Introduction

Chantalle Ng, now 29, embarked on her acting journey as a child, inspired by her mother, renowned actress Lin Meijiao. Memories flood back to her childhood set visits during the filming of the iconic local series *The Little Nyonya* (2008), where she roamed the film set, secretly dreaming of walking in her mother's shoes.

Chantalle's Career Development

Fast forward 16 years, and Ng’s dream has beautifully unfolded—she now portrays the multifaceted antagonist, Zhang Anna, in the much-anticipated spinoff *Emerald Hill — The Little Nyonya Story*. Her excitement was palpable when she landed the role: "It felt like the stars aligned," she recounted during a recent promotion.

The Complexity of Zhang Anna

However, delving into the psyche of Zhang Anna revealed a stark contrast to Chantalle’s core values. "There were parts of Anna that I absolutely couldn't accept. She behaves sneakily and manipulates others—traits that I do not respect in real life," she explained. This internal struggle compelled her to seek guidance from scriptwriter Ang Eng Tee and executive producer Loh Woon Woon, dedicating a month to understand Anna's actions and motivations deeply.

Emerald Hill's Narrative

*Emerald Hill* encapsulates the tumultuous saga of the wealthy Zhang family faced with tragedies and conflicts. Anna's character emerges from a complex history—returning to her family at the age of 10 after being separated at birth and raised by distant relatives. Though she exudes beauty, she harbors a sinister side that complicates her relationship with her family, particularly with Zhang Xinniang, played by Tasha Low.

Portraying Anna

To navigate Anna's intricate character, Chantalle embraced advice from veteran actor Xie Shaoguang, striving to infuse layers into Anna's portrayal. “I didn’t want to present her as a straightforward villain. Every character believes they have a reason for their actions; my goal was to present her story from a perspective that evokes empathy,” she shared.

Emotional Challenges

While her mother offered input on her script after reading it, Chantalle deeply internalized Anna’s character, experiencing an emotional rollercoaster throughout filming. “At first, playing Anna was exhilarating—I found freedom in discarding the usual good-girl roles. However, as production progressed, I started feeling overwhelmed. Holding onto Anna's mentality became burdensome, and I even sought counseling support from Woon Woon,” she candidly revealed.

Reflection on the Role

The emotional toll became apparent as filming wrapped up last October, with Chantalle admitting: "I had a meltdown during an interview, realizing the emotional weight Anna carried—essentially, a lack of parental love. It was everything I wished I could tell her—that she was enough.”

Looking Forward

Now, as *Emerald Hill — The Little Nyonya Story* airs, she expresses a mix of excitement and trepidation, fearing the audience may equate her with Anna. “I just hope viewers see the distinction—I am not that character. This role represents a new facet of my craft, a substantial shift in my artistic journey,” she noted.

Conclusion

With anticipation building, *Emerald Hill — The Little Nyonya Story* is streaming now on Netflix, set to be available for free on Mewatch on March 17 and premiering on Channel 8 on March 19, every Monday to Friday at 9 PM.

This riveting tale not only showcases Chantalle’s growth as an actress but also unveils the deeper emotional struggles that often accompany the pursuit of one’s dreams. Don’t miss out on the drama; it promises to be a captivating blend of conflict, ambition, and heart-wrenching stories!