Director Tan Jiayan described his new series, "Sandstorm," as both a gripping suspense drama and a social cautionary tale, exploring how choices made in times of hardship ultimately shape people's destinies.

A poster for "Sandstorm." [Image courtesy of Youku]

"After reading the script, I found it brilliant and deeply literary, exploring the relationships between people and their environment, and between individuals and fate," Tan said. "This is truly a great story."

"Sandstorm," directed by Tan and written by Zhao Dongling, stars Duan Yihong, Wang Qiang, Zhang Jianing and Zhang Yao. The online series, which premiered on Youku on March 28, follows two detectives – one a seasoned veteran, the other a young newcomer – as they reopen an 8-year-old murder case, risking everything to expose the truth.

At a March 24 preview, screenwriter Zhao revealed the show was inspired by a prosecutor’s account of a disturbing case. The image of a charred body retrieved from an industrial boiler became the foundation for the story that examines the human condition under extreme circumstances.

Tan highlighted Zhao's admiration for the American series "Fargo," which influenced her storytelling style. He also reflected on the symbolic significance of the series' title: "It suggests how a sandstorm engulfs everything, including the complexities of human nature, leaving it all trapped in the tempest."

Set in a small town, "Sandstorm" delves into universal tensions that echo through communities across China. Praised for its suspense and intensity, the series reveals how a close-knit frontier community hides connections that link seemingly unrelated lives with dramatic consequences.

"We repeatedly discussed the series' core theme, which is how the environment shapes people's lives," Tan said. "Here, we see some striving to leave this town, while others are forced to stay. Once this theme crystallized, we realized that a desert town would be the ideal setting."

The cast and crew of "Sandstorm" ventured deep into the deserts, working in harsh conditions and using a documentary-style approach to capture the region's essence. The landscape also sharpens the series’ core tensions: light and darkness, secrets and truth, sin and redemption. The rugged landscape is a character in its own right, grounding the story and heightening its emotional depth.

The script went through multiple revisions as the team worked to develop each character's arc, including creating a character who writes a book titled "Sandstorm" in the series. "In this small town, some yearn to leave, others choose to stay, and some are forced to remain. These are all ordinary people living on society's margins. Once we understood each character's psychological motivations, their choices and destinies naturally fell into place," Tan explained.

Tan was particularly struck by the lead role of a veteran policeman, played by Duan Yihong. The character originally planned to leave the town but is forced to stay due to unforeseen circumstances. Burdened by guilt and self-reproach over his mentor's fate, he opts for self-exile, working at a prairie police station. Years later, when the murder case is reopened, he returns to confront his past and uncover new truths.

"What's remarkable about Duan Yihong is that, despite playing many iconic police roles throughout his career, his character in 'Sandstorm' is entirely unique – a new archetype unlike anything he's done before. For an actor to consistently reinvent the same profession with such breakthroughs isn't just surprising; it's extraordinary," Tan said.

The cast and crew of "Sandstorm" pose for a photo with the audience at a preview event in Beijing, March 24, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Youku]

In just 12 episodes, "Sandstorm" weaves together two cases spanning eight years while delving into multiple character arcs, each with fully developed stories.

Tan stressed the importance of realist storytelling throughout the creative process. "At its core, realism explores human nature and interpersonal dynamics," Tan said. "Works grounded in realism share a universal truth: They depict a world where characters act according to their own logic and perspectives."

Screenwriter Zhao revealed that the story took three years to perfect, from concept to final script. She credited Tan's analytical rigor for strengthening the narrative’s logic and the cast for bringing emotional depth to their roles.

"Ultimately, tragedy should be more than a puzzle to solve – it ought to function as a mirror that reflects both our era and human nature," Zhao said. "I hope 'Sandstorm' can serve as that mirror, allowing viewers to see, even after the dust settles, the people caught in the currents of time still struggling to find their way."