Chen Shu keeps a low profile but still enjoys a great fanbase. Photo provided to China Daily

Director stresses indie spirit

Chinese art-house film wins at the box office

She is always well prepared for her roles, so her acting is very convincing and natural. In private, she is a smart woman who knows how to communicate with others. Her husband is also very sweet, and he would bring red wine and home-cooked food to her when we worked. She is a happy woman and a good friend.

Huang Lei, actor-director, who worked with Chen Shu in two TV series

Among all the actresses I have worked with, I am impressed by her fast understanding of the characters and how she interprets the roles in her own style. She also separates her life and career in a balanced way. During the past few years, she has reached fame and become mature as an actress. I am really looking forward to working with her more.

Wang Jun, director of the popular TV series Husband and Wife and Honey Bee Man

I was very touched by her performance in the TV series Iron

Pear. When I looked for the leading actress for my work, Theater—the last TV series in my trilogy on Chinese women from different time periods—Chen came to my mind first. The role she played is an actress who has a roller coaster life. When we started shooting, her accurate portrayal of the character really surprised me.

Yan Geling, renowned Chinese-American writer and playwright on TV series such as Iron Pear and Zhang Yimou's movie, The Flowers of War