeed, "Dai Kai" is a special role and touched many hearts and left a solid impression for Lee See Kei. Lee See Kei also has the 80-episode blockbuster The Gem of Life to even further her popularity. Things are looking very bright for this comeback star.

However, it turns out that Lee See Kei wasn't the first choice for the role.

In fact, "Dai Kai" was originally given to Nancy! It was reported recently in a Canadian newspaper (when Nancy was there to do some promotion) that TVB gave the role of "Dai Kai" to Nancy in the beginning. However, Nancy had to go do a health promotion and needed to take a few days off. It is directly because of these "few days" that TVB re-casted "Dai Kai" and gave it to Lee See Kei. Consequently, Nancy lost the chance to play "Dai Kai" - a role TVB had promised to her but ultimately took away.

Nancy says she is happy for Lee See Kei, but you can tell she is upset. Aside from her radio show The World's Family ("Ga Tin Ha"), Nancy has faded away from the limelight after ending her beloved role as "Yau Nim Chi" in Virtues of Harmony. She has filmed one series since then, but Heavenly In-Laws was upsettingly warehoused. Nancy has been with TVB for many years, but doesn't have the "big sister" position as do Liza Wang, Dodo Cheng, and even Lee See Kei. It's a wonder when Nancy will make her comeback at TVB. [On a side note, she doesn't want to film that much since filming series is hard work.]

It is a shame that Nancy lost the chance to play "Dai Kai" and reap all of the benefits of such a portrayal. You really cannot blame her for being bitter or upset over such a loss.

And such... is the off-stage drama between Nancy and Lee See Kei.

You Speak!
Was it wrong of TVB to just recast "Dai Kai" like that because Nancy Sit had other arrangements to attend to? Who would you rather have play "Dai Kai?"