Mars Ravelo’s daughter, Roberta, admitted that ABS-CBN’s version of Darna is the best among other adaptations.
During the media conference of ‘Darna’ on January 30, Miss Ravelo said that ABS-CBN did a good job in making the series. She quipped, “Talagang malaki ang ginawa ng ABS, malaking tulong. Talagang maganda ang pagkakagawa compared to others…so far, ‘yun ang the best, number 1 talaga ‘yung Darna ni ABS.”
Jane De Leon is the current Darna, but before she took on the role, GMA Network first adapted it into a fantasy series. Angel Locsin and Marian Rivera starred in 2005 and 2009, respectively.
Before De Leon soared as Darna, she faced many struggles as her movie-turned-series was delayed many times.
She was given the Darna role in 2019 after both Angel Locsin and Liza Soberano withdrew from the role due to medical reasons.
The Darna project was supposed to be under Erik Matti’s direction, but the director left due to “creative differences” with ABS-CBN Films. Director Jerrold Tarog was appointed to pursue the project, and still, it didn’t pan out.
After the COVID-19 pandemic canceled its film production of Mars Ravelo, the adaptation of his creation was announced as a series.
The Darna series officially aired on August 15, 2022. Its pilot episode surged past its rival Kapuso show in TV ratings.
‘Darna’ received high ratings in the areas of Mega Manila, and Metro Manila–where Kantar Media reported 19.4% and 23% household ratings. ‘Lolong’ managed to post 18.8% and 21.3%, respectively.
The series reigned in its time slot in Total and Rural Visayas, where it rated 21.9% and 22.2%, higher than Lorong’s 20.3% and 18.9%.
But weeks after airing its pilot episode, the Darna series remained unstable and struggled in its ratings. Some netizens even claimed that the series was a “flop”.
‘Darna’ is down to its last week on television. Fans can catch the series on weeknights at 8 p.m. on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, CineMo, A2Z, and TV5. It is also available on iWantTFC, and TFC.
