The most googled television show of 2018 was a period drama from China, despite the search engine being blocked there.
Google's annual search trend ratings found its users were more interested in China's Story of Yanxi Palace than any other international program.
The show has been a runaway success for iQiyi, a Chinese streaming service, where it has been viewed more than 15 billion times.
iQiyi's Story of Yanxi Palace. Source: YouTube
Set in 1700s China, it follows protagonist Wei Yingluo as she seeks revenge for the death of her sister.
Actress Wu Jinyan plays the lead, who enters a royal palace and rises in the ranks of the concubines.
The 70-episode epic, built around powers struggles and palace intrigue, has drawn comparisons to HBO's Game of Thrones.
According to Google, The Story of Yanxi Palace was searched extensively across Asia in countries like Singapore and Malaysia, but also from within China itself.
The top five most Googled TV shows in 2018. Source: Google
Lawrence Wong, an actor from the series, told the ABC in September the production value of the show played a big part in its popularity.
"Our script was really good. Our costumes were really good. The set was really good. The lighting, the actors, everything was on point," Mr Wong said.
"I think period dramas are particularly popular in China because they retain a certain culture of China that a lot of Chinese can relate to.
"Not just Chinese from China, but Chinese people all over the world. When they watch a period drama or period movie immediately they feel like, 'oh that's my culture'. It's something that all of us take pride in."
Two other non-US shows appeared in Google's 2018 top five, Thai series Love Destiny and Indian show Motu and Patlu.
