Still shots from the upcoming Chinese television drama "Stories of an Old Town" ("Gucheng Wangshi"). [sina.com.cn]

Filming has started on the new television drama series "Stories of an Old Town" ("Gucheng Wangshi") at the Hengdian World Studios in eastern China's Zhejiang Province, Sina.com.cn reports.

The series stars actor Xing Jiadong as a wartime doctor. The role is a departure from the one Xing played in his previous television drama "Soldiers Sortie" in which he was a special-forces wannabe who competes in an elimination contest and breaks his leg.

The new drama begins in the 1920s and revolves around Mu Tian'en (Xing Jiadong), who devotes himself to saving lives during a war with the support and love of his wife Gu Xiumei, played by Michelle Ye.

Adapted from Lin Zhe's novel "Grandma's Old Town," the drama is a discussion of love, loyalty and beliefs, Sina.com.cn reports.

The cast also includes Chen Shu and Fang Zichun. Xia Gang is the director.

Xing Jiadong rose to fame in "Soldiers Sortie", an all-male TV series that swept China by storm in 2007. Michelle Ye is known for her roles in movies including "Accident," which was nominated for Golden Lion at this year's Venice International Film Festival.