''Darna'' is a 2005

Philippine television drama Philippine television drama, also known as ''teleserye'' is a form of melodramatic, serialized, televised fiction in the Philippines. ''Teleserye'' is derived from two Filipino words: "tele", short for "''telebisyón''" (television), and "''se ...

fantasy Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction that involves supernatural or Magic (supernatural), magical elements, often including Fictional universe, imaginary places and Legendary creature, creatures. The genre's roots lie in oral traditions, ...

action Action may refer to: * Action (philosophy), something which is done by a person * Action principles the heart of fundamental physics * Action (narrative), a literary mode * Action fiction, a type of genre fiction * Action game, a genre of video gam ...

series broadcast by

GMA Network GMA Network (an acronym of its legal name, Global Media Arts and commonly known as GMA) is a Television in the Philippines, Philippine commercial broadcast network, serving as the flagship property of publicly traded GMA Network (company), ...

. The series is based on

Mars Ravelo Marcial "Mars" Custodio Ravelo (October 9, 1916 – September 12, 1988) was a Filipino people, Filipino comic book cartoonist and graphic novelist. Dubbed as the "''King of Pinoy Komiks''", he is notable for creating ''Darna, Dyesebel, Captain ...

's Philippine fictional character of the same name and its 2003's

comic book miniseries In the field of comic books, and particularly in the United States, a limited series is a comics series with a predetermined number of issues. A limited series differs from an ongoing series in that the number of issues is finite and determined ...

published by Mango Comics. Directed by

Dominic Zapata Dominic Zapata (born February 14, 1971), is a Filipino television and film director. He is a graduate of the De La Salle University and Don Bosco Technical Institute-Makati. He took up AB Communication Arts and BSC Marketing Management (CAM-MMG ...

and

Eric Quizon Enrico "Eric" Smith Quizon (born January 20, 1967) is a Filipino actor, director, producer, writer and comedian. He is the 10th child of the late comedian-actor, Dolphy. He is also a co-owner of Café Famous in Greenbelt, Makati. In late 2022 ...

, it stars

Angel Locsin Angelica Locsin Colmenares (born April 23, 1985) is a Filipino actress and humanitarian. She is known for her dramatic roles and portrayals of heroines and mythological characters in film and television. She is a recipient of various accolad ...

in the title role. It premiered on April 4, 2005 on the network's Telebabad line up. The series concluded on November 25, 2005 with a total of 170 episodes.

Cast and characters

;Lead cast *

as Darna / Narda ;Supporting cast *

Alessandra De Rossi Alessandra de Rossi (born Alessandra Tiotangco Schiavone on July 19, 1984) is a Filipino actress and writer. Known for her dramatic and comedic performances in independent film and television, she made her screen debut in the comedy series ''! ...

as Valentina *

Wendell Ramos Carlino Xavier Reyes Ramos (; born August 18, 1978) is a Filipino actor. He is best known as one of the original cast members of the GMA Network comedy show ''Bubble Gang''. Career Ramos started his showbiz career in 1995 when he joined the ca ...

as Jeric Frias *

Dennis Trillo Abelardo Dennis Florencio Ho (born May 12, 1981), known professionally as Dennis Trillo (), is a Filipino actor. He is known for his role as Eric del Mundo in the first ever gay-themed series on Philippine TV, '' My Husband's Lover'', Juan C ...

as Efren / a snake man * Jeremy Marquez as Jun *

Eddie Garcia Eduardo "Eddie" Verchez Garcia (; May 2, 1929 – June 21, 2019), colloquially known as Manoy, was a Filipino actor, television personality, and filmmaker. Widely regarded as the greatest Filipino actor of all time, Garcia appeared in nearly ...

as Oscar / Mambabarang *

Christopher de Leon Christopher Strauss de León (born October 31, 1956), also known as Boyet, is a Filipino actor, filmmaker and politician. Often referred to as the "King of Philippine Drama", he gained stardom for his leading man roles in numerous film and te ...

as Ted / Dr. Zombie *

Celia Rodriguez Cecilia Rodriguez (March 17, 1938) is a Filipino actress. She has since been referred to as "The Original Glamorous Movie Star" for her acting prowess and longevity. She appeared in more than 130 movies and television shows. She won four FA ...

as Braguda *

Gina Pareño Gina Pareño (; born Geraldine Acthley, October 20, 1947) is a Filipino actress. She is referred to as the "Queen of Philippine Melodrama", being best known for her award-winning portrayals in films like '' Kubrador'', ''Service (film), Serbis' ...

as Milagros *

Sandy Andolong Alexandra "Sandy" Andolong-de Leon (born Alexandra Pinga Andolong; January 16, 1959) is a Filipino actress and producer. She is mostly seen on the TV programs made by GMA Network and ABS-CBN, especially on dramas and sitcoms. Career Ando ...

as Prospera *

Caridad Sanchez Caridad Yuson Sanchez-Babao (born August 1, 1930 in Mandaue) is a Filipino actress, mostly seen on GMA Network. In 1977, she played the role of Nanay Idad in the revival TV drama series based from the very successful radio soap opera (first hea ...

as Aio *

Carmina Villarroel María Carmina Muñiz Villarroel-Legaspi (; ; born August 17, 1975) is a Filipino actress, television presenter, and product endorser. She is best known for portraying the role of Lyneth Santos in the medical drama, ''Abot-Kamay na Pangarap'' ...

as Sabrina / Sulfura *

Tonton Gutierrez Eduardo Antonio "Tonton" Winsett Gutierrez, Jr. (born March 20, 1968) is a Filipino film and television actor best known for his role as Governor Eduardo Buenavista in the original hit teleserye '' Pangako Sa 'Yo'', it was topbilled by Krist ...

as Mulong / Nosferamus *

Maureen Larrazabal Maureen Larrazabal (born September 23, 1979) is a Filipina actress, singer, and commercial model, best known as a cast member of ''Bubble Gang'' (since 2013) and for her role as Mara in '' Pepito Manaloto'' (since 2013), both aired on GMA Netwo ...

as Aio * Karen delos Reyes as Alice / Babaeng Tuod / Babaeng Impakta / Babaeng Lobo *

Katrina Halili Maria Katrina Iren Pe Halili (born January 4, 1986) is a Filipino actress. She began her career after finishing as a finalist on the reality talent search '' StarStruck'' (2003). She was the first Filipina to be named by '' FHM Philippines'' as ...

as Carol / Black Darna *

Cristine Reyes Ara Cristine Pascual Klenk (born February 5, 1989) is a Filipino actress. She has been dubbed as the "Ultimate Star" by the local media for her acting prowess and popularity. Her films have collectively earned ₱1.05 billion, making her one o ...

as Molecula *

Ella Guevara Ella Guevara (born Janella Denise Yuson Guevara; August 19, 1998, Quezon City) is a former Filipino actress. She rose to fame through her appearance on a talent search on television called '' StarStruck Kids'' that aired on the Filipino telev ...

as Lenlen *

Ryza Cenon Rhiza Ann Cenon Simbulan (born December 21, 1987), known professionally as Ryza Cenon, is a Filipino actress, dancer, model and painter. In 2004, she became the Ultimate Female Survivor of the second season of '' StarStruck'' of GMA Network. ...

as Louella / Divas Impaktitas * C. J. Muere as Ding *

Francis Magundayao Francis Elmer Cabalteja Magundayao (born May 14, 1999) is a Filipino actor and commercial model. He was first known as Iking in the series, ''Darna''. He is also known for portraying young Travis (adult version portrayed by Gerald Anderson) in ...

as Iking *

Nadine Samonte Nadine Burgos Eidloth-Chua (born March 2, 1988), known professionally as Nadine Samonte, is a Filipino actress. She participated as an Avenger of the first season of '' StarStruck''. Career She received the "Most Promising Actress" award fr ...

as Ava ;Guest cast *

Lorna Tolentino Victoria Lorna Perez Aluquin-Fernandez (born December 23, 1961), better known by her stage name Lorna Tolentino, sometimes known as ''L.T.'', an abbreviation of her screen name, is a Filipino actress, model, film producer and television persona ...

as Queen Adran *

Lani Mercado Lani Mercado-Revilla (; born Jesusa Victoria Garcia Hernandez-Bautista; April 13, 1968) is a Filipino actress and politician serving as representative of Cavite's 2nd district, which comprises only the city of Bacoor, from 2010 to 2016. Pers ...

as Ising *

Cogie Domingo Redmond Christopher Fernandez Domingo (born August 15, 1985), known professionally as Cogie Domingo, is a Filipino actor and model. Career At age 13, he joined the cast of ABS-CBN's ''Cyberkada''. This was followed by Regal Films' horror f ...

as Daniel *

Ara Mina Hazel Pascual Reyes Klenk Mathay-Almarinez (born May 9, 1979), professionally known as Ara Mina-Almarinez, is a Filipino actress, singer, endorser, and entrepreneur. Recognized as the "Millennium Goddess", Mina is a recipient of a FAMAS Awar ...

Dyesebel ''Dyesebel'' () is a Filipino comic book character, conceived by Mars Ravelo and drawn by Elpidio Torres. Dyesebel is a mermaid, who eventually gains full human form through a deal with a sea-witch. Aside appearing in Pilipino Komiks, Dyesebel ...

Alice Dixson Jessie Alice Celones Dixson (; July 28, 1969) or often misspelled Alice Dixon, is a Filipino actress, commercial model and beauty queen who was crowned Binibining Pilipinas International 1986 and represented the Philippines at the Miss Intern ...

as Dyangga *

Rochelle Pangilinan Rochelle Pangilinan-Solinap (born May 23, 1982) is a Filipino actress, dancer and singer. She was part of the original lineup of the SexBomb Girls, a dance group that gained popularity through the variety show ''Eat Bulaga!''. In 2007, she brie ...

as Corella *

K Brosas Maria Carmela Brosas (born July 15, 1975), better known by her screen name Kakai or K Brosas, is a Filipino actress, comedian, singer and television host. She was born in the Philippines to an American father and a Filipina mother and was a b ...

as Divina Demonica *

Bearwin Meily Bearwin Meily is a Filipino comedian actor, TV host and a vlogger. Early career He started his career in 1995 as an extra in the top-rating sitcom ''Palibhasa Lalake'' in ABS-CBN and eventually became part of the regular cast until the show en ...

as Toy Master *

Maggie Wilson Margaret Nales Wilson (born March 15, 1989) is a Filipino-British model, beauty pageant titleholder, television presenter, entrepreneur, and former actress. She was crowned Binibining Pilipinas World 2007 and went on to represent the Philippin ...

Manananggal The ''manananggal'' () is a mythical creature in the Philippines that is able to separate its upper torso from the lower part of its body. Their fangs and wings give them a vampire-like appearance. Mythology The word ''manananggál'' is deri ...

Casting

Philippine actress

Iza Calzado Maria Izadora Ussher Calzado-Wintle (born August 12, 1982) is a Filipino actress. Known for her roles in blockbusters and independent films, particularly drama, psychological thriller and horror, she has received a selection of accolades, in ...

was first approached for the role of Darna. Due to the requirement for Calzado to lose weight to wear the costume, the role eventually went to actress

Ratings

According to

AGB Nielsen Philippines AGB Nielsen Media Research Philippines, commonly called AGB Nielsen, or AGB Nielsen Philippines, under The Nielsen Company is a global leader in audience measurement, market research firms, and data analytics, with a focus on media in the Phi ...

' Mega Manila household television ratings, the pilot episode of ''Darna'' earned a 47.1% rating, the highest rating for a pilot episode in Philippine television. The series had its highest rating on April 7, 2005 with a 52.1% rating.

Accolades

References

External links

* 2005 Philippine television series debuts 2005 Philippine television series endings Darna Filipino-language television shows GMA Network drama series Philippine action television series Philippine fantasy television series Superhero television series Television series directed by Dominic Zapata Television shows based on Philippine comics Television shows set in the Philippines {{Philippines-fantasy-tv-prog-stub