KUALA LUMPUR: Award-winning local actor Bront Palarae (Terbaik Dari Langit, Psiko: Si Pencuri Hati) joins the star-studded Asian cast for the upcoming HBO Asia Original Series, Halfworlds.
The eight-part hour-long series, which begins production this week, is an Asian dark thriller set to premiere exclusively on HBO at the end of this year. Renowned Indonesian filmmaker Joko Anwar (Kala, Ritual) makes his television debut as director of the series.
“Halfworlds is a first of its kind series in Asia boasting an ensemble of acting, musical and artistic talents from the region,” said HBO Asia's chief executive officer Jonathan Spink, CEO, HBO Asia.
“We are proud to be collaborating with visionary director Joko Anwar, the perfect choice for this latest HBO Asia Original series.”
A fantastical tale of love, redemption and betrayal set in present day Jakarta, Halfworlds is about a young street artist who uncovers her true origins when she finds herself unwittingly caught in a battle between humans and demons.
It also stars Indonesian talents Salvita Decorte in her breakout role, Arifin Putra (The Raid 2; Macabre), Reza Rahadian (Habibie & Ainun; Guru Bangsa: Tjokroaminoto), Aimee Saras (Musical Onrop), Adinia Wirasti (Tentang Dia; Laura & Marsha), Hannah Al-Rashid (Ritual; V/H/S/2); Tara Basro (Catatan (Harian) Si Boy; Pendekar Tongkat Emas), Alex Abbad (The Raid 2), Ario Bayu (Soekarno; HBO Asia’s Serangoon Road), and Verdi Solaiman (The Raid; Java Heat); as well as Singaporean Nathan Hartono (Musical Spring Awakening).
Eight-year-old Malaysian actress Puteri Balqis, best actress winner at the 2014 Asian Television Awards, guest stars.
Written by Collin Chang and Joko, Halfworlds is produced by HBO Asia with Infinite Studios and will be filmed at their soundstage and backlot in Batam as well as in Jakarta. This is HBO Asia’s fourth Original production after Dead Mine (2012), Serangoon Road (2013) and Grace (2014).