Liu Xiaoqing to revisit imperial role as Wu Zetian

For the past few decades, actress Liu Xiaoqing has managed to stay in the media spotlight, owing to her longevity as one of China's most popular actresses, still playing roles much younger than her own age. And being a top-selling author and a business tycoon has also helped her fame grow. But the ride hasn't always been smooth as controversies about tax issues surrounding her suggest.

The legendary actress, 60, is now set to star in a new play, Wu Zetian, which is based on the life of Wu Zetian (AD 624-705), the country's only known female ruler during the later Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907), and the play will be staged at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Dec 12.

The role of queen isn't new to Liu as she has played it in the past, including in the TV shows Wu Zetian, Shadow of Empress Wu and Secret History of Empress Wu.