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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Celebrities devider Judy Ann Santos and John Arcilla join Arjo Atayde in int'l series 'The Bagman'

Judy Ann Santos and John Arcilla join Arjo Atayde in int'l series 'The Bagman'

To be presented at the Asia TV Forum (ATF) market in Singapore

Published Nov 30, 2023 03:05 pm

At A Glance

  • "The Bagman" will serve as a major comeback of Judy Ann who won Best Actress at the 41st Cairo International Film Festival.

THE BAGMAN 1.jpg

Award-winning Kapamilya actors Judy Ann Santos and John Arcilla will be part of “The Bagman,” a spin-off from the critically acclaimed digital series “Bagman" starring Arjo Atayde, which will be co-produced by ABS-CBN International Productions, Nathan Studios, Rein Entertainment, and Dreamscape Entertainment.

Set to be an eight-part action drama, "The Bagman" aims to commence its production in January 2024 and secure pre-sales at the Asia TV Forum (ATF) market in Singapore with 2020 Asian Academy Creative Awards Best Actor Arjo Atayde gracing the event.

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Judy Ann Santos

"The Bagman" will serve as a major comeback of Judy Ann who won Best Actress at the 41st Cairo International Film Festival. She was last seen in the 2019 Kapamilya primetime series, "Starla."

Meanwhile, "The Bagman" will be John's first international series after his historic win as the first Filipino that was hailed as Best Actor at the 78th Venice Film Festival. 

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John Arcilla

Director Ruel S. Bayani, head of ABS-CBN International Productions, shared that they are 'thrilled' to have both Judy Ann and John on board. “As we continue to advocate for Filipino representation, we are thrilled to also be announcing the award-winning talent of Arjo, John, and Judy Ann who are now part of The Bagman,” Direk Ruel said in a statement.

Direk Ruel also emphasized ABS-CBN's commitment to champion Filipino stories on the global stage with "The Bagman." “Filipino programming is continuing to grow and expand, and we are honored to be at the forefront in offering diverse new projects to meet the growing demands of the industry,” he said.

ARJO 1.jpg
Arjo Atayde

Arjo is set to reprise his role as Benjo Malaya, a neighborhood barber turned governor's henchman, entangled in a perilous web of crime, corruption, and political turmoil.  In “The Bagman,” Benjo discovers the tragic news of his missing family, compelling him to re-enter the underworld he had abandoned. Tasked as a bagman for the sitting president of the Republic of the Philippines, Benjo embarks on a mission to avert an impending civil war.

"The Bagman" will be ABS-CBN's second international series after "Cattleya Killer," which also starred Arjo and debuted on the top spot of Prime Video Philippines' most watched list.

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