Rhian Ramos Returns to 'Fantaseryes' as the New Villain in 'Encantadia'

Truth be told, Rhian Ramos had been avoiding doing fantaseryes. But when she was offered the role of the main villain, Mitena, in GMA 7's highly anticipated primetime series "Encantadia Chronicles: Sang'gre," saying no was no longer an option.

- Nathalie M. Tomada

Not that she was given the chance to turn it down, anyway. She was the first and only choice, according to creator Suzette Doctolero, who knew the role was Rhian's after watching her acting performance in the 2023 mystery-thriller "Royal Blood."

Mitena is the twin sister of Cassiopeia (portrayed by Solenn Heussaff), the first queen of Lireo in the 2016 "Encantadia" series.

"Sang'gre" is the latest installment or book within the "Encantadia" universe, which has since become an important part of Philippine pop culture after introducing in 2004 this imagined world of elemental kingdoms, warrior princesses or sang'gres, and magical gems.

Mitena is one of the TV saga's latest characters, alongside the newest keepers of the brilyantes or gems—Flamarra (Faith Da Silva), Deia (Angel Guardian), Adamus (Kelvin Miranda) and Terra (Bianca Umali).

"I couldn't believe it. I was very, very flattered, really—because of the kind of role that it was. Actually, at that time, I was actively avoiding doing fantasy series. I wanted to do more drama and kind of cement myself in that genre," Rhian told The STAR.

"But when she told me the story, this was not a role I could pass up. I loved the whole journey of the character. They really gave me a lot to work with. Buong-buo yung character, from beginning to end. I was just so excited. I told myself, No. 1, this is the right project to return to a fantaserye and No. 2, to be part of the 'Encantadia' world."

Despite the initial hesitation, in retrospect, Rhian said, "No regret at all (in accepting to play Mitena). In fact, I thank myself (laughs). I thank GMA, and I thank everyone who thought I could do this. When I think of who Mitena is, she is so far from who I am. I can't believe they wrote her and thought I could do it."