“Darna! Lilipad na!”
The cast of Darna the TV Series were finally revealed today, October 5, via live streaming at the ABS-CBN shortstage in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.
Darna was originally supposed to be a movie starring Angel Locsin under the direction of Erik Matti. Angel donned the iconic costume in 2005. But the actress did not pursue the project due to health reason while Matti quit the project due to creative differences.
In 2017, Liza Soberano was announced as the new Darna but had to withdraw after suffering a finger injury in an accident on the set of her teleserye “Bagani” at that time.
Direk Jerrol Tarog was set to direct the Darna movie but also left the project in January 2021 due to scheduling conflicts.
Jane de Leon was then chosen to play the iconic role in 2019. They had already shot a few scenes before it was announced that the movie had been postponed indefinitely.
Again, ABS-CBN announced in December 2020 that the project will push through as a TV series instead of a movie.
On October 4, ABS-CBN announced that the new director for the upcoming Pinoy superhero TV series would be award-winning and critically-acclaimed Director Chito Roño along with Director Avel Sunpongco.
Jane de Leon, 23, an actress, singer and model, will be the Pinoy Superheroine Darna/Narda in the TV Series.
The series cast include Joshua Garcia as Brian Samonte Robles; Zaijian Jaranillas as Ricardo “Ding” Custodio; and, Iza Calzado as Leonor Custodio, the Darna who will pass on the magical stone to Narda to become Darna.
Also in the cast are Kiko Estrada, her leading man; Rio Locsin; Richard Quan; Simon Ibarra; Marvin Yap; Zeppi Borromeo; Yogo Singh; L.A. Santos; Young JV; Mark Manicad; Joj Agpangan; and, Levi Ignacio.
Darna the TV Series will be produced by ABS-CBN JRV Creative Production. Shooting for the much-awaited adaption of the Philippines’ iconic superheroine for TV will begin on November 2021.
