Filipina actress Julia Montes is set to make her teleserye comeback in the upcoming Philippine adaptation of the popular Japanese drama series “Mother,” entitled “Saving Grace.” The announcement of the project was made on July 15, marking Montes’ return to the small screen after a hiatus.

The remake is a collaboration between ABS-CBN Studios, Dreamscape Entertainment, and Nippon TV. While Montes is confirmed to headline the series, details such as the release date and other cast members have yet to be revealed.

“Mother,” originally aired on Nippon TV in 2010, tells the story of a struggling elementary teacher who abducts a first-grade pupil under the belief that the child is being abused by her parents. The two then go on the run, posing as mother and child while evading authorities.

ABS-CBN Chief Operating Officer Cory Vidanes expressed her excitement for the network’s first adaptation of a Nippon TV series, highlighting the emotional depth of the story that focuses on family and motherhood. She believes that the series will resonate with both Filipino and international audiences.

Nippon TV’s representatives, Sally Yamamoto and Yuki Akehi, also shared their enthusiasm for the partnership with ABS-CBN, expressing confidence in the Filipino audience’s reception of the show.

In a social media post, Dreamscape Entertainment shared behind-the-scenes clips from Montes’ first taping day for the series. The actress herself described the project as “special” to her, indicating her dedication to the role.

“Saving Grace” will mark the 10th adaptation of the hit Japanese drama, following previous versions in countries like Turkey, South Korea, Ukraine, and more. The series has become Asia’s most exported scripted format, showcasing its universal appeal.

For Montes, “Saving Grace” will be her first lead role in a teleserye in nearly five years. Her return to television in 2020 with the series “24/7” was short-lived due to production halts caused by the pandemic and the closure of ABS-CBN’s franchise. She also had a stint in the long-running series “Ang Probinsyano” from 2021 to 2022.

As fans eagerly await the release of “Saving Grace,” Montes’ comeback promises to be a significant moment in Philippine television, blending the emotional storytelling of the original Japanese drama with the unique sensibilities of Filipino audiences.

/Digital Sauce

Julia Montes is making her teleserye comeback through Saving Grace, the Philippine adaptation of the popular Japanese drama series Mother
The remake will be a collaboration between ABS-CBN Studios, Dreamscape Entertainment, and Nippon TV
The series revolves around a struggling elementary teacher who abducts a first-grade pupil
ABS-CBN’s Chief Operating Officer expressed excitement for the network’s first adaptation of a Nippon TV series
Nippon TV representatives believe in ABS-CBN’s production capabilities
Saving Grace will be the 10th adaptation of the hit Japanese drama series
This will be Montes’ first top-billed teleserye in about five years
Montes previously appeared in the series 24/7 and joined Ang Probinsyano from 2021 to 2022.