Dolly De Leon Joins Dennis Trillo In Cast Of CreaZion Studios’ Series ‘Severino: The First Serial Killer’

EXCLUSIVE: Filipino producer-distributor CreaZion Studios is unveiling a slate of film and TV productions here in Cannes, including Severino: The First Serial Killer, which has Dolly De Leon joining Dennis Trillo in the cast.

Scheduled to start shooting in September, the series tells the true story of Catholic priest Severino Mallari, who predated Jack The Ripper by killing 57 people during the Spanish colonial era of the Philippines.

Trillo is playing Severino, while De Leon will play his mother, in what looks set to be one of her darkest roles yet. Severino believed his mother was bewitched and that he could cure her condition by killing people. 

Yam Laranas, known for horror films The Echo and The Road, is directing the series, which has been scripted by Dodo Dayao (Cattleya Killer), Rona Co (Hello, Love, Goodbye) and Rody Vera (Die Beautiful). 

De Leon has been working between the US and the Philippines since her Golden Globes and BAFTA-nominated role in Cannes Palme d’Or winner Triangle Of Sadness. She recently filmed with Nicole Kidman on the second season of Nine Perfect Strangers in Germany. Trillo and De Leon previously starred together in Erik Matti’s On The Job 2: The Missing Eight. 

Trillo also stars in CreaZion Studios’ Everything About My Wife, a Filipino remake of Argentinian hit Un Novio Para Mi Mujer, which is in post-production for a late 2024 release.

Jennylyn Mercado (Rosario) and Sam Milby (The Gifted) also star in the film about a man trapped in a loveless marriage who enlists the help of a local Lothario to seduce his wife. Remakes have also been produced in Spain, Chile, Mexico, Italy, India, Vietnam and Korea. 

Launched in 2023 by chairman Rex Tiri, president RJ Agustin and chief creative officer Real Florido, CreaZion aims to produce Filipino content that is successful in its home market but also reaches international audiences. The company also acquires films and distributed Priscilla in the Philippines and other Southeast Asian territories. 

“Our strategy is to enter co-productions from an early stage so our partners can share their vision on how to develop the material in terms of story, quality and technical aspects,” Agustin