Jillian Ward, David Licauco in action with GMA’s ‘Never Say Die’

January 31 ------ GMA Prime is raising the stakes in primetime television with “Never Say Die,” a crime-driven action drama that confronts corruption, power, and the price of truth when justice turns personal. Premiering Feb. 2, the series brings together Jillian Ward and David Licauco for the first time.

Ward stars as Joey Delgado, a determined young woman shaped by the death of her police officer father. Licauco plays Andrew Dizon, a guarded investigative journalist whose pursuit of facts often puts him in dangerous territory. The series follows Joey and Andrew as they investigate crimes tied to influential figures and entrenched drug syndicates. Their search for accountability forces them to face uncomfortable truths, including the possibility that their own families may be complicit.

For Ward, the series goes beyond action and suspense. “I’m proud of this project because it’s not just an action show — it has a purpose,” she said. “It reflects the problems in our country and also highlights women's empowerment. Joey is often underestimated because she’s young and a woman, but she proves that she can stand her ground and fight for the truth.” While the show pairs two of GMA’s popular stars, Ward was quick to clarify that romance is not its main thrust. Instead, the narrative focuses on crime, accountability, and personal growth.

The role required significant physical preparation, prompting Ward to undergo combat and weapons training. “I trained for three to four days and learned the basics of taekwondo, gun handling, and sports shooting,” she said. “We kept revisiting the training to make the scenes more dynamic and convincing.”

Ward also described the project as a turning point in her personal and professional life. “This felt like the right transition for me,” she said. “Over the past year, I’ve become more mature and more aware. I don’t want to stay neutral about the issues in our country forever. I’ve started speaking up and doing my own research, and this show aligns with where I am now and with my age.”

Asked about working with Licauco, Ward shared her initial impression of her co-star. “At first, David was quiet, and I appreciated that,” she said. “He’s not pretentious. He may seem nonchalant, but he genuinely cares about his work. He’s honest, purposeful, and someone you can learn a lot from.” She added that Licauco has been a source of guidance both on and off the set. “He gives me a lot of advice — not just about acting, but also about business and education,” Ward said. “Business isn’t my strong point, so I value his insights.”

More importantly, she said, working with Licauco reinforced her own sense of confidence. “He made me realize that I’m an empowered woman, even at a young age,” she added. “He treats me as an equal, which is the opposite of his character in the show.” For his part, Licauco said Never Say Die offers a different experience from his earlier action-heavy roles. “I’ve done action before, especially in ‘Maging Sino Ko Man,’ which had more intense fight scenes,” he said. “This one is more balanced. It leans toward being a crime thriller, with elements of love and friendship.”

Playing an investigative journalist also came with specific challenges, particularly in dialogue delivery. “The hardest part was speaking quickly and delivering long lines,” Licauco said. “In many roles, you rely heavily on emotion, but here you have to be direct and fast. That was my biggest challenge.” He also had words of praise for his leading lady. “Jillian is very nice and very smart. People might not always see that, but she really is.”

Source: manilatimes.net