Daniel Padilla is proving that he’s more than just a heartthrob, as he takes on the challenging role of an action star in ABS-CBN’s highly anticipated series ‘Incognito.’
The actor, known for his romantic-comedy roles, has undergone a significant transformation for his new role, sporting a more muscular physique to tackle the physically demanding action scenes.
When Daniel was first approached about joining Incognito, the exciting story about a private military contractor piqued his interest. “Noong binanggit sa akin ang kuwento, sobrang nagka-interest na agad ako, yun nga, tungkol sa private military contractor. Tapos nakita ko kung sino ang mga kasama, tapos kinumbinsi ako ni Tito Ian (Veneraion). Tinawagan niiya ako, kaya lalo akong na-excite,” Daniel shared, recalling the moment he was convinced to join the project.
The enthusiastic direction of director Lester Ong also played a key role in his decision to be part of the series. “’Yun nga, ‘yung binabanggit na elevation, sabi ko, parang gusto kong maging parte noon. Iba rin kasi ang mga apoy sa mata ni Direk Lester (Ong) noong binabanggit sa akin ang kuwento, at pupuntahan ng serye namin,” Daniel added.
With a lineage of action stars, including his father Rommel Padilla and his uncle Senator Robin Padilla, the question of whether Daniel felt any pressure to live up to their legacy was inevitable. However, Daniel remained unfazed.
“Wala naman silang binibigay na pressure sa akin. Wala naman akong nararamdamang kaba or anything,” Daniel said. “Hindi ko alam, eh. I’m just doing my best. Kung anong kalabasan noon, that’s it. Basta ako, I’m doing my best. And proud ako sa mga nagagawa namin as a group.”
The actor also joked about surpassing his father’s legacy, saying, “Pero excited akong ipakita sa erpat (Rommel) ko ito. Malamang panis siya sa akin! Hahahaha! Joke lang! Joke lang.” While he acknowledged that his family’s action star careers have shaped the genre, Daniel is confident that each of them has their own distinct style. “Oo nga, ang tatay ko nandun din sa genre na ‘yon, ang mga tito ko. Pero, iba-iba naman kami ng timpla. Tingnan na lang natin kung ano ang maio-offer natin,” he said.
The teaser for ‘Incognito’ has already impressed viewers with its high-stakes action scenes, including intense combat and thrilling shootouts. But the series promises more than just physical action—it also delves into the emotional and mental challenges faced by its characters, offering a story about personal redemption and resilience.
The cast includes Daniel Padilla alongside fellow stars Richard Gutierrez, Ian Veneracion, Baron Geisler, Kaila Estrada, Maris Racal, and Anthony Jennings. All actors have undergone extensive training to ensure their action scenes are authentic and compelling.
Incognito is set to premiere on Netflix on January 17, 2025, and will be available on other Kapamilya platforms such as iWantTFC (January 18), Kapamilya Channel, Jeepney TV, TV5, and A2Z (January 20, 2025). With its blend of thrilling action and emotional storytelling, Incognito is expected to be one of the most exciting shows of 2025.
