MANILA: Broadway icon Lea Salonga is set to make her mark on the small screen once again, this time as a guest star in the fourth season of Fox’s hit crime drama “The Cleaning Lady,” which premiered on Tuesday (March 25).
The Tony Award-winning Filipina star will showcase a different side of her acting prowess, stepping into the shoes of a character she described as “not so nice” and undeniably “trouble.”
The series, which has gained a loyal following for its gripping narrative and nuanced portrayal of the immigrant experience, centres around Thony De La Rosa (Elodie Yung), a Cambodian Filipino doctor-turned-cleaning lady who becomes entangled in the criminal underworld to save her ailing son.
Throughout its run, the show has been lauded for its representation of South-East Asians, with Filipina Australian actress Martha Millan (who plays Fiona) as one of the central figures.
In an exclusive interview with Inquirer.net USA, Salonga expressed her excitement about joining the cast, particularly highlighting the strong and empowered women featured in the series.
“It’s incredible. One, South-East Asian leads, South-East Asian female leads, and this is their fourth season?!” she marvelled, praising the show’s commitment to authentic representation.
As for her character, Salonga teased that she’ll be bringing a darker edge to the series. “When you first meet her, you can’t put your finger on it. You don’t like her and she’s trouble,” she said.
The actress further admitted that she relished the opportunity to embrace her villainous side, calling it “a lot of fun” to play a morally ambiguous role.
Beyond her guest appearance, Salonga also celebrated the growing presence of Filipinos in Hollywood and Broadway.
She revealed that on March 31, four Filipino artists will be leading major Broadway productions simultaneously: herself, Darren Criss, Nicole Scherzinger and Eva Noblezada.
“We’re here, we’re doing excellent work. It’s always the best foot forward. It’s always showing up whenever [there’s] space we occupy,” she affirmed.
Salonga takes centre stage in Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s “Old Friends,” co-starring with two-time Tony Award winner Bernadette Peters.
“Old Friends” features songs from legendary musicals like “Sweeney Todd,” “Into the Woods,” “Company,” “Gypsy” and more.
It provides the audience with a rare opportunity to experience a living history of Sondheim’s lasting impact on Broadway, as the carefully curated performances serve as a tribute to his legacy and influence on performers.
Previews began on Tuesday, and opening night is April 8.
With Salonga’s much-anticipated role, “The Cleaning Lady” continues to spotlight South-East Asian talent while delivering its signature mix of crime, family drama and social commentary. - Philippines Daily Inquirer/ANN
