Confirmed: Nothing But Thirty 2 is Happening! Tong Yao Reveals Details After Long Delay

After a long and confusing silence, Tong Yao herself has confirmed it: the sequel to the smash-hit drama Nothing But Thirty is officially back on track and expected to begin filming in 2026!

For fans who have followed this journey, it's been a bit of a rollercoaster. To understand why this new confirmation is so significant, let's look at the full story.

The Original Hope: The 2023 Announcements

The excitement began back in July 2023, when production company Linmon Pictures officially announced that a sequel was in the works, even providing a detailed plot summary.

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Translation:
So exciting! Linmon Media brings good news! #NothingButThirty2OfficiallyAnnounced!
After experiencing great ups and downs and a period of soul-searching in the mountains, Gu Jia arrives in Shenzhen by a twist of fate. Knocking on the door of a villa, she begins a new career as a household manager. As "Sister Gu" becomes her true self, she embarks on a bold and brand-new life in an unfamiliar city.
Gu Jia's new employer Jiang Lili is a straightforward and proud woman who has just endured the darkest moment of her life. With Gu Jia's arrival, this pair of employer and employee moves from mutual wariness to trust and empathy. Together, they navigate a bizarre and newly upgraded social circle, joining forces to take on life's challenges.
At the age of 35, these women—who were once just supporting players in other people's lives—get a chance for a fresh start. Supporting each other, they find the confidence to stand firm and establish their own innovative household management company, determined to become the masters of their own lives.
What kind of life and career challenges will they face this time?

The hope grew even stronger on December 7, 2023, when Linmon included Nothing But Thirty 2 in their official 2024 drama slate.

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This came with a new poster and more concrete details.

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Key Details Revealed:

• The Team: original director, Zhang Xiaobo, and scriptwriter, Zhang Yingji, were confirmed to be returning.
• A Five-Year Time Jump: The story would pick up when Gu Jia is 35.
• A Filming Date: Production was slated to begin in Q3 2024.
• Episode Count: A 40-episode series was planned.. 

As a fan, I was excited. With the original creative team and a firm filming schedule, it seemed like a sure thing.

But then... silence. Q3 2024 came and went with no news. There was no casting announcement, and most importantly, no official word from Tong Yao. It was easy to assume the project had been quietly abandoned, and I adopted a "wait and see" attitude.

The Confirmation: Tong Yao Breaks the Silence

Tong Yao at a Shanghai TV Festival Press Conference

Everything changed on June 25, 2025. Tong Yao, serving as a prestigious jury member for the 30th Magnolia Awards, finally addressed the sequel during the official Jury Press Session.

In this clip, which I've translated and subtitled, she not only confirms the project is still alive but that she is attached to it. This is the definitive proof that I've been waiting for!

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While it always made business sense for Tong Yao to return—Gu Jia was the show's most discussed character, and it won Tong Yao a Best Actress Magnolia Award—I needed official confirmation before writing about it. And here it is.

What About Wang Manni and Zhong Xiaoqin?

The official synopsis focuses solely on Gu Jia and a new character, Jiang Lili. This strongly suggests that Jiang Shuying (Wang Manni) and Mao Xiaotong (Zhong Xiaoqin) are not part of this direct sequel.

While this may be disappointing for some, it makes narrative sense. The three friends had parted ways to forge new paths at the end of Season 1, and forcing a reunion could feel unnatural.

I personally think that if this sequel is a success, it could encourage Linmon to create a "Nothing But Thirty Universe," perhaps giving Wang Manni and Zhong Xiaoqin their own sequels, as I'm sure their characters have their own compelling stories to tell.

Final Thoughts: My Hopes and Fears

As a huge fan of Tong Yao and Gu Jia, this news is both thrilling and a little scary. Sequels always run the risk of not living up to their predecessors. My hope is that they will not only be able to create the same magic but even surpass it.

Tong Yao's outfit at the opening ceremony of the Shanghai TV Festival

If you're curious about the rest of Tong Yao’s work, I'm creating a complete guide to her filmography. It's my passion project filled with my personal reviews, character deep-dives, and links to detailed posts like this one and more. It’s a work in progress, but I invite you to take a look: Tong Yao Film & TV Guide for Fans.