A surprise casting announcement has stirred the online fandoms of David Licauco and Jillian Ward after GMA Drama teased their upcoming series ‘Never Say Die’—billed as the network’s action-drama event of 2025.
The news first broke through an Instagram Story posted by David, sparking curiosity among fans especially since Jillian has yet to make any public confirmation. Adding to the excitement, South Korean actor Kim Ji Soo is also part of the cast, signaling a high-stakes, cross-cultural production.
Billed as their “most challenging roles yet,” ‘Never Say Die’ will see David and Jillian stepping out of their comfort zones. David, widely known for his romantic roles—particularly opposite Barbie Forteza—returns to the action genre, while Jillian, fresh from her rom-com ‘My Ilonggo Girl’, is set to break new ground as an action heroine.
However, not all reactions were positive. Some fans questioned the casting, citing that action roles may not suit Jillian’s image as a drama actress or David’s established rom-com appeal. Others were more concerned about the shift in David’s career path, fearing this might signal the end of the BarDa (Barbie-David) love team. One netizen wrote, “Why not continue building Jillian’s strength in drama and let David stick to rom-coms where he thrives?”
Age difference between the two—David at 32 and Jillian at 20—was also brought up, though many were quick to defend that a 12-year gap is fairly common in showbiz tandems.
Still, the excitement from supporters is undeniable. “Fresh pairing, exciting project. Looking forward to how Jillian and David will surprise us,” one fan commented. The casting is also seen by others as a bold move by GMA Network to break the mold and bring together two top talents for an ambitious primetime offering.
‘Never Say Die’ is reportedly in production and is expected to take over the slot of ‘Sang’gre’ once it concludes its run.
