Rayver Cruz and Jasmine Curtis-Smith. Images: Instagram/@sparklegmaartistcenter and @jascurtissmith
Kapuso artists Rayver Cruz and Jasmine Curtis-Smith will test their work compatibility in the upcoming afternoon drama “Can’t Let Go.”
In an interview with GMA reporter Lhar Santiago Thursday, July 6, on “24 Oras,” Curtis-Smith shared that she had already sensed “warmth” from the “All-Out Sundays” mainstay, and sees them getting along.
“I know for a fact na itong si Rayver — parang meron na siyang warmth eh. Well, I mean we’re not—wala pa po kaming gano’n kalalim na friendship, pero alam ko na madali siyang pakisamahan and magiging magaan kasama sa trabaho,” said the actress whose last Kapuso drama was “The World Between Us,” opposite Alden Richards.
(I know for a fact that Rayver—it’s like he already has warmth. Well, I mean we’re not—we don’t have that deep friendship yet, but I know that he’s easy to get along with and he’ll be easy to work with.)
Cruz, for his part, expressed excitement over sharing the screen with Curtis-Smith for the first time, saying he often sees her in events and gatherings of artists. The former Kapamilya actor is very much aware of what an afternoon drama entails and looks forward to honing his character for the upcoming series.
“Pagka hapon po kasi talagang heavy drama lagi. And every time na may drama naman is nakaka-excite talaga kasi you get to explore the characters and parang ikaw mismo maglalagay ng backstory sa character mo,” shared the “Bolera” star.
(When the series is scheduled for the afternoon, it’s really always heavy drama. And every time there is a drama, it’s really exciting because you get to explore the characters, and it’s like you yourself will provide the backstory for your character.)
Sharing her co-star’s sentiment, Curtis-Smith is bracing herself for the challenge of doing an afternoon series, explaining how characters in an afternoon drama go through more in life.
“I think I’m very much ready to tackle on itong malaking project na ipinagkatiwala sa’kin, and alam ko pong mas malaki at mas marami ang pinagdadaanan ng mga karakter sa Afternoon Prime kaya talagang mapapasubok ako dito. But okay lang. We love a good challenge,” the award-winning actress said.
(I think I’m very much ready to tackle this big project that’s been entrusted to me, and I’m aware that characters in the afternoon prime go through bigger and more experiences. That’s why I’m really going to get tested here. But it’s okay. We love a good challenge.)
Earlier on July 5, The “Culion” actress posted on Instagram—she did not identify the series yet at the time—some snaps from the show’s story conference. In her caption, she expressed how she was “looking forward to working under the helm” of veteran actress and director Laurice Guillen.
Also part of the cast are Gina Alajar, Liezel Lopez, Martin del Rosario, Patricia Coma, Kim De Leon, Luis Hontiveros, Jeniffer Maravilla, Crystal Paras, Billie Hakenson and Bruce Roeland.
Curtis-Smith appeared in the Kenneth Dagatan feature “In My Mother’s Skin,” shown at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. The horror film also featured Beauty Gonzalez and Angeli Bayani.
Cruz, who was one of several Kapuso stars who performed in the pilot episode of “It’s Showtime” on GTV, also has an upcoming film—”The Cheating Game”—with his “The Clash” co-host and real-life partner Julie Anne San Jose. /ra