Chinese Title: 正当防卫 (Zhèng Dāng Fáng Wèi)
English Title: Justifiable Defense
Genre: Crime, Legal, Suspense, Mystery, Thriller
Episodes: 15
Director: Li Yun Liang (Judge Dee’s Mystery)
Screenwriters: Jia Dong Yan & Wu Yao
Production Companies: iQIYI, CMG, CCTV
Original Platform / Networks: iQIYI, CMG, CCTV
First Aired: July 9th, 2025
Final Episode: July 15th, 2025
Running Time: 45 minutes per episode
Plot Synopsis
Justifiable Defense is a gripping crime-legal thriller that examines the complexity of justice, morality, and the law through interconnected cases spanning fourteen years. The story begins when senior prosecutor Duan Hongshan mysteriously turns himself in during a rainstorm, raising questions about why a seasoned prosecutor would suddenly place himself in the defendant’s seat.
Assigned to investigate a domestic abuse homicide case in which a woman is accused of killing her husband in self-defense, Duan teams up with young prosecutor Fang Lingyuan. As they dig deeper, they uncover surprising links to a “campus excessive self-defense case” from fourteen years ago, involving individuals whose fates have long been shadowed by legal ambiguity.
Guided by facts, the rule of law, and moral consideration, the duo walks the fine line between justification and culpability, navigating emotional testimony, legal precedent, and societal expectations to deliver fair and accurate legal conclusions.
Main Cast & Characters
Lead Cast
- Gao Ye as Fang Lingyuan
- Edward Zhang) as Duan Hongshan
- Bai Jing Ting as Li Mu Feng
Supporting Cast
- Zhang Xinyi as Lei Shuang
- Zhang Bo Jia as Mei Zheng
- Ye Qing as Jiang Ting
- Niu Zifan as Zhang Yuan
- Zeng Ke Lang as Ding Yi
- Ju Ke Er as Liu Shao Lan
- Chun Yu Shan Shan as Zhou De Long
Production Details
Production Timeline:
Filming took place in 2023, with the series completed by late 2023 and secured its broadcast license in April 2025 after scheduling adjustments.
The drama’s release was strategically scheduled for July 2025 across multiple platforms including iQIYI, CCTV, and CMG, positioning it as one of the summer’s standout legal suspense dramas.
Episodes & Airing
- Total Episodes: 15
- Episode Length: 45 minutes
- Original Broadcast Run: July 9th – July 15th, 2025
- Original Platforms:
- iQIYI (domestic streaming)
- CMG (China Media Group)
- CCTV (China Central Television)
All episodes were released in a tight schedule, allowing viewers to follow the legal thriller as cases unfolded and interconnected past and present investigations.
Where to Watch
China:
- iQIYI — Official domestic streaming platform where the series premiered and is available to watch with official subtitles.
International Platforms:
- iQIYI – With subtitles in various languages.
Why It’s Worth Watching
- Legal & Moral Depth: The drama explores complex real-world legal issues like self-defense and the boundaries of law and morality, inviting audiences to think critically about justice.
- Interwoven Case Structure: By linking a modern case to a 14-year-old legal precedent, Justifiable Defense creates layered storytelling that keeps viewers engaged with both suspense and reflection.
- Strong Performances: Acclaimed performers Gao Ye, Zhang Luyi, and Bai Jing Ting bring nuance and intensity to characters grappling with ethical dilemmas and legal complexity.
- Tight Pacing: With just 15 episodes, the series delivers a concise yet powerful narrative arc that balances courtroom drama with human emotion.
- Relevant Themes: By addressing domestic abuse, school violence, and the interpretation of justifiable defense in modern law, the series resonates with social relevance beyond traditional legal thrillers.
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