2005–2010: Beginnings and rising popularity Professionally trained in ballet at the
Beijing Dance Academy, Liu Shishi made her acting debut in a leading role in the television drama series
The Moon and the Wind (2005), which included a specially designed segment of
Swan Lake. She then starred in wuxia drama
The Young Warriors (2006) and shenmo television series
The Fairies of Liaozhai (2007). In 2007, Liu graduated from the Beijing Dance Academy and was signed on by
Tangren Media. She gained recognition for her roles as
Mu Nianci in the wuxia drama
The Legend of the Condor Heroes (2008) and as
Long Kui in the
fantasy action drama
Chinese Paladin 3 (2009). In 2010, Liu starred in the historical drama
A Weaver on the Horizon, based on the life story of
Huang Daopo.
2011–2012: Breakthrough and venture into films In 2011, Liu starred alongside
Wallace Huo in period action drama
The Vigilantes In Masks, which received positive reviews. She then played the female protagonist, Ruoxi, in the time travel historical romance series,
Scarlet Heart, based on the novel
Bu Bu Jing Xin by
Tong Hua.
Scarlet Heart became a megahit in China and beyond. Liu bagged several awards at local award-giving bodies for her performance, including Most Popular Actress awards at the
China TV Drama Awards and
Shanghai Television Festival. The drama has since been adapted into
Korean and
Thai versions. Liu followed her TV success with several big screen roles. She made her feature film debut in
The Next Miracle (2012), directed by Taiwanese filmmaker Zhuo Li. She also filmed two other movies,
Sad Fairy Tale and
A Moment of Love. In 2012, Liu starred in action drama
Xuan-Yuan Sword: Scar of Sky, adapted from the
video game of the same name. The series topped TV ratings and garnered 2 billion views online. Liu's soaring popularity due to
Scarlet Heart in 2011 coupled with
Xuan-Yuan Sword: Scar of Sky in 2012 allowed her to become the "
Golden Eagle Goddess" at the
9th China Golden Eagle TV Art Festival. She was also chosen by
Southern Metropolis Daily as one of the new
Four Dan Actresses alongside
Angelababy,
Yang Mi and
Ni Ni.
2013–present: Mainstream popularity In 2013, Liu starred in action comedy
Badges of Fury alongside
Jet Li. She then starred in
wuxia film
Brotherhood of Blades, alongside Taiwanese actor
Chang Chen, for which Liu was nominated for Best Actress at the
China Film Directors' Guild Awards. The series topped television and web ratings domestically, and was also well-received overseas. Liu then starred in romance film
Five Minutes to Tomorrow playing dual roles. She and co-stars
Haruma Miura and
Joseph Chang attended the 19th
Busan International Film Festival for the premiere of the film, where she received the Asia Star Award. In 2016, Liu headlined the historical drama
The Imperial Doctress, based on the life of
Tan Yunxian, a female physician during China's
Ming Dynasty. The drama topped television ratings its run and received positive reviews, and Liu won the Most Influential Actress award at 1st China Television Drama Quality Ceremony for her performance. In 2017, Liu starred along actors
Wang Qianyuan and
Cao Bingkun in the spy drama
The Battle at Dawn. The year also saw her long-overdue romance drama
Angelo, which was shot in 2011, air. In it, she played a young single mother opposite
Ming Dao. Liu then starred in historical fantasy drama
Lost Love in Times alongside
William Chan, as well as the crime suspense film
The Liquidator where she played a palaeoichnology expert. In 2019, Liu starred in the romance melodrama
If I Can Love You So alongside
Tong Dawei. The series has previously completed filming in 2016. The same year, she announced her comeback after two years with the female-centric modern drama
To Dear Myself. ==Personal life==