KAPAMILYA star Judy Ann Santos is poised to make her long-awaited comeback to small screen as the President of the Philippines in the upcoming series “The Bagman,” starring Ajro Atayde.
Her last TV series was the fantaserye “Starla” in 2019.
“Ngayon na lang ulit ako gumawa ng series. Nandiyan excitement, nervous, cold feet. Hindi ko alam saan ako magsisimula, I will play it by ear… Lahat bago sa akin. Ibang-iba ang production…,” Santos said in an interview during the story conference of the action-drama series.
“The Bagman” is a spin-off of the socio-political series of the same title and is co-produced by ABS-CBN International productions, REIN Entertainment, Nathan Studios, and Dreamscape Entertainment.
“I am very blessed to be given this role again. This was all unexpected. We are all doing this because we love the story, we have a very good story. I am really looking forward to working with Tita Judy Ann and John Arcilla. And I will be working with my sister Gela for the first time, as well. I didn’t even know, this was a surprise,” Atayde said.
For her part, Sylvia Sanchez, who runs Nathan Studios, said Santos as the president in the eight-part series was non-negotiable.
“Dream project ng anak ko ang makasama ang isang Judy Ann Santos. Wala kami ibang gusto makuha kung hindi ikaw lang. Walang option two. Noong nalaman na busy ka, sabi ni Arjo, ‘Gusto ko si Tita Judy Ann.’ Kasi sa ‘Esperanza,’ kinukuha ni Arjo ang script natin… Pero imbis na role ko, role ni Esperanza ang ginagaya niya. Humaharap sa salamin, ginagaya ka. Ikaw ang peg, ang inspiration. Hindi ito pwede matuloy kung hindi ikaw, kasi pinangarap ka ng anak ko. Thank you sa pagtangap mo dito,” the veteran actress told Santos at the story conference.
The actress also admitted she finds her new role is challenging.
“The pressure is really strong but it is a good thing. Kailangan harapin mga bagay na uncomfortable ka, to go out of your comfort zone and do something new,” Santos explained.
She said she was also moved to take on the role as it was one of the last projects that the late Dreamscape Entertainment head Deo Endrinal pitched to her. (ABS-CBN News)
