In the autumn of 2014, Ren Zhonglun (任仲伦), the CEO of Shanghai Film Group, hired Ma Jihong (马继红) to write the script for the series. On January 6, 2015, Zhou Xuzhou (周旭洲), the CEO of Hong Kong Yuye Group, signed a 15 million yuan investment agreement and also sponsored 2 million yuan in his own name.[7] In December 2014, Song Yeming (Charging Out Amazon) was signed to direct the series.[8]
Dong Yong was cast as the lead role Peng Dehuai, he said in an interview: "My parents once took part in the Korean War (1950-1953), they have deep feelings about Peng Dehuai.[9] It is the first time that I play a great man, and it is both pressure and motivation for myself."[9] Before playing Peng Dehuai, he read 11 biographies of Peng.[7][10]
Marshal Peng Dehuai was broadcast on CCTV-1 in May 2016.
The series received mainly positive reviews.[14][15][16] Kong Li (孔鲤) of thepaper said: "The series shaped a flesh and blood hero: Peng Dehuai".[17]Li Zhun, a Mao Dun Literary Prize laureate, said: "This is a breakthrough success in the creation of Peng Dehuai's film and TV dramas, and it is an important harvest for the creation of the major historical revolution."[7] Zhong Chengxiang (仲呈祥), the former vice president of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles (CFLAC) said: "This work completely reproduces the artistic image of Marshal Peng Dehuai in front of today's audience."[7]