The year 2011 saw Liu's further rise in popularity with two successful dramas. She starred alongside Wallace Huo in period action drama The Vigilantes In Masks, which was a ratings success and led to increased popularity for Liu. She then played the female protagonist, Ruoxi in the time travel series, Scarlet Heart, based on the novel Bu Bu Jing Xin by Tong Hua. The drama became a major sleeper hit in China, and swiftly gained popularity across East Asia. Liu, then a rising Actress, was propelled to stardom. Liu bagged several awards at local award-giving bodies for her performance, including Most Popular Actress awards at the China TV Drama Awards and Shanghai Television Festival.