Philippines’ ABS-CBN spins off local hit ‘The Bagman’ as int’l coproduction

The Bagman

Philippines-based broadcaster ABS-CBN has unveiled its latest drama coproduction, which is a spin-off from the popular local hit Bagman that debuted on Netflix.

The Bagman (8 x 60 minutes) will be produced by Philippine-based quartet ABS-CBN International Production Division, Dreamscape Entertainment, Rein Entertainment and Nathan Studios Inc.

The original digital series, which sold to Netflix in the Philippines, follows the story of a neighborhood barber who lands a job as the governor’s henchman and gets caught up in a dangerous web of crime, corruption, and political turmoil.

The new show will follow the now-convicted prisoner after he learns tragic news about his missing family, forcing him to return to the vicious underworld that he turned his back on as he looks to stop an impending civil war.

The Bagman will be offered to international buyers for the first time at next week’s Filmart in Hong Kong and comes amid growing interested in Filipino series.

ABS-CBN premiered the first ever Filipino series at MIPCOM last year with Cattleya Killer.

Ruel S. Bayani, head of the International Production Division at ABS-CBN, said The Bagman would offer “action, suspense, dark humour and will have audiences around the world on the edge of their seats.”