# The Longest Day in Chang'an

The Longest Day in Chang'an (Chinese: 长安十二时辰) is a 2019 Chinese historical suspense drama directed by Cao Dun and written by Paw Studio. The series stars Lei Jiayin and Jackson Yee. It is based on the novel of the same name by Ma Boyong. The Longest Day in Chang'an is produced jointly by Youku, Beijing Weying Technology Co., Ltd, Liu Bai Entertainment and Yuyue Film Co., Ltd. The series follows the characters Zhang Xiaojing and Li Bi, and their efforts to foil a terrorist attack on Chang'an, the capital of the Tang dynasty (618–907). It began airing in China on Youku from June 27, 2019.

## Story

Zhang Xiaojing is a former soldier in the Longyou Army who served on the frontiers of the Tang dynasty. After retiring, he joined the local security of the city of Chang'an, the heart of the empire, but he was imprisoned and sentenced to death after an incident in which Zhang killed 34 members of a gang that murdered his former Army commander Wen, and then killed his current commanding officer.
Zhang is unexpectedly reprieved when plans for a major rebellion are uncovered, involving a terrorist cell, the Wolf Squad, which has slipped into Chang'an before the Lantern Festival, one of the most spectacular days in the ancient Chinese calendar. To secure the safety of the Chang'an people, the Jing'an Si (Department of City Security) grants Zhang a special 24-hour amnesty, and he is ordered to catch the terrorists and foil the plot before the day is out. If he succeeds, he will be freed, otherwise, he will be executed. But to his surprise, Zhang discovers that he has been drawn into a far greater conspiracy against the empire than anyone had suspected.

## Cast
### Main

* Lei Jiayin as Zhang Xiaojing
* Jackson Yee as Li Bi

### Supporting

* Zhou Yiwei as Long Bo
* Peng Guanying as Qin Zheng
* Wu Xiaoliang as Cao Poyan
* Han Tongsheng as He Zhizheng (based on He Zhizhang)
* Cai Lu as Cui Qi
* Lu Fangsheng as Yao Runeng
* Yu Ailei as Yuan Zai
* Djimon Hounsou as Master Ge (voiced by Chen Jianbin)
* Eldos Faruk as Yazedbozid (Monk Yisi)
* Volker Helfrich [de] as Monk Jingde
* Zhao Wei as Xu Bin
* Song Yunhao as Cheng Shen (based on Cen Shen)
* Feng Jiayi as Emperor Xuanzong of Tang
* Reyizha as Tan Qi
* Xu Lu as Yan Yuhuan (based on Yang Yuhuan)
* Wang Herun as Wen Ran
* Ai Ru as Wang Runxiu
* Gao Ye as Li Xiangxiang
* Li Yuan as Yu Chang
* Wang Sisi as Ding Tong'er
* Qu Shanshan as Xu Hezi
* Zhou Lula as Li Yu
* Sukhee Ariunbyamba as Mage'er
* Yin Zhusheng as Lin Jiulang (based on Li Linfu)
* Yang Yi as Wen Wuji
* Ge Zhao'en as Prince Yong
* Robert Gilabert as Pifu

## Production

Before shooting, Cao Dun and the screenplay writers read the original novel three times.
The crew spent 7 months building the street scenery of Chang'an city.
In order to design the costume of Taoist priest Li Bi, the crew went to consult the Chinese Taoist Association.
Shooting began on November 11, 2017, and ended on June 15, 2018.

## Broadcast

The series aired on Chinese online video platform Youku on June 27, 2019. As of July 1, 2019, it got released in other Asian countries, such as Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam. It was released in North America through video streaming website including Viki, Amazon and YouTube.
Series 1 began streaming in Australia on SBS On Demand as of 22 January 2020.

## Reception

The series has earned high praises. Douban, a major Chinese media rating site, gave the drama 8.6 out of 10.

## Awards and nominations

| Award | Category | Nominee | Results |
| The Third Internet Film Festival | Best Web Series | The Longest Day in Chang'an | Won |
| The Third Internet Film Festival | Best Actor | Lei Jiayin | Won |
| The Third Internet Film Festival | Best Producer | Liang Chao | Won |
| 24th Busan International Film Festival | Asian Contents Awards - Best Actor | Lei Jiayin | Won |
| 3rd Yinchuan Internet Film Festival | Best Web Series | The Longest Day in Chang'an | Nominated |
| 3rd Yinchuan Internet Film Festival | Best Director (Web series) | Cao Dun | Won |
| 3rd Yinchuan Internet Film Festival | Best Actor (Web series) | Lei Jiayin | Won |
| 26th Huading Awards | Best Director | Cao Dun | Nominated |
| 26th Huading Awards | Best Actor | Lei Jiayin | Nominated |
| 26th Huading Awards | Best Actress (Historical drama) | Re Yizha | Nominated |
| 26th Huading Awards | Best Newcomer | Jackson Yee | Nominated |
| 26th Huading Awards | Best Producer | Liang Chao | Nominated |
| 26th Huading Awards | Top Ten Favorite Actors | Lei Jiayin | Won |
| 26th Huading Awards | Top Ten Favorite Actors | Jackson Yee | Won |
| 2nd Cultural and Entertainment Industry Congress | Drama of the Year | The Longest Day in Chang'an | Nominated |
| 2nd Cultural and Entertainment Industry Congress | Best Actor (Drama) | Lei Jiayin | Nominated |
| 2nd Cultural and Entertainment Industry Congress | Best Supporting Actor (Drama) | Cai Lu | Nominated |
| 2nd Cultural and Entertainment Industry Congress | Best Supporting Actress (Drama) | Re Yizha | Nominated |
| 2nd Cultural and Entertainment Industry Congress | Breakthrough Actor (Drama) | Jackson Yee | Nominated |
| 2nd Cultural and Entertainment Industry Congress | Best On-screen Portrayal | Zhang Xiaojing (Lei Jiayin) | Nominated |
| China Entertainment Industry Summit (Golden Pufferfish Awards) | Best Drama | The Longest Day in Chang'an | Won |
| China Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival (1st Network Drama Awards) | Quality Web Drama | The Longest Day in Chang'an | Won |
| Golden Bud - The Fourth Network Film And Television Festival | Best Web Series | The Longest Day in Chang'an | Nominated |
| Golden Bud - The Fourth Network Film And Television Festival | Quality Web Drama of the Year | The Longest Day in Chang'an | Won |
| Golden Bud - The Fourth Network Film And Television Festival | Best Actor | Lei Jiayin | Nominated |
| Golden Bud - The Fourth Network Film And Television Festival | Best Actress | Xu Lu | Nominated |
| Golden Bud - The Fourth Network Film And Television Festival | Rising Actress of the Year | Xu Lu | Won |
| Golden Bud - The Fourth Network Film And Television Festival | Best Newcomer | Jackson Yee | Nominated |
| 8th China Student Television Festival | Most Watched Television Series | | Won |
| 8th China Student Television Festival | Most Watched Actor | Lei Jiayin | Won |
| 8th China Student Television Festival | Most Watched Actor | Jackson Yee | Won |
| Baidu Fudian Awards | Top Ten Television Series | The Longest Day in Chang'an | Won |
| Sina Film & TV Award Ceremony | Top Ten Television Series | The Longest Day in Chang'an | Won |
| 11th Macau International Television Festival | Best Web Series | The Longest Day in Chang'an | Won |
| Film and TV Role Model 2019 Ranking | Quality Web Series | The Longest Day in Chang'an | Won |
| Weibo Awards Ceremony | Hot Drama of the Year | The Longest Day in Chang'an | Won |
| 26th Shanghai Television Festival | Best Television Series | The Longest Day in Chang'an | Nominated |
| 26th Shanghai Television Festival | Best Director | Cao Dun | Nominated |
| 26th Shanghai Television Festival | Best Adapted Screenplay | Zhuazi Studio | Nominated |
| 26th Shanghai Television Festival | Best Actor | Lei Jiayin | Nominated |
| 26th Shanghai Television Festival | Best Cinematography | Jing Chong | Won |
| 26th Shanghai Television Festival | Best Art Direction | Yang Zhijia, Jin Yang | Won |
| 30th China TV Golden Eagle Award | Outstanding Television Series | The Longest Day in Chang'an | Won |
| 30th China TV Golden Eagle Award | Best Director | Cao Dun | Nominated |
| 30th China TV Golden Eagle Award | Best Actor | Jackson Yee | Nominated |
| 30th China TV Golden Eagle Award | Audience's Choice For Actor | Jackson Yee | Nominated |
| 30th China TV Golden Eagle Award | Best Screenwriter | Gua Zi Studio | Nominated |
| 30th China TV Golden Eagle Award | Best Cinematography | Xing Chong | Won |
| 30th China TV Golden Eagle Award | Best Original Soundtrack | Duan Ge Xing | Nominated |