Anthony Wong as Tang emperor Xuanzong in the historical TV series "Secret Anecdotes of Yang Guifei" [Photo: yule.sohu.com]

Award-winning Hong Kong actor Anthony Wong, who stars in the new TV series "Secret Anecdotes of Yang Guifei", has lambasted the drama's production team and called the crew "laymen," the Shanghai Morning Post reports.

"They were not professional at all," Wong was quoted as saying. "The shooting process was a mess. I've never met a production team this bad. They were all laymen. They didn't know anything."

Wong blamed the crew for injuring Tse Kwan-Ho, another cast member whose face was burned during a fire scene. He also said the extras hired for the set only took photos and "ruined the acting atmosphere."

You Xiaogang, director of "Secret Anecdotes of Yang Guifei", said Wong had a "bad mouth." He did not comment on Tse's injury, except to say that the actor "recovered a long time ago."

Wong is known for his roles in "Internal Affairs" and "Initial D". He won the Best Supporting Actor award for both films at the Hong Kong Film Awards.

"Secret Anecdotes of Yang Guifei" is You's take on the legendary life of Yang Yuhuan, also known as Yang Guifei, the beloved consort of Tang Dynasty Emperor Xuanzong. Wong plays the emperor with mainland actress Yin Tao as Yang Guifei. Other cast members include Shi Xiaoqun, Wang Luoyong and Michelle Ye.

You Xiaogang said the drama would not only be a chronicle of Guifei's life, but also a panorama of the flamboyant Tang art culture.

The TV series is in its post-production phase. An airing date has yet to be announced.