'The Sheep Detectives' Chinese cast reflects on life's bigger questions

The Chinese actors behind the dubbed version of "The Sheep Detectives" said the film left them thinking about life's bigger questions at the Beijing premiere on May 10.

Actors Sha Yi, Ma Sichun and Tudou pose for a photo at the premiere of "The Sheep Detectives" in Beijing, May 10, 2026. [Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures Entertainment]

Directed by Kyle Balda and starring Hugh Jackman, the film follows a flock of sheep who listen to their shepherd George read murder mysteries each night. When George is found dead, the flock sets out to solve the crime themselves.

The film is based on Leonie Swann's 2005 German-language bestseller "Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Story," which has been translated into English and more than 30 other languages. The story blends whimsy, murder, detective work and anthropomorphic sheep.

Actor Ma Sichun voices detective sheep Lily in the Chinese version. Ma said her character embodies both strength and vulnerability, and that Lily's transformation teaches audiences to forgive themselves for not being perfect.

"No matter how painful or lost you feel, choose to remember and then move forward on your own 'hooves'," she said. Ma described "The Sheep Detectives" as a suspense film "with warmth, joy and emotion."

Actor Sha Yi voices Sebastian, a gruff but good-hearted black sheep. Drawing on the character, Sha encouraged audiences not to rush into seeking recognition, saying the process matters most. "Confusion is sometimes part of growth," he said.

Comedian Guo Hongze, also known as Tudou, voices Wool-Eyes, a shaggy sheep with a remarkable nose for clues. Guo said that unlike Wool-Eyes, he is prone to anxiety and overthinking, and admires the character's recklessly confident nature. He added that being muddled can be a form of wisdom.

"The truth often hides in many places. We need different eyes and perspectives to find it," he said.

TV host Chen Luyu and writer Xu Zhiyuan also lent their voices to the film for the first time. Chen said it had the feel of a traditional detective movie, like "Babe" meets Agatha Christie, and was suitable for all ages.

"It not only has constant twists but also makes you think about the big and small questions we face in life: how to face love, death and separation, how to remember, when to forget, how to step out of your comfort zone and how to be braver," she said.

Xu said the film moved him deeply."The way the sheep deal with outsiders and a new world shows us courage, loyalty, righteousness and a reflection on prejudice, which I found very touching," he said.

Producer Lindsay Doran first heard the idea for "The Sheep Detectives" 19 years ago from her doctor. After reading Swann's novel, she called her friend, screenwriter Craig Mazin, who agreed to the project immediately.

With development moving forward, Mazin immersed himself in the genre, reading Agatha Christie and other mystery writers to work out the structure and pacing of a proper whodunit. He and Doran then layered in the most distinctive elements of the source material, shaping it into a film that resonates across generations.

Best known for his work on the "Minions" films, "Despicable Me 3" and various Pixar productions, director Balda said he was eager to take on a live-action project with such emotional depth.

"I love stories about misfits trying to overcome the odds, and 'The Sheep Detectives' is exactly that," he said. "Watching these sheep fumble their way through solving a mystery that's far beyond them while staying true to who they are was something I immediately connected with."

For the role of George, the creative team turned to Hugh Jackman, believing he had a unique ability to project both strength and emotional weight.

Jackman found the script heartwarming and compelling, saying it made him cry three times. He said yes by page 25.

"Craig wrote such a beautiful script, and I knew that in Kyle's hands it would become something truly special — heartwarming, funny and unique," Jackman said. "Comedy without heart isn't satisfying — it wears thin. This story is full of heart. That's what audiences want: to be moved, to be surprised, to be transported."

The film hit screens in China on May 16.