Atasha Muhlach is on cloud nine having recently been tapped to headline a weighty project – a local adaptation of the huge Thai hit “Bad Genius” as presented by Studio Viva.
She told us, “I am so happy and excited to be part of this show because it’s a huge step up from what I’ve been doing so far.”
Note that prior, Atasha tried her hand in comedy as seen in the sitcom “Da Pers Family” on TV5.
She is also one of the hosts of long-running noontime show “Eat Bulaga!”
“I learned a lot doing those shows and I’m grateful, of course, but I only get to show that funny side of me in them so, I was really, really happy when I learned that I’d be doing ‘Bad Genius.’ I am hoping that through the show, I’d get to showcase a more serious, more dramatic me.”
The original “Bad Genius” broke box-office records when it was shown in several Asian countries in 2017.
A series adaptation garnered awards and accolades, including Best TV Drama Series and Best Screenplay.
In 2023, India released their adaptation called “Farrey.”
Last year, an American remake was shown in cinemas.
Said director Derick Cabrido, “I have to admit, learning about the track record of ‘Bad Genius’ in its various iterations was quite overwhelming for me. I was hesitant to take it on actually because of its success. I’m pretty sure people will compare our work with the original but I have since embraced the idea. Together with Atasha and the rest of the cast, we will definitely put our own spin on the project. Hopefully, we would better show predecessors.”
The PH adaptation has Atasha playing the role of Lin, an intelligent high school student who gets a scholarship to one of the best private schools in the country.
Coming from a public school, she has a lot to adjust to, but she can’t let anyone intimidate her. She is determined to maintain her high grades to keep her scholarship, but she’s also willing to help anyone in need, going on to turn it into a full-on money-making scheme.
Joining her is Jairus Aquino as Bank, one of the most intelligent students in his batch. Understandably, he sees Lin as competition, but decides to join her “business” because of severe financial need.
Then there’s Gab Lagman who plays Pat, a rich kid struggling in academics and Hyacinth Callado as Grace, Pat’s girlfriend and Lin’s first friend in the school.
Romnick Sarmenta and Yayo Aguila play Lin’s parents, Vincent and Winona. Ruffa Gutierrez is the cold and calculating Principal Perez. Irma Adlawan is Nenita, the loving, widowed mother of Bank. Joko Diaz is Philip, Pat’s rich dad.
“Bad Genius: The Series” will stream soon on Viva One.
