1993年台視版《包青天》可謂早期各類“包公劇”中最經典、影響最廣的一部，真正將“包公劇”推向全新的熱潮。劇中由金超群飾演的鐵面無私的包青天、何家勁飾演的帥氣展昭，以及范鴻軒飾演的儒雅公孫策，三人組成的“鐵三角”給觀眾留下了深刻印象，也成為那個時代不可磨滅的記憶。《包青天》改編自中國古代名著《三俠五義》，全劇共236集，分為41個單元故事，其中經典故事橋段包括“鍘美案”、“狸貓換太子”、“真假狀元”等，至今仍為觀眾津津樂道。

值得一提的是，這版《包青天》最初並未被寄予厚望，而是作為所謂的“墊檔劇”播出。通俗來說，墊檔劇是用來填補原本應該播出的劇集無法按時開播的空檔。當時製作方最初僅拍10集，沒想到播出後立即引發熱潮，不僅在中國國內大受歡迎，也在全亞洲掀起收視狂潮。正因如此，製作方決定繼續拍攝，甚至不惜撤掉另一部原定播出的劇集，一邊拍一邊播。為了保障拍攝進度，當時同時有八組製作團隊開機，三十多位編劇幾乎全天蹲在現場撰寫劇本。前一刻剛完成劇本，下一刻就投入拍攝，整個拍攝現場輪班運作，攝影機幾乎24小時不停運轉。

如此高強度的拍攝，也讓演員承受極大壓力，每天休息時間僅約三小時。然而正是這份拼命付出，才完成了最終的236集巨作，而且這些集數竟然在一年內拍攝完成，相當於平均一天半拍一集，拍攝速度之快、製作強度之高，在當時可謂前所未有。最終的成果也讓人欣慰：該劇播出後收視率屢創新高，打破多項收視紀錄。隨後，TVB購入該劇播映權，一經播出便創下平均36點的高收視率，不僅超越了TVB自製神作《壹號皇庭》系列，還連續兩年成為年度收視冠軍，成為古裝探案劇的鼻祖，也奠定了其在華語電視劇史上的經典地位。

The 1993 Taiwan Television (TTV) version of Justice Bao stands out as one of the most classic and widely influential adaptations among early “Bao Gong” dramas, truly propelling the genre into a new era of popularity. In this series, Jin Chaoqun portrayed the incorruptible and stern Justice Bao, He Jiajin played the dashing bodyguard Zhan Zhao, and Fan Hongxuan took on the role of the cultured and elegant Gong Sunce. The trio, often referred to as the “Iron Triangle,” left a deep impression on viewers and became an indelible memory of the era. The show was adapted from the classic Chinese novel San Xia Wu Yi and spanned a total of 236 episodes divided into 41 story arcs, with some of the most iconic plots including “The Execution of the Beauties,” “The Cat Replacement of the Crown Prince,” and “The True and False Scholar.”

Interestingly, the TTV version of Justice Bao was not initially intended to be a major production; it was originally aired as a “filler series.” In simple terms, a filler series is broadcast to fill gaps when a scheduled show cannot air on time. Initially, only ten episodes were produced. To everyone’s surprise, the series became an instant hit upon its debut, capturing high viewership not only in China but across Asia, sparking a ratings frenzy. Encouraged by the success, the producers decided to continue the series, even replacing another planned show, filming and airing simultaneously. To keep up with the demanding schedule, eight production teams were working concurrently, while over thirty screenwriters stayed on set around the clock, writing scripts continuously. As soon as a script was completed, it immediately went into filming, with shooting equipment running almost 24 hours a day.

The production pace placed enormous strain on the actors, who had only about three hours of rest per day. Despite the grueling schedule, the team managed to complete all 236 episodes within a single year, averaging roughly one and a half days per episode—a feat unprecedented at the time. The dedication paid off: the series broke multiple viewership records upon release. Later, when TVB acquired the broadcasting rights, the series achieved an average rating of 36 points, surpassing TVB’s own acclaimed File of Justice series and securing the annual viewership crown for two consecutive years. The TTV version of Justice Bao thus became a pioneer of the costume detective genre and remains a seminal classic in the history of Chinese-language television dramas.