Northward Cast & Character Guide (with Photos)

Bai Lu as Xia Fenghua

Xia Fenghua, nicknamed "Little Sun of Flower Street," is a spirited and determined young woman. Early on, she presents as a tomboyish figure, known for her darker skin and braces – earning her the additional moniker "dark-skinned and steel-toothed." But beneath this tough exterior lies a warm, sensitive, and fiercely loyal heart. Xia Fenghua is unafraid to love, hate, take risks, and strive for her goals.

She faces life's challenges with unwavering optimism. The series follows her journey of growth, showcasing her evolution from a naive student to a street-smart, savvy entrepreneur. Xia Fenghua embodies resilience and becomes a relatable figure, representing the experiences of contemporary women entrepreneurs in China. She eventually enters the logistics industry, becoming the head of an express delivery station. Xia Fenghua is a character who experiences significant change and development throughout the early and later stages of the story. Bai Lu was the first choice for this role.

Tu Ling as Li Yan

Li Yan is the spirited and warm-hearted mother of Xia Fenghua. With a vibrant and energetic personality, she's the backbone of the Xia household. Though possessing a fiery can do attitude, Li Yan has a soft heart. She's a skilled homemaker, managing the family's affairs with both wisdom and hard work. Li Yan brings warmth and laughter to her family, creating a loving and well-organized home.

Ou Hao as Xie Wanghe

Xie Wanghe, portrayed by Ou Hao, is the heart and soul of his group of friends. While he might come across as a mischievous and unruly young man, beneath the surface lies a character of remarkable strength, loyalty, and courage. He is also described as having a "Jianghu Qi", best translated as a "Rogue Charisma".

Growing up alongside Xia Fenghua and other companions, Xie Wanghe eventually embarks on a journey of ambition and adventure, heading north to seek his fortune. He later returns to his hometown. He becomes actively involved in preserving the cultural heritage of the Grand Canal. He and Xia Fenghua grew up together and are childhood sweethearts.

Chu Shuanzhong as Xia Maotian

In the drama Northward, Xia Maotian is the father of Xia Fenghua. A simple and honest man, Maotian has spent most of his life along the Grand Canal. He's a pillar of strength for his family, known for his integrity, diligence, and down-to-earth nature. He embodies traditional values, working tirelessly to provide a warm and loving home for his family.

Zhai Zilu as Shao Xingchi

Shao Xingchi, a spirited and optimistic young man, is known as the resident "troublemaker" of Flower Street. He approaches life with a cheerful, freewheeling attitude, always managing to inject a bit of vibrancy into the everyday. Although his entrepreneurial endeavors, including a failed attempt to open a ship repair shop, have been marked by setbacks, Xingchi's resilience shines through. With the support of his friends, he rediscovers his path and comes to a deeper understanding of his life's purpose and value. He embodies a free spirit.

Gao Zhiting as Zhou Haikuo

Zhou Haikuo is the dependable and warm-hearted guy everyone relies on. Known for his calm demeanor and responsible nature, he's the rock of his friend group. After returning to his hometown, Haikuo takes over his father's restaurant, "Canal Family," transforming it into a charming folk hotel. He also establishes a small museum to showcase artifacts and celebrate the rich culture of the Grand Canal. With the canal's successful application as a UNESCO World Heritage site, his museum becomes a significant local cultural landmark.

Hu Jun as Xie Tiancheng

Xie Tiancheng is the father of Xie Wanghe. He is a visionary and responsible man. He once spearheaded an initiative among five families to pool their resources and purchase a larger boat, aiming to lead everyone towards shared prosperity. He represents a proactive approach to community improvement and economic advancement.

Vanda Margraf as Ma Siyi

Ma Siyi is a gentle and filial young woman with a naturally sensitive and perceptive nature. She acts as the emotional core of her group of friends. Her early life is marked by hardship and tragedy, including the loss and disappearance of loved ones. She is introduced in the summer of 2000, when at the age of 10, she arrives at Flower Street.

As she matures, Siyi eventually discovers the descendants of her brother, Ma Fude, and inherits a substantial fortune, achieving financial independence. Ultimately, she returns to her hometown alongside Chen Rui, where they help their friends overcome various crises and build stable lives.

Qi Huan as Liang Haihong

Liang Haihong is the mother of Xie Wanghe. She's the steadfast rock of her family, embodying both resilience and unwavering determination. Haihong faces life's many difficulties and challenges head-on, always responding with strength and resolve. She is a warm and loving presence, providing a safe harbor for her family and guiding them through the passage of time. She is presented as a pillar of strength within the household.

Liu Hengfu as Chen Rui

Chen Rui, a standout student from Flower Street, is known for his quiet and refined demeanor. He is the top of his class. While he may appear reserved, Chen Rui is a reliable friend who consistently steps up when his companions face challenges. He's the kind of person who doesn't back down from a challenge. He and Ma Siyi return to their hometown, embarking on a new chapter of life where they build a life and navigate their shared future together.

Yue Yang as Shao Bingyi

Shao Bingyi is the father of Shao Xingchi. He is initially hesitant and critical of Xie Tiancheng's ambitious plans to expand the family business by upgrading their boats. Despite his reservations and outspoken concerns, Shao Bingyi ultimately joins the venture.

Liu Min as Liu Yuling

Liu Yuling is a middle-aged woman defined by her gentle nature and remarkable forbearance. She embodies the quiet strength of a woman dedicated to her family, even amidst considerable hardship. Her husband, Shao Bingyi, struggles with the pressures of work and life's disappointments, leading him down a path of increasing anger and alcohol dependence. Throughout this turmoil, Yuling remains the bedrock of the family, holding everything together with unwavering patience and resilience. She is a central figure in the family's conflicts, and her story reflects both the traditional responsibilities placed upon women and the quiet, enduring strength many women demonstrate within challenging marriages. Yuling's stoicism highlights not only a sense of duty but also the difficult realities and resilience often found within the dynamics of a family.

Wang Xueqi as Zhou Yipu

Zhou Yipu is the grandfather of Zhou Haikuo, and is portrayed as a man of great wisdom and a cheerful disposition. He serves as a living link to the past, having witnessed firsthand the evolution of his family and the profound societal shifts occurring along the Grand Canal. Zhou Yipu's life experiences and insights deeply influence the younger generations, offering them guidance and perspective.

Li Naiwen as Zhou Yanlin

Zhou Yanlin is the father of Zhou Haikuo. He is a man of principle, navigating both his family life and career with a strong sense of conviction and his own unique approach.

Tong Lei as Luo Zhimei

Luo Zhimei is the mother of Zhou Haikuo. She's a woman with dreams and the courage to pursue them. Luo Zhimei is portrayed navigating the ups and downs of life alongside the rest of the Zhou family, striving to find a balance between her personal aspirations and her family life.

Sarina as Grandma Ma

Grandma Ma is the kind, compassionate, and loving grandmother of Ma Siyi. She is a warm-hearted elderly woman who provides a safe and nurturing home for Siyi, with whom she lives. Grandma Ma is depicted as a pillar of support and a source of unconditional love in Siyi’s life, offering her a secure and stable environment.

Liu Weiwei as Gu Alian

Gu Alian is the mother of Chen Rui. A strong and assertive woman, Gu Alian has very specific expectations and demands for her son. She is often the dominant force within the family, showcasing a shrewd and formidable personality. She's the kind of mother who takes charge and isn't afraid to assert her opinions, reflecting a powerful presence in the household dynamic.

Zhu Tie as Chen Bo

Chen Bo is the father of Chen Rui in the drama Northward. He's a man of quiet strength and a somewhat understated personality, often described as having a "dull" or less perceptive nature. However, this characteristic allows him to balance the more forceful personality of his wife, Gu Alian. He provides a stable presence, offering support and care to his family in his own way. He complements his wife's strong will, creating a harmonious dynamic within the household.