The cast of TV drama The Hiddens tell Loong Wai Ting about the ups and downs of filming
THEY are called the “hiddens” for a reason. New espionage TV drama series The Hiddens is about a group of secret agents, who carry out dangerous missions in Asia.
“This team of professionals often perform the dirty work for the fictional government which none of the authoritative bodies will do,” says Hong Kong-based actor Lawrence Ng at the series’ Press conference in Subang Jaya.
In the action-packed series, Ng plays Gong Ning, the team leader who reports directly to Wai Ming (Jessica Hsuan), the team supervisor.
“My character was jailed in the beginning of the series for a crime. Wai Ming then offers him a way out and in return, he has to work for the government and complete a series of secret missions,” says Ng of his character.
Written and produced by acclaimed screenwriter Gary Tang, the series also offers interesting glimpses into the dangerous work of these secret agents. Besides Ng, the series also stars Michael Tao, William So, Felix Lok, Duncan Lai, Wylie Chiu and Lui Jing Jing.
The Hiddens was first conceived 20 years ago when Tang was still with TVB as a scriptwriter. For those not familiar with Tang’s work, he was the man behind some highly-rated shows such as File Of Justice, which spawned four spin-off series between 1993 and 1997, Police Cadet (1984, 1985 and 1988) and The Men Of Justice (2010).
Ng has starred in multiple TV series including the recently-aired Presumed Accident, Never Dance Alone and the medical drama Healing Hands. The latter catapulted him into an overnight sensation.
On films, the 52-year-old actor has appeared in New Dragon Gate Inn (1991) and Hail The Judge (1994), often playing the villain.
The soft-spoken Ng says The Hiddens offers a new challenge for him as an actor. “My character fights a lot and that involves wirework as well. We spent about five months filming the series in different locations, including Malaysia. But I had a lot of fun, nonetheless,” he says.
In order to prepare for his physically-demanding role, Ng worked out in the gym. “It helped, especially when I had to fight younger guys,” he says, with a chuckle.
Cantopop singer and occasional actor So echoes Ng’s sentiments. “When we were younger, we played doctors or lawyers. Now they (the production) want us to do action. I don’t see the logic here...,” he quips.
But So, 48, is enjoying all the action scenes so far. “There are always challenges in every TV series. I enjoy every opportunity to be on the show and I hope the audience will appreciate the efforts that we have put in,” he adds.
The talkative one among the lot, So says he is happy to meet his local fans as an actor instead of a singer. “Every time I am in Malaysia, I am here as a singer, performing at concerts and shows. It is different this time around. I am here as an actor,” he says.
He was preparing for a concert when he was offered a role in the series. “It was last November when filming officially kicked off. Due to my tight concert schedule, the production team was very accommodating and let me worked at my own pace,” he says.
In the series, he plays an executioner whose identity remains a mystery until the very end. “My character takes on different identities and no one has ever seen him except for the few who are close to him. What I like about the show is that it presents a different perspective to both right and wrong. It also opens up a lot of room for discussion,” he says.
Here’s something you may not know about the cast: Ng, So, Tao and Jessica Hsuan had collaborated in TVB legal drama File Of Justice.
Tao is known as the “housewife killer” due to his popularity with housewives and he has made a name for playing multi-faceted characters at one time. Though well into his 50s, he barely looks his age and is still charming as ever.
“It’s like a class reunion,” says Tao, when asked about his collaboration with the rest of the cast and Tang.
“Working with them after two decades bring back a lot of fond memories. I love the chemistry that we share on and off the screen.”
The Hiddens also star Astro personalities such as former Miss Astro Chinese International Pageant 2012 champion Denise Camillia Tan, Vivienne Onn, Shian Ter, Kevin Soo, Nicholas Kung, Choong Lai Chan and Thang Hoo Ley.
The Hiddens premieres on Sept 22 and it airs Monday to Friday at 9.30pm on Astro Wah Lai Toi (Astro channel 311 and 310 HD).