[Photo provided to China Daily]

Dou had studied under famous Peking Opera actresses such as Du Jinfang and Li Weikang at the National Academy of Chinese Theater Arts.

The 30-year-old says that He Saifei, who plays the role of Yang in the TV drama, inspires her.

"She has a strong personality. She guards her love and endures lots of pressure from the big family. In the end, she almost goes crazy but she still loves Bai," says Dou.

Li says that the average age of the team is about 27, which means that the Peking Opera version of The Grand Mansion Gate has a young feel.

"Making the ancient art popular with the young is what I have always dreamed of," she says.