James Reid is embracing a new chapter in his acting career as he teams up with Kathryn Bernardo in ABS-CBN's upcoming primetime series Someone, Someday.
During his solo media conference for the series on July 14, James sat down with members of the press and fans, where he opened up about returning to primetime, collaborating with Asia's Superstar, the excitement of introducing a fresh on-screen partnership, and being nervous about having a new lead actress.
For years, both James and Kathryn became household names with their respective partnerships, helping define an era of Philippine entertainment. Now that both actors are taking on projects as individual artists, James said their long-awaited collaboration opens up "more opportunities."
"As far as it comes to working together, I think the crossover of me and Kath working together has been long anticipated actually by a lot of the fans. This [newly] opened way of working together is allowing for more possibilities, a time for more opportunities, such as Someone, Someday to exist," he shared.
James added that he is especially excited for viewers to see how he, Kathryn, as well as Maja Salvador who also leads the series, bring their characters to life.
"Tsaka hindi normal 'yung kwento nila, 'yung relationship nila. I think it's a very special relationship that they have," he continued.
Although he spent much of his career working with a different leading lady, James admitted that adjusting to working with Kathryn came naturally as they both genuinely wanted to build new characters and find a fresh dynamic.
"I think, luckily there weren't too many adjustments on working with a different lead actress. I think, the experience itself is different – how me and Kath put together these new characters and try to come up with very new that people haven't seen yet."
He continued: "I didn't want to give the fans something they've already seen. We really want to create something new, something fresh, [giving them] a brand new experience."
The actor also revealed that he admitted to Kathryn that he was nervous when they first started working together.
"I actually told Kath when we first started working, 'I'm so nervous. I actually haven't worked with another leading lady.' And then she was like, 'It's okay, I know how you feel.' At least we're on the same page."
As filming progressed, James shared that they naturally got to know each other while discovering their characters, Jordan and Billy.
"We had some cast bonding, things like that. We really got to sit down and try and figure out the quirks, the small little details of Jordan and Billy. We did get to eventually [know each other]."
Apart from Kathryn, James also had nothing but praise for Maja, saying that working alongside both actresses became a learning experience for him.
"Working with Kath and Maja, I was amazed. I was actually very grateful on how hands on Kath was with the script, storytelling, and the characters."
"And Maja, the character she plays isn't easy. The way she has to weave herself in the story is quite complicated," the actor continued. "So working with the two of them is very inspiring to me. I'm treating this project [as a lesson], learning all over again. So I'm super grateful that I get to work with two titans in the industry. I consider myself very lucky."
James also looked back on his first day on set, admitting he felt the pressure of returning to television after nearly a decade.
"To be honest, I was very, very nervous. Kasi I felt all of the nerves, the pressure, kasi ito 'yung comeback project ko."
He noted that the series also marked several milestones for the rest of the team. Thankfully, James said the support of the cast, directors Chad Vidanes and Dolly Dulu, and Dreamscape Entertainment helped him settle into the role.
"It's also Kathryn's comeback to teleseryes, even Maja, even Direk Chad... So many firsts, so many comebacks, and I was super nervous. I really felt the nerves. I think everybody felt it, not just me."
"Luckily, it's been a great experience working with Kathryn and Maja... syempre with Direk Chad and Direk Dolly, they made it such a collaborative, welcoming experience. Of course, to my Dreamscape family, thank you so much for welcoming me back home with such open arms. It feels like I never really left."
Someone, Someday marks James's return to primetime a decade after On the Wings of Love. Looking back, he shared that returning to television felt as though he had never stepped away because the support and love of the fans remained constant.
The series follows Billy (Kathryn), an independent woman who has dedicated her life to raising her younger brother Oliver (Migz Casimiro), supporting her family, and leading Love List, a dating app that empowers women to pursue genuine relationships. As her friendship with Jordan (James) deepens, her life takes an unexpected turn with the arrival of the mysterious Abby (Maja), who appears to have a hidden agenda.
The modern, feel-good, and progressive series will stream first on Netflix beginning July 24, followed by iWant on July 25, and will also be available on TFC.
It premieres on primetime on July 27 at 8:45 p.m. on ALLTV2, TV5, A2Z, Kapamilya Channel, and Kapamilya Online Live on Facebook and YouTube.