Will Marian Rivera ever jump ship to ABS-CBN?
Published Apr 5, 2026 07:18 am
Every few years, like clockwork, the rumor resurfaces: Is GMA Network’s Primetime Queen Marian Rivera finally making the move to rival network ABS-CBN?
Adding to the excitement, reports suggest Marian and her husband, Dingdong Dantes, will star together in an upcoming family drama produced by Star Cinema, slated for release in 2026. The still-untitled project follows the success of their 2023 film, "Rewind," also produced by Star Cinema, which became the highest-grossing Filipino movie of all time.
The transfer rumor has followed the beloved Kapuso star for well over a decade—one she has repeatedly and firmly put to rest.
Marian Rivera (Images courtesy of Facebook)
The transfer chatter is nothing new. As far back as 2010, speculation was already swirling that Marian might be lured away from GMA-7 by the Kapamilya network. Then in 2013, the rumors flared up again when her contract with GMA was reportedly nearing expiration. At the time, reports suggested she was considering both ABS-CBN and TV5.
But Marian has never wavered in her answer. When pressed on the issue, she has been blunt and decisive: “Hindi ako lilipat dahil masaya ako bilang Kapuso.” (I will not transfer because I am happy being a Kapuso.) She has cited the network’s unwavering support and the abundance of projects as reasons she sees no reason to leave.
Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes
Marian has built her entire career under the GMA banner. From her breakout role in the iconic teleserye MariMar in 2007, to her portrayal of the beloved superhero "Darna," to her long run as host of the drama anthology "Tadhana," GMA Network has been her home through every chapter of her stardom.
Her loyalty has not gone unrewarded. In 2024, she made a celebrated television comeback with "My Guardian Alien" alongside Gabby Concepcion, and that same year, she won Best Actress at the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival for her role in "Balota" — a milestone that cemented her standing as one of Philippine cinema’s most versatile talents. In June 2025, she returned to the small screen as a judge on the celebrity dance competition "Stars on the Floor," alongside co-judges Rayver Cruz and choreographer Jay Joseph Roncesvalles, with Alden Richards as host.
In July 2025, Marian reaffirmed her loyalty to GMA Network, expressing gratitude for her journey as a Kapuso and her excitement for the years ahead. This sentiment coincided with the network’s 75th anniversary celebration.
To be fair, Marian has never completely slammed the door on working with ABS-CBN in some capacity. In 2019, when asked about the possibility of doing a film project with the Kapamilya network — following the massive success of Alden's crossover film with Kathryn Bernardo — she was open to the idea, saying, “Why not?” provided the right offer came along.
But a film collaboration is a far cry from a full network transfer, and Marian has made it abundantly clear that she has no intention of leaving GMA.
As of now, there is no credible indication that Marian is heading to ABS-CBN. The rumors, while persistent, appear to be fueled more by fan curiosity and the long-standing rivalry between the two networks than by any real behind-the-scenes developments. For the foreseeable future, GMA’s Primetime Queen remains exactly where she has always been — and exactly where she says she wants to be.