# The Lead (2026) — Celluloid TV fact sheet

Source: https://celluloidscore.com/shows/the-lead/
Last reviewed: 2026-07-25

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Celluloid Score | 91% |
| Critic Score | 92% |
| Audience Score | 96% |
| Metascore | 81/100 |
| IMDb | 9/10 |
| Fan Score | 96% |
| Creator | Zhang Yimou & Li Shaofei & Chen Yan |
| Platform | iQIYI |
| Genres | Drama |
| Seasons | 1 (48 episodes) |
| Language | Mandarin |
| Country | China |

## Quick answer

The Lead (2026) is a Drama series created by Zhang Yimou & Li Shaofei & Chen Yan, streaming on iQIYI. It holds a 91% Celluloid Score — Celluloid Pick — averaged from critic reviews (92%), audience ratings (96%), Metascore (81/100), IMDb (9/10), and fan ratings (96%) across 1 season.

## Critics consensus

The Lead — a notable Celluloid catalog credit with strong audience discovery.

## Synopsis

Yi Qin'e is taken to the cultural troupe by her uncle Hu Sanyuan to learn to sing Qinqiang Opera. From then on, her life unfolds with ups and downs. She achieves glorious artistic accomplishments, yet also experiences a profound sense of loneliness beyond ordinary people's comprehension.

## Cast

Liu Haocun, Zhang Jiayi, Qin Hailu, Shawn Dou, Zhai Zilu, Wang Xiaochen

## Most searched questions

**Is The Lead worth watching?**
Yes — The Lead earns a 91% Celluloid Score (Celluloid Pick), averaged from critic 92%, audience 96%, Metascore 81/100, IMDb 9/10, and fan 96%. The Lead — a notable Celluloid catalog credit with strong audience discovery.

**Why is The Lead so highly rated?**
The Lead scores 91% because all five independent sources agree: critics 92%, audiences 96%, Metacritic 81/100, IMDb 9/10 and fan ratings 96%. The Lead — a notable Celluloid catalog credit with strong audience discovery. See the full breakdown on the The Lead series page.

**Is The Lead on Netflix?**
No — The Lead is not on Netflix. It streams on iQIYI, and on Celluloid it is catalogued under iQIYI. Streaming rights rotate by country, so confirm in your region before subscribing.

**What year did The Lead come out?**
The Lead first aired in 2026 (2026). Created by Zhang Yimou & Li Shaofei & Chen Yan; it streams on iQIYI today.

**How many seasons of The Lead are there?**
The Lead has 1 season across 48 episodes (2026). Status: ended / complete.

**How long does it take to watch The Lead?**
At roughly 40–50 minutes per episode, The Lead’s 48 episodes take roughly 36 hours of runtime (plus credits). Binge pace depends on season breaks.

**Where can I watch The Lead?**
The Lead streams on iQIYI in supported regions. On Celluloid it is catalogued under iQIYI. Rights rotate — confirm in your country on the platform app.

**Who is in the cast of The Lead?**
The Lead stars Liu Haocun, Zhang Jiayi, Qin Hailu, Shawn Dou, Zhai Zilu, and others. Created by Zhang Yimou & Li Shaofei & Chen Yan.

**How many episodes are in The Lead?**
The Lead has 48 episodes across 1 season (2026).

**What is The Lead about?**
Yi Qin'e is taken to the cultural troupe by her uncle Hu Sanyuan to learn to sing Qinqiang Opera. From then on, her life unfolds with ups and downs. She achieves glorious artistic accomplishments, yet also experiences a profound sense of loneliness beyond ordinary people's comprehension.

**Who created The Lead?**
The Lead was created by Zhang Yimou & Li Shaofei & Chen Yan. It is a drama series from China, primarily in Mandarin.

**What should I watch after The Lead?**
Browse more drama series on Celluloid’s iQIYI hub, or open More Like This.

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Reviewed and scored by Celluloid · Editor: Kaiser Khan (https://celluloidscore.com/author/kaiser-khan/)

Markdown mirror: https://celluloidscore.com/shows/the-lead.md