HIGH-energy action meets real-life chemistry in “Blood vs Duty,” as Richard Gutierrez teams up with Gerald Anderson for the first time and stars opposite his girlfriend, Barbie Imperial, in ABS-CBN’s latest primetime series.
The new action-drama, which premieres April 6 across ABS-CBN platforms after early streaming releases on Netflix (April 3) and iWant (April 4), brings together intersecting stories of law enforcers and community protectors caught in a crackdown on illegal firearms.
For Gutierrez, the project carries added weight as he leads a show in one of the network’s most competitive time slots.
Before securing the 8 p.m. slot, the timeslot was initially occupied by Kim Chiu and Paulo Avelino’s “The Alibi,” following the postponement of Coco Martin and Julia Montes’ upcoming series “Sigabo.”
“Since I moved to ABS-CBN, no male lead has really entered that timeslot yet, right? So now that a male-led show is finally going in — aside, of course, from Coco (Martin) — it’s a big challenge for us. We’re accepting that challenge, and we’re excited for the opportunity, but there’s definitely pressure,” he said during a press conference.
While there have been discussions about possible schedule changes once other programs are ready to air, Gutierrez said the cast remains focused on the present.
“It was explained to us, but nothing is final yet. For now, we’re embracing where we are. We’re hoping people will like the show, and we’ll take it from there,” he said.
A major highlight of the series is his first collaboration with Anderson, whose energy on set, Gutierrez said, pushed him to keep up.
“I get the energy from him, because Gerald is very energetic too. We were doing a fight scene early in the morning — he’s athletic, so I had to raise my game as well. When it comes to fight scenes and action, it’s all about giving it your all, no matter what time it is,” he shared.
“It’s great working with Gerald. He’s such a team player. Like what he was trying to say, we support each other — we pass the ball, so to speak — and that makes things lighter in terms of pressure,” Gutierrez added.
Meanwhile, Anderson described their working dynamic as “So far, so good. It’s like I have a partner in crime. I came from ‘The Sins of the Father,’ which had an amazing cast and writers, but the weight was really on me. Now there are two of us.”
“We had a fight scene — not the one in the trailer, but another one — and we finished it early. I thought we’d be exhausted because we were running and chasing each other all day. But his energy was still the same as it was at 8 a.m. When you get to work with people like that — not just him, but the whole cast — it makes everything worth it,” Anderson enthused.
In “Blood vs Duty,” Gutierrez (Marcus), Bela Padilla (Lara), and Baron Geisler (Felix) play the role of government agents on a mission to mitigate rampant gun violence. Anderson is Jalil, a protector of a local fishing community, brother of Barbie Imperial (Jamilah), and beloved son of Datu Rahman, played by Jaime Fabregas.
Their two worlds will collide in a fight to crack down illegal firearms. Will the looming attack unmask the culprit or shield the real perpetrators? Will a long-buried secret trigger a war between them?
Off screen, “Blood vs Duty” marks the first project for Gutierrez and Imperial as a couple — something they had long talked about.
“It started as a conversation — what if we worked together? What are the possibilities? It’s an exciting journey. We’re guided by great creatives and directors. The JRB Unit really supports Barbie, and this is my first project with them. It’s an honor to be part of this group, and it’s been a good experience so far,” he said.
Imperial admitted she initially felt intimidated joining a cast of seasoned actors but said the experience has been fulfilling.
“When it was offered to me, I was still working on ‘Sins of the Father,’ which was about to end. Then Miss Julie (Julie Anne R. Benitez) approached me and said, ‘We have another show.’ I had no idea, and I’m so grateful to the JRB Unit. After ‘Batang Quiapo,’ I thought I wouldn’t have work anymore,” Imperial said.
“I was nervous because Richard, Gerald, Bela and Baron are all so good. I’ve been watching them since I was a kid. But I’m really happy,” she continued.
“Richard loves watching films. He always has ideas. Sometimes out of nowhere, he shares plans or concepts inspired by what he’s seen. We’ve wanted to work together for a long time, so I’m very thankful for this opportunity,” she added.
Gutierrez said “Blood vs Duty” stands apart from his previous action projects like “Incognito” by focusing more on character-driven storytelling.
“It’s a totally different show. We really focused on the storytelling — the journey of each character. We put a lot of effort into each character’s story. We intensified the storytelling and elevated the action in terms of theme. It’s far from ‘Incognito.’ We have a great team here, and I think we’re going to deliver something strong with this one,” he said.
Also joining the action-drama series are Ejay Falcon, Rommel Padilla, Susan Africa, Bobot Mortiz, Bodjie Pascua, Malou Crisologo, and many more.
“Blood vs Duty” streams on Netflix beginning April 3 (Friday), on iWant starting April 4 (Saturday), and on primetime via ABS-CBN sa ALLTV2, A2Z, Kapamilya Channel, and Kapamilya Online Live on April 6 (Monday), 8 p.m.
