For celebrity couple Jericho Rosales and Janine Gutierrez, returning to the screen as husband and wife in The Loyalty Game feels both familiar and entirely new.
During their media presentation, the two shared how their latest project under Star Creatives allows them to explore characters that may seem similar on the surface but unfold in a much more layered and complex way.
“Somewhat similar but hugely different,” Jericho answered PUSH ABS-CBN. “Similar especially for me, sa Lavender Fields na ginawa namin. Medyo double life guy din siya but this one naman, aside from protecting something, very very noble ‘yung gusto niya mangayari sa buhay niya.”
Jericho added that The Loyalty Game carries a much darker and more intriguing tone than their previous series, offering viewers a suspenseful story that explores fear.
“But iba ‘yung tono ng show na ito. This is darker. This is more intriguing, more captivating in terms of things. It’s very, very exciting. It’s something like, basically they have put fear in front of me but then made you watch it,” he said.
He continued, “They put fear in front of you and ayun ‘yung pinaglaruan ng mga writers dito. We love it because it's the cause of peace.”
Janine echoed the same sentiment, admitting that she initially worried her character Ana might feel too similar to Iris, the role she played opposite Jericho in Lavender Fields.
“Noong una, medyo worried ako kasi si Ana at si Iris parehong mayaman na asawa ni Tyrone or Ben pero as in throughout the weeks of the script, sobrang ibang-iba ‘yung kwento,” she recalled.
As the story developed, Janine said she realized that Ana and Ben are unlike any characters she and Jericho have portrayed before.
“These are two characters na, I think, hindi pa namin nagagawa before. Mas kumplikado ‘yung mga layers nilang mag-asawa kasi ang nagawa namin before sa Lavender Fields, talagang sinasabi ko ‘yung nararamdaman ko. Dito everything is underneath the surface, and sa tingin ko nag-aapply ’yun sa lahat ng characters, so pati kami narereveal sa amin ‘yung mga sagot sa tanong as the story progresses,” Janine teased.
Jericho and Janine first worked together as husband and wife in Lavender Fields alongside Jodi Sta. Maria. It was also during that project that the pair confirmed their off-screen romance.
Now taking on their second series together, Jericho said working with Janine remains one of the biggest reasons he was eager to join the project.
“It’s great. Of course, second time with Janine. One of the reasons why I was really excited to take on the project was because it's with her. I know, bitin talaga (sa unang project) and I know her level of professionalism and I know her pagkagusto sa mga projects and sa characters and sa process. It’s something I ride the long way,” Jericho said.
For her part, Janine said she was equally happy to reunite with Jericho, especially as The Loyalty Game marks her first project with Star Creatives.
Despite enjoying the intensity of their dramatic roles, the couple admitted they are hoping to explore lighter material in the future.
“We’ve actually been calling our friends who are writers and we are asking for lighter scripts or something fun to do like action-comedy. Kahit Tiktok tatanggapin namin para light lang,” Jericho quipped.
The Loyalty Game is directed by Mae Cruz Alviar and will premiere on Prime Video on July 3.
Aside from Jericho and Janine, the cast also includes Charlie Dizon, Sofia Andres, Yassi Pressman, Yen Santos, Elisse Joson, Kira Balinger, Maika Rivera, and Carmina Villarroel.