SINGAPORE, MAY 25, 2015 – HBO Asia today announced that production for the new HBO Asia Original Series, HALFWORLDS, begins this week. Developed in-house, the eight-part hour-long series is an Asian dark thriller starring an ensemble cast of leading Asian actors premiering exclusively on HBO at the end of this year.
A fantastical tale of love, redemption and betrayal set in present day Jakarta, HALFWORLDS is about a young street artist who uncovers her true origins when she finds herself unwittingly caught in a battle between humans and demons. Renowned Indonesian filmmaker Joko Anwar (Kala; Ritual) makes his television debut as director of all eight episodes of the series.
“HALFWORLDS is a first of its kind series in Asia boasting an ensemble of acting, musical and artistic talents from the region,” said Jonathan Spink, CEO, HBO Asia. “We are proud to be collaborating with visionary director Joko Anwar, the perfect choice for this latest HBO Asia Original series.”
HALFWORLDS stars an ensemble cast of Asian actors including Indonesians Salvita Decorte in her breakout role, Arifin Putra (The Raid 2; Macabre), Reza Rahadian (Habibie & Ainun; Guru Bangsa: Tjokroaminoto), Aimee Saras (Musical Onrop), Adinia Wirasti (Tentang Dia; Laura & Marsha), Hannah Al-Rashid (Ritual; V/H/S/2); Tara Basro (Catatan (Harian) Si Boy; Pendekar Tongkat Emas), Alex Abbad (The Raid 2), Ario Bayu (Soekarno; HBO Asia’s Serangoon Road), and Verdi Solaiman (The Raid; Java Heat); as well as Singaporean Nathan Hartono (Musical Spring Awakening) and Malaysian Bront Palarae (Terbaik Dari Langit; Psiko: Si Pencuri Hati). Guest starring 8-year old Malaysian Puteri Balqis (Balqis), best actress winner of the 2014 Asian Television Awards.
Written by Collin Chang and Joko Anwar, HALFWORLDS is produced by HBO Asia with Infinite Studios and will be filmed at their soundstage and backlot in Batam as well as in Jakarta. This is HBO Asia’s fourth Original production after DEAD MINE (2012), SERANGOON ROAD (2013) and GRACE (2014).
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About HBO ASIA
Singapore-based HBO Asia brings the best of Hollywood to Asia first through its exclusive licensing deals with major Hollywood and independent studios including Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, Universal Studios, Warner Bros. and Lionsgate. HBO Asia has proprietary and award-winning HBO and HBO Asia Original programmes that are produced exclusively for HBO viewers. Wholly owned by HBO (a Time Warner company), HBO Asia reaches 23 territories across Asia and offers a bouquet of channels and services including 24-hour commercial-free subscription movie channels in standard-definition and high-definition – HBO, HBO SIGNATURE, HBO FAMILY, HBO HITS, CINEMAX and RED – as well as HBO GO and HBO ON DEMAND. HBO Asia is also the exclusive distributor of BabyFirst in Asia. Log on to www.hboasia.com for more information.