Chantalle Ng says playing a villain in The Little Nyonya spin-off series is coming 'full circle'

It was revealed earlier this week that iconic Mediacorp drama The Little Nyonya will be getting its own spin-off in 2025.

Emerald Hill, which also follows the trials and tribulations of a long-suffering woman in a big Peranakan family, will star a whole new cast and feature the return of Jeanette Aw's Yue Niang.

Tasha Low will play the new little Nyonya, Ah Jie Zoe Tay is the family’s matriarch and Chantalle Ng, its main antagonist.

And no one is happier than Chantalle to bag the role.

Wait, wouldn't she want to play the Little Nyonya instead?

“I auditioned for all three (female lead) roles," said Chantalle when 8days.sg reached out to her. "After the audition, I actually dreamt that I got cast as (the villain) Anna. In this story, there is a main good character, and the ‘big bad’, which I am going to be. I was so happy when I received news that I got it because I’ve been acting in a lot of girl-next-door roles, and I was hoping for something different."

The 28-year-old, who has played kind-hearted characters in dramas such My Star Bride (2021) and All That Glitters (2023), added: “I feel like this role has potential to be a breakthrough and for people to see that I can take on different roles. I really hope to do a good job."

In The Little Nyonya, Chantalle's mum, Lin Meijiao, played one of the villains. For the younger actress, she feels it's serendipitous that she got this role. 

When we ask about her mum’s reaction, Chantalle told us with a chuckle: “She was very calm. She was like 'oh wow, nice', or something like that. It was very underwhelming. I was so excited. I was jumping around and I called her from set and she was just very calm. But I’m sure she’s happy for me.”

It has always been Chantalle’s dream to act in a series like The Little Nyonya. 

“When I went to audition for Emerald Hill, I was thinking about how much it would mean to me (if I got the role). Sixteen years ago, I remember walking onto the set of (The Little Nyonya) and being amazed by their attention to detail. I would look at the beautiful tok panjang (a 'long table', or grand feast in Peranakan culture) they set up, and think to myself how interesting it would be to be in a production like that,” recalled Chantalle.

“My mum was very cool on that show. I was 12 when it was on TV. She was seated behind me and I remember crying and turning to look at her, asking 'Why! Why are you so bad!'. Now that I get to play (a villain too), it just feels like I’ve come full circle. I rewatched the series for the audition, and it’s still as captivating,” she continued.

Chantalle is also looking forward to working with close friend, Tasha.

“We’re both very happy that we’re in this show together. We heard that we have to be overseas for filming and that would be so awesome. We went on a trip to Jeju together last year, and that was just perfect,” she said, adding that filming for Emerald Hill will start "sometime in May”. 

In the meantime, like Chantalle, you can rewatch The Little Nyonya on mewatch.

This story was originally published in 8Days.