The long wait is over.

Mars Ravelo’s Darna is set to fly anew, this, via a new TV series as produced by ABS-CBN Entertainment.

Starring Jane de Leon, it is set to premiere on Monday (Aug. 15), 8 pm.

Jane is excited about it, noting how the cast and the rest of the production did their best to come up with a fresh, new take on the iconic Pinoy heroine’s origin story.

“Maraming-marami po kayong aabangan pagdating sa effects, costumes, villains, at syempre sa bagong istorya ng ‘Darna,’” she told us during a recent media conference. 

Note the series took years to finally become a reality.

After numerous upheavals, including the coming and going of many potential Darna’s prior to Jane, it has finally led to this.

“Ito na po ang pagkakataon namin para ipakita sa buong mundo ang pinaghirapan ng production, lahat ng cast, mapa-staff and directors. Matagal na rin po itong hinintay ng sambayanang Pilipino,” Jane added.

Asked how it feels being at the center of it all, Jane related, “It’s overwhelming. Grabe ang pressure.”

But just like Darna, Jane simply buckled down and did her best, focused on living up to expectations.

“Ang inisip ko na lang ay ‘yung magampanan ko siya ng buong puso at tapang para naman kahit paano matuwa ang mga taong matagal nang nagaabang.”

The series will chronicle the life of Narda, an emergency medical technician (EMT) and a loving breadwinner to the Custodio family, who is destined to become the next protector of the powerful stone that enables her to transform into a superhero who has special abilities to help those in danger.

Joining Jane in the series are: Iza Calzado as Narda’s mother Leonor, the first Darna; Janella Salvador as vlogger and lawyer Regina and Darna’s mortal enemy Valentina; Joshua Garcia as a police officer named Brian; Zaijian Jaranilla as Narda’s geeky younger brother Ding. 

 Also part of the series are Paolo Gumabao, Rio Locsin, Richard Quan, Simon Ibarra, Jeffrey Santos, Eric Fructuoso, Levy Ignacio, and many more. 

Darna’s modern-day TV adaptation, based on the creation of Pinoy comics legend Mars Ravelo, is directed by the Master Director Chito S. Roño, Avel Sunpongco, and Benedict Mique and produced by ABS-CBN’s JRB Creative Production unit.

Chito has nothing but good words for Jane.

“I’m very pleased not only that she is focused, not only that she concentrated, she has done very well as an actress for ‘Darna,’” he said.  

Vilma Santos, who starred in four Darna movies years back, gave a surprise video message for Jane at the event.

“Yung pagiging Darna, relevant yan, lalo na ngayon na napupuno tayo ng challenges sa buhay. Ang karakter niya ay nagbibigay ng inspirasyon sa mga tao. Jane, na sa’yo na ang bato! Pangalaan mo yang mabuti. Maging ehemplo ka ng henerasyon ngayon.” 

The official soundtrack of “Darna” titled “Patuloy Lang Ang Lipad” as performed by BGYO will be launched soon.

The new series will air from Monday to Friday on Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, Jeepney TV, and TV5 and will also be available on Kapamilya Online Live, iWantTFC, and The Filipino Channel.