Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre (2003): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 2003, Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre is a drama series.

What it’s about. Based on the popular novel by Jin Yong Kam Yung. He also wrote Legend of the Condor Heroes and Return of the Condor Heroes. The Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre takes place during 14th Century China during the Mongolian Yuan Dynasty, roughly 100 years after the events of Return of the Condor Heroes. After decades of struggles, famine, and bitterness which the Chinese citizens blamed on the Yuan Dynasty's misgovernment, the Martial Arts sects have begun to rebel. Prince Ruyong asks Cheng Kun, a Shaolin monk with an ulterior motive, for a plan on how to deal with the rebels. "The wielder of Heavenly Sword and/or Dragon Sabre rules the world." This well known legend in the Martial Arts community is the impetus for the tale of Zhang Wuji. The story begins with how his parents met (episodes 1-3), then tells his trials as an adolescent (episodes 4-8), proceeds to relate his rise to prominence (episodes 9-23) and reveals the secret behind Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre (episode 23), and ends with the confluence of Wuji's love life, the Martial Arts sects' long standing grudges, and cruel fate.

Who’s in it. Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre stars Alyssa Chia Ching-Wen as 赵敏, Gao Yuanyuan as 周芷若, Chen Zihan as 殷离 and Florence Tan as 小昭, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 7.8/10, Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre has been warmly received by audiences.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre page.

If you liked it. Fans of Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre tend to enjoy Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba and Attack on Titan.