Marian Rivera excited to work on new primetime drama

Primetime Queen Marian Rivera walked into the conference room 20 minutes late. The reason? Her firstborn, Zia, had a higher temperature than normal and the new mother had to rush home.

"Yung anak ko kasi mainit, matamlay daw so tumakbo ako para sa kanya. Yun pala, tinubuan lang ng ngipin, yun pala," Marian joked at the story conference for her newest primetime project, "The Good Teacher."

Marian Rivera talks to the media about her new project on GMA, "The Good Teacher." Photos: Rie Takumi

The drama, which will feature a star-studded cast including the legendary Helen Gamboa and up-and-coming star Kim Domingo, will be Marian's first show with GMA since leaving to start a family with her equally lauded husband Dingdong Dantes.

Marian said GMA approached her with different stories for her return to primetime and picked this story, conceptualized partly by the team behind "Alyas Robin Hood," due to its light-hearted nature.

"Ito talaga yung napili ko talaga na sabi ko, na-miss ko 'tong gawin," Marian said. "FYI lang yan, two years ka nang wala sa primetime so it's time to be back."

While she missed the rush of working on primetime dramas, Marian admitted that being apart from Zia will be a struggle for her.

"Na-miss ko rin talagang mag-primetime. Sabi ko, siguro time management lang. Siyempre mahirap pa rin sa akin na iwanan yung anak ko kaya kailangan i-balanse talaga," she said.

Her casting was a no-brainer for director LA Madridejos, who said Marian 's capability to work in any genre made her perfect for the urban fantasy drama that may begin production in May.

"Ito yung concept na mahirap siyang gawin and na-miss natin si Marian," LA said. "And you all know na ang galing ni Marian sa drama. May comedic timing siya. No-brainer actually na ito yung comeback project niya."

Marian will play the eccentric and—after a series of fascinating events—femme fatale heroine of the light-hearted, comedic drama that will focus on Philippine mythology and sisterly bonds.

Kim Domingo

Playing against her is Kim, who is ecstatic to work with the Primetime Queen.

"Kanina parang akong naiiyak," Kim said. "Sobrang saya kasi before, sa past interviews ko, sinasabi ko na na si ate ang isa sa mga gusto kong maka-trabaho."

Helen, who will play a matronly role to Marian's teacher, was pleased to get the call for the drama as it will allow her to spend time with the mother of her inaanak, Zia.

"Sabi niya, ninang, pinepray ko nga na sana tanggapin mo. Siyempre naman, magno-no ba ako? Eh ikaw yung kasama ko," Helen said. "I think I will really have a good, good working relationship of course with Marian at yung mga kasama namin in this teleserye."

Helen Gamboa

Joining Marian, Kim, and Helen are Al Tantay, Jerald Napoles, Julius Erasga, Jilian Ward, Kristoffer Martin, Ashley Ortega, Vincent Magbanua, and Enrico Cuenca. — BM, GMA News