The Long Season (2023)
A haunting Chinese crime drama unraveling a 1998 murder mystery across two decades of grief, loss, and buried secrets in a fading industrial town.
The Long Season - Series Information
- Original Title: 漫长的季节
- First Air Year: 2023
- Last Air Year: 2023
- Created by: Xin Shuang
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Crime, Drama, Mystery
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (67 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 12
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Chinese
- Spoken Languages: Mandarin
- First Air Date: April 22, 2023 (Canada - 14+)
- Networks: Tencent Video
- Alternative Titles: The.Long.Season (US), 漫长的季节 (CN)
- Production Companies: Tencent Penguin Pictures
- Production Countries: China
The Long Season - Plot
The 12-episode series follows Wang Xiang, an ex-train driver who had worked his whole life at the steel plant in a fictional small town in North China, as he attempts to solve the mystery behind a brutal murder during the autumn of 1998. For more than 20 years, the murder has haunted him and other people who worked at the steel plant as they struggled to come to terms with the loss they've experienced.
The Long Season - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a first look at this acclaimed mystery:
Look ahead, don't look back.
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The Long Season - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Xin Shuang
Main Cast
- Ren Suxi
- Zhang Jingchu
- Fan Wei
- Qin Hao
- Chen Minghao
- Li Gengxi
- Liu Yitie
- Jiang Qiming
- Liu Lin
- Shi Pengyuan
Writers
- Yu Xiaoqian
- Chen Ji
- Pan Yiran
The Long Season - FAQs
Where can you stream The Long Season?
The Long Season is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Prime Video with Ads. You can also purchase individual episodes or the full season on Amazon Video. For free viewing with ads, Tubi TV also carries the series.
What makes The Long Season's storytelling structure unique?
The series weaves together two timelines — the autumn of 1998 when the murder occurred and the present day — allowing viewers to experience the mystery from multiple perspectives simultaneously. This dual-timeline structure creates a slow-burn tension that gradually reveals how the tragedy reshaped every character's life.
Who are the main actors in The Long Season?
The ensemble cast is led by Fan Wei as Wang Xiang, the haunted ex-train driver at the story's heart. He's joined by Ren Suxi as Sister Xu, Qin Hao as Gong Biao, Zhang Jingchu as the adult Shen Mo, Chen Minghao as Ma Desheng, Liu Lin as Li Qiaoyun, and Li Gengxi as the young Shen Mo.
Is The Long Season worth watching?
Widely considered one of the finest Chinese dramas in recent memory, The Long Season earned exceptional critical and audience acclaim upon release. Fan Wei's deeply nuanced performance anchors a richly layered narrative about grief, industrial decline, and the weight of unsolved trauma — a rare slow-burn thriller that rewards patient viewers.
What is The Long Season about?
Set in a fictional North Chinese steel town, the series follows Wang Xiang, a retired train driver still haunted by a brutal murder from the autumn of 1998. Over two decades later, he and former colleagues from the steel plant are drawn back into the case, confronting unresolved grief and long-buried secrets.
How many episodes does The Long Season have?
The Long Season consists of 12 episodes across a single season, with each episode running an average of 67 minutes. The series concluded in 2023 and is a complete, self-contained story with no open-ended cliffhanger.
Did The Long Season win any awards?
The Long Season received widespread recognition in China and internationally. It swept multiple categories at the 2023 Magnolia Awards and earned nominations at the Asian Television Awards. Fan Wei's performance as Wang Xiang was particularly celebrated, earning him best actor honors at several major Chinese television ceremonies.
What are shows similar to The Long Season?
If The Long Season hooked you, try Death and Other Details for its sharp mystery plotting, or Cradle to Grave for its gritty crime atmosphere. For editorial picks in a similar vein, Murder in a Small Town and High Potential offer compelling investigative storytelling with strong character work.
More About The Long Season
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