Darna is a Philippine television drama action fantasy series broadcast by GMA Network. The series is based from Mars Ravelo's Philippine superheroine of the same title. Directed by Dominic Zapata and Don Michael Perez, it stars Marian Rivera in the title role. It premiered on August 10, 2009, on the network's Telebabad line up. The series concluded on February 19, 2010, with a total of 140 episodes.
Cast and characters
Lead cast Marian Rivera as Narda / Darna / Evil Darna / Ex-O / Phoenix
Supporting cast
Mark Anthony Fernandez as Eduardo / Black Rider Dennis Trillo as Pancho Iwa Moto as Valentina Nadine Samonte as Roma / Babaeng Impakta Ehra Madrigal as Armida / Babaeng Lawin Francine Prieto as Lucifera / Babaeng Tuod Maggie Wilson as Octavia Moran / Lutgarda Morales / Babaeng Linta Rochelle Pangilinan as Deborah Santos Jackie Rice as Helena / Helga Roxanne Barcelo as Aleli Buboy Villar as Carding "Ding" Santos Rufa Mae Quinto as Francesca Raymart Santiago as Crisanto Alfred Vargas as Gabriel Krista Kleiner as Liberty Polo Ravales as Shiro
Guest cast
Akihiro Sato as Vladimir Maureen Larrazabal as Dina Arcilla Katrina Halili as Serpina / Valentina Paolo Contis as Kobra Regine Velasquez as Elektra Angel Aquino as Darna Caridad Sanchez as Loleng Celia Rodriguez as Perfecta Mike "Pekto" Nacua as Jerry John Feir as Tomas Eddie Garcia as Mateo Ricky Davao as Morgan Gabby Eigenmann as Apollo Bearwin Meily as Watson Renz Valerio as younger Eduardo Jestoni Alarcon as Simon Rita Avila as Alicia Angeli Nicole Sanoy as younger Narda John Apacible as Nestor Janice de Belen as Consuelo Sweet Ramos as younger Valentina Allan "Mura" Padua as Impy Sabrina Man as younger Serpina Hayden Kho as Danny Ella Guevara as Narda
Production Rivera trained in martial arts in preparation for her role. Principal photography commenced on July 10, 2009.
Reception Ratings According to AGB Nielsen Philippines' Mega Manila household television ratings, the pilot episode of Darna earned a 44.1% rating. The final episode scored a 32.9% rating.
Critical response Writer Nestor Torre of Philippine Daily Inquirer said the pilot episode is "loud and livid". Torre also stated "two performances stand out because they're 'different'. The first is Janice de Belen's portrayal of Consuelo, the mother of Valentina. De Belen's characterization is outstanding, because it's deeply felt, while not being over-the-top..." and "the other interesting performance thus far is turned in by Iwa Moto as Valentina. With some help from creative scripting, her character is more tragic and conflicted than past versions of the story had it".
References
External links