At the media conference for Royal Blood last June 8, Kapuso writer RJ Nuevas recounted how they came up with the concept of GMA Network’s upcoming series. Nuevas told the press how GMA Network Primetime actor, Dingdong Dantes, suggested a show similar to HBO’s Succession.
“Every week, mayroon kaming sub-com meeting. Pinag-uusapan namin kung ano ‘yung mga shows na dapat naming buuin. Tapos every now and then–hindi every now and then–madalas, sasabihin, we need a show for ganitong artista. We need a show for Dingdong, nabanggit ni Dingdong na ang gusto niya parang Succession. Ang gusto niyang show parang Succession.”
The Kapuso writer then highlighted how he pitched his murder-mystery story with a premise similar to the American series.
“Sabi ko, Succession, gusto kong gawing murder mystery ‘yung Succession. So sabi niya, ang magandang ka-partner ng Succession, murder-mystery, mayroon kasi akong hook ng story na about a father na hinanap niya ‘yung bastard son niya para magpatulong na hanapin kung sino sa mga tatlo sa original niyang anak ang gustong pumatay sa kanya.”
He then noted how GMA Network, the management, and Dantes approved his pitch for Royal Blood.
“So sabi ko, ‘Ay ang ganda ng hook. So that week, sinulat ko agad siya, and luckily nagustuhan. Nagustuhan ng lahat, nagustuhan ng management, nagustuhan ng subcom group, nagustuhan ni Dingdong, nagustuhan ng director. So ‘yun, ‘yun ang history ng Royal Blood.”
Dantes also expressed excitement for the upcoming Kapuso series, citing how the cast has no clue who the ‘real killer’ is in the murder mystery show.
“Siyempre, ‘yung konsepto itself, sobrang exciting. And, para sa akin, I wake up everyday very excited to go on set dahil alam kong ano eh, kahit kasi kami sa taping, di namin alam kung sino talaga ‘yung pumatay eh. So lahat kami, parati kaming nanghuhula. And even as actors, we’re very, very excited to work on this material.”
Royal Blood stars Dantes with Megan Young, Dion Ignacio, Mikael Daez, Lianne Valentin, Rhian Ramos, Rabiya Mateo, Benjie Paras, Arthur Solinap, Tirso Cruz III, Andrew Schimmer, John Feir, Carmen Soriano, James Graham, Princess Aliyah, Aidan Veneracion, and Sienna Stevens.
The Kapuso murder mystery, under the direction of Dominic Zapata, airs on GMA Network primetime starting June 19.
