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One year after unveiling the ambitious project at Hong Kong’s Filmart project market, Philippine broadcaster-turned-content-producer Abs-cbn has started production on the crime thriller series The Bagman. The show began shooting in Manila on Feb. 25, according to the producers, and the project will be shopped to regional buyers at this year’s Filmart, which begins Monday.

The Bagman is a high-end TV spinoff of Abs-cbn’s popular streaming series Bagman, which ran for two seasons beginning in 2019 and was picked up by Netflix. Filipino actor Arjo Atayde (The General’s Daughter) is reprising his lead role as Benjo Malaya from the original show. John Arcilla (On the Job 2: The Missing 8, The Bourne Legacy) and Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo (Mindanao) also star.

The spinoff is said to have a significantly bigger budget, with ambitions to reach an audience beyond the Philippines. Abs-cbn’s producing partners on the title include Dreamscape Entertainment, Nathan Studios and Rein Entertainment.

A year after announcing the ambitious project, The Philippines Abs-cbn is now in production on new series “The Bagman.” Filming began in Manila on Feb. 25.

“The Bagman” is a spin-off from the original, locally-produced digital series “Bagman” that was aimed at the Filipino audience. The new series is intended as an international co-production. The Philippines companies already on board include Abs-cbn International Productions, Nathan Studios, Rein Entertainment and Dreamscape Entertainment.

The announcement was made by Ruel S. Bayani, head of Abs-cbn’s international productions division, and who will be attending FilMart, long with Tanya Bautista, creative producer of the show and Lea Dizon, Abs-cbn’s Los Angeles-based development executive.

“Abs-cbn’s track record as a storyteller and content creator is one of our key assets that makes us a solid partner in international co-productions, as seen in our growing slate of global titles. As a pioneer and leader in globalizing...