Primetime Action Hero Ruru Madrid takes his career to the next level as he stars in the hard-hitting action series "Black Rider" which premieres on GMA Network on Nov. 6.

"Black Rider," the latest primetime offering of GMA Public Affairs, is an action-packed series that combines heroism, revenge, justice, and family drama in a compelling cinematic narrative.

In the latest series, Ruru is Elias Guerrero, a motorcycle driver for the delivery app Biyahero. He takes on the persona of "Black Rider," a vigilante who fights the notorious Golden Scorpion syndicate.

The Kapuso actor, known for performing his own stunts, underwent intensive training in hand combat, motocross, and martial arts specifically for Black Rider's fight choreography. He considers "Black Rider" to be a dream come true.

"Six months prior to our shooting day, nagte-training na ako. Ginagawa ko pa noon yung 'The Write One' diretso training talaga dahil ayoko sayangin ang pagkakataon na ito. Hindi po lahat ng artista nabibigyan ng pagkakataon na gumawa ng action serye," said Ruru during a grand press conference for the series on GMA Network recently.

(Six months before our shooting day, I was already training. I started training during 'The Write One' to maximize the opportunity. Not all actors are given the chance to do an action series.)

"Black Rider" promises thrilling action sequences that showcase Pinoy action, while emphasizing the importance of family love and heroism in the face of adversity. Elias' transformation from an ordinary motorcycle driver to a symbol of justice and hope for the people of Manila is bound to resonate with Filipinos.  

The Philippines has approximately 30 million motorcycle riders out of a population of 100 million, highlighting the enduring appeal of motorcycles in the country. 

Ruru, 25, said he's thrilled to be part of the full-action series.

“Excited na po ako na ibahagi sa inyo ang Black Rider – ang latest primetime offering ng GMA Public Affairs kung saan pinagsama-sama ang mga artista mula sa iba’t ibang henerasyon. Isang karangalan na makasama ko ang mga tinitingala kong artista sa napakalaking proyektong ito. Maraming salamat, GMA Network, GMA Public Affairs, at Sparkle GMA Artist Center sa pagtupad sa aking pangarap na makagawa ng isang full-action series. Ipinapangako ko sa inyo na ibubuhos ko ang lahat para sa programa na ito," he said.

(I'm excited to share Black Rider - GMA Public Affairs' latest primetime offering that brings together artists from different generations. It's an honor to work with artists I look up to in this big project. Thank you so much, GMA Network, GMA Public Affairs, and Sparkle GMA Artist Center, for fulfilling my dream of making a full-action series. I promise to dedicate everything I have to this program.)

Joining Ruru in “Black Rider” are Matteo Guidicelli, Yassi Pressman, and Katrina Halili, with the special participation of Kylie Padilla. It features an ensemble of young and seasoned actors, including iconic action stars Zoren Legaspi, Raymart Santiago, Gary Estrada, Raymond Bagatsing, Isko Moreno, Monsour del Rosario, and Roi Vinzon; as well as veteran actors Rio Locsin, Gladys Reyes, Maureen Larrazabal, and Almira Muhlach.

“It's a very nice feeling to get back, working on the craft again,” said Matteo, who portrays Paeng Policarpio, a brave policeman with a strong bond to Elias.

Yassi, who plays Vanessa "Bane" Bartolome in the series, is grateful for the chance to work with the Kapuso Network again. “It’s nice that everybody is kind, everybody is still warm. Pagdating din sa set namin, ang warm din ng mga tao."

Katrina plays Romana Tolentino, a vigilante fighting with Elias against the Golden Scorpion.

“I am happy and excited to return to primetime and this time, for a full-action drama series alongside great actors. Nag-train po kami para sa aming mga karakter sa seryeng ito kaya naman sana po ay suportahan ninyo ang Black Rider," she said.

Thumbs up to Ruru

Stars from action series and movies approve of Ruru, the newest primetime action hero.

"I'm very grateful dahil kasama natin ang magagaling artista, magaling na director, at talagang alagang-alaga nila yung mga eksena namin. Ruru is very good. I'm just grateful to be part of the action series," said Raymond.

Monsieur said: "Curious ako na makita ang mga batang artista na mag-action. Ang mga naka-eksena ko si Jon Lucas at Ruru Madrid. Naka-fight scene ko si Ruru. Tinitignan ko ang potential niya. Malaki ang potential niya para maging action star sa pelikula hindi lang sa telebisyon.

"Sinabayan niya yung mga fight scenes na ginagawa ko. Meron siyang isang eksena na hindi ko ine-expect na isa-sacrifice niya yung katawan niya. Noong sinipa ko siya ibabagsak niya yung sarili niya sa drum at sa semento na walang padding at walang kutson. Akala ko stuntman ang gagawa. Sa totoo lang mas maganda pa yung execution niya sa stuntman. Sabi ko a kanya alagaan niya yung career niya dahil malayo ang mararating niya," he also said. 

Raymart remarked:" Nakita ko ang action scenes ni Ruru at malaki ang potential niya as action star. Huwag ka rin sana magbago sa mga taong nakapaligid sa'yo."

"Kung makikita niyo sa trailer maraming hard actions scenes sa Black Rider. Kaya si Ruru siya na rin ang gumagawa at walang daya. Kami na rin ang gumagawa ng mga stunts and I guess naramdaman ni Ruru na siya rin dapat ang gagawa ng stunts niya. 'Yun ang mapapansin ninyo na walang daya ang mga stunts dito and let's welcome again the hard action flick. Yan ang mapapansin ninyo sa Black Rider," said Zoren.

Responding to the comments of his co-stars, Ruru said: "Makasama ko lang sila sa eksena masaya na ako. Dati kasi pinapanood ko lang sila sa pelikula at nangangarap talaga ako noon sa sana makagawa rin ako ng teleserye o pelikula na action. At ngayon ay nabibigyan na nga katurapan ang pangarap ko. 

"So I'm just very a naka-eksena ko sila. I promise I won't let you down in every scene na ginagawa ko and I will give you more than 100 percent hindi para i-prove yung sarili ko sa ibang tao kundi para i-prove sa sarili ko na kaya ko at deserving ako para sa role na ito," the young action star said.

Senior Program Manager John Mychal Feraren produces the series; Program Manager Gemma Gonzaga; and Executive Producers Lea Reyes, Jojo Aleta, and Tanna Delos Santos.

Comprising the creative team are Erwin Caezar Verdillo Bravo, the creator and head writer of GTV's highest-rating series of 2021, “The Lost Recipe”; John Bedia, one of the writers of “Descendants of the Sun Philippines”; Aeious Asin, one of the writers of 2022's most-watched TV series “Lolong”; and Dickson Comia, writer of some of the long-running anthologies on Philippine TV.

“Black Rider” is helmed by action director Erwin Tagle, master directors Rommel Penesa (“Lolong”) and Richard Arellano.

Catch the world premiere of “Black Rider” on Nov. 6, 8 p.m. on GMA Telebabad, with simulcast airing on Pinoy Hits and live streaming via Kapuso Stream, and a delayed telecast on GTV at 9:40 PM. Global Pinoys can watch it on GMA Pinoy TV.