Under The Skin (2022)
A gripping Chinese crime drama where art meets investigation, following a forensic portraitist and a seasoned detective through dark, socially charged cases.
Under The Skin - Series Information
- Original Title: 猎罪图鉴
- First Air Year: 2022
- Last Air Year: 2024
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama, Mystery, Crime
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (45 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 48
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Chinese
- Spoken Languages: Mandarin
- First Air Date: March 6, 2022 (South Korea - 15)
- Networks: iQiyi, Tencent Video
- Alternative Titles: Under The Skin (US), 猎罪图鉴 2 (CN), 獵罪圖鑑 2 (TW)
- Production Companies: Linmon Pictures, Tencent Video, iQIYI 北京爱奇艺科技
- Production Countries: China
Under The Skin - Plot
Young artist Shen Yi's life changes when a commission leads to a police case gone wrong. Seven years later, he joins the Criminal Investigation Unit as a portraitist alongside Captain Du Cheng.
Under The Skin - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see what awaits in this compelling crime drama:
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Under The Skin - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Tan Jianci
- Jin Shijia
- Zhang Bojia
- Zhu Jiaqi
- Lu Yanqi
- Qin Hailu
- Zhou Yanchen
- Zheng Yunlong
- Chloe Xie
- Fang Zibin
Writers
- 张莱
- Zhang Han
- Wu Yao
- Min Zhang
- Liu Yifei
Executive Producers
- Zhang Xiaobo
Under The Skin - FAQs
What makes Under The Skin unique among crime dramas?
Under The Skin stands out by centering its investigations on a forensic portraitist rather than a detective. Shen Yi reconstructs faces and identities from fragments of evidence, bringing a rare artistic lens to criminal cases. The show weaves themes of deepfakes, plastic surgery, and human trafficking into its procedural format, making each case feel distinctly modern and unsettling.
Who are the lead actors in Under The Skin?
The series stars Tan Jianci as Shen Yi, a gifted portraitist with a troubled past, and Jin Shijia as Captain Du Cheng, the seasoned investigator who recruits him. Supporting cast includes Zhang Bojia, Zhu Jiaqi, Lu Yanqi, Qin Hailu, Zhou Yanchen, Zheng Yunlong, Chloe Xie, and Fang Zibin.
Where can you stream Under The Skin?
Under The Skin is available to stream on Rakuten Viki (with subscription or ad-supported viewing) and Tubi TV and Fawesome for free. If you prefer to own episodes, they are available for purchase on Amazon Video. Availability may vary by region.
Is Under The Skin based on a true story?
Under The Skin is not based on a single true story, but its cases draw heavily from real-world crimes and social issues prevalent in China, including fraud, human trafficking, domestic violence, school bullying, and deepfake technology. This grounding in contemporary social problems gives the series a striking sense of authenticity and urgency.
How many seasons and episodes does Under The Skin have?
Under The Skin ran for two seasons and a total of 48 episodes. Season 1, titled Under The Skin, comprised 20 episodes, while Season 2, Under The Skin II, expanded to 28 episodes. The series concluded in 2024, delivering a complete and satisfying story arc across both seasons.
How was Under The Skin received by critics and audiences?
Under The Skin earned strong praise from Chinese drama fans and international audiences alike, particularly for the compelling chemistry between Tan Jianci and Jin Shijia. Viewers celebrated its fresh premise, tight plotting, and willingness to tackle difficult social themes. It became one of the more talked-about Chinese crime dramas of its era on international streaming platforms.
What social issues does Under The Skin explore?
The series tackles a striking range of contemporary social issues, including fraud, plastic surgery identity crimes, human trafficking, domestic violence, school bullying, and the dangers of deepfake technology. Each case functions as both a gripping mystery and a pointed commentary on modern Chinese society, giving the show depth beyond standard procedural fare.
What are some shows similar to Under The Skin?
Fans of Under The Skin often enjoy other character-driven crime procedurals such as Elementary, Vigil, and Interrogation. For more Chinese drama recommendations with similar themes, Never Give Up offers comparable energy. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit is a strong pick for viewers drawn to the show's focus on social crimes and victim-centered storytelling.
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