Alexa Ilacad is no stranger to coming-of-age stories, but her latest project may be one of her most meaningful yet.

The actress leads the cast of the new iWant original series “Miss Behave,” a dark comedy-drama that explores friendship, trauma, and the strength that can emerge when young women choose to fight back together.

Premiering today (June 3) on iWant, the 10-episode series follows five high school girls whose lives are upended after their private photos are shared without their consent. What begins as a deeply traumatic experience becomes a journey of healing, empowerment, and reclaiming control.

For Alexa, who plays the academically gifted Marla, the story goes beyond typical teen drama.

“We're trying to fight back with our dialogue, with how we treat each and every scene,” she said during the show's media conference in BGC. “This is for all the victims, for all the girls and everyone in between who have experienced having something important taken away from them.”

Directed by Ivan Andrew Payawal, “Miss Behave” tackles issues that many young people continue to face today, including misogyny, abuse, betrayal, and the long-lasting effects of trauma.

The director described the series as a story about survivors finding their voice.

“We wanted the survivors to have the last laugh,” Payawal said. “We don't take our topics lightly, but our treatment has humor. It's a sign of victory. It's a sign of survival.”

At the center of the story are five girls, each with distinct personalities and strengths.

Alexa's Marla is a straight-A student with a photographic memory who appears to have everything figured out until her world begins to unravel.

Joining her are Xyriel Manabat as Nyx Rodriguez, an unapologetic innovator with a passion for robotics; Reign Parani as Isobel, a chemistry enthusiast whose confidence often masks deeper vulnerabilities; Andrea Abaya as April Javier, a brilliant hacker struggling to find where she belongs; and Rans Rifol as Daphne, an ambitious scholar gifted with numbers and determination.

While the series deals with heavy subject matter, much of its emotional core comes from the bond formed among the five girls.

Reign described the show as a celebration of “girlhood” and women supporting one another.

That sense of sisterhood extended beyond the cameras.

According to the cast, the friendships they built during production became essential in navigating emotionally demanding scenes.

“I need to make these people feel like they can be at home with me and I can be at home with them,” Alexa shared. “If I want to make this project work, I need to open myself up to these people.”

The ensemble cast also includes Zach Castaneda as Lester Manalo; Raven Rigor as Anthony “Ant” Pedron; JC Alcantara as Cole Javier; BGYO member Akira Morishita as Warren Galang; Zach Guerrero as Earl; and LA Santos as Migo Alcera.

Romance also plays a role in the series, with Alexa admitting that “Miss Behave” includes both kissing and love scenes. The actress said she was initially nervous about filming them, particularly because it marked her first on-screen kissing scene.

However, she credited the production for creating a safe environment built on trust and consent.

“Everything was talked about. Everything was consensual,” she said.

Still, the cast emphasized that the show's central message lies elsewhere.

For Xyriel, the project became more than just another acting assignment.

“Every scene is a shout for justice to the voiceless,” she said. “This is not just for the story. This is an advocacy.”

That sentiment reflects the heart of “Miss Behave,” a series that uses the language of youth entertainment to tackle difficult realities facing a new generation.

Through humor, friendship, romance, and moments of heartbreak, the show ultimately asks what happens when young women stop being silent and start standing together.