Harvey Bautista and AC Bonifacio are proving that they’re no strangers to versatility, seamlessly embodying the enigmatic 'villains' Wesley and Nikki in "High Street."
If you’ve been an old fan, you’ll know that their on-screen characters in “High Street,” the sequel to the hugely successful “Senior High,” are a departure from their usual personas, especially for AC, who is known for her natural bubbly demeanor. As she jokingly puts it, playing Nikki is killing her inside. Although she thinks that Nikki is a natural sweetheart, she understands that she must do her job as a spy and hacker.
“I’m not used to not smiling. I’m not used to not being happy. That’s what I’m trying to work on now,” she shared. Being paired with Harvey as the villain helps her because she learns from his professionalism and focus.
The two of them, as partner spies in the series, are learning the essence of teamwork, especially in the earliest scenes where the mysterious hackers in the story haven’t been revealed and they wanted to be extra cautious not to arouse audiences’ suspicion. But the amusing thing is how invested the viewers are – they’re picking up on even the smallest details, like Harvey’s nails sparking theories about their characters being the true spies or hackers in the story.
Viewers' intense investment in the series definitely adds pressure on the actors. For AC, in particular, this being her first antagonist role, she admits to feeling overwhelmed at times. Harvey echoes the same sentiment, acknowledging the weight of expectations, especially with the sequel's large fan base and their high regard for their co-stars or the original cast. Nevertheless, they've learned to turn that pressure into motivation.
AC and Harvey mentioned that while they were offered the roles, the current script is different from how it was first pitched to them, leaving them also uncertain about how the narrative will unfold. AC views her role as an opportunity for her growth as an actress, given the character’s mature nature. As for Harvey, when he was told he’d be playing a stalker, he started watching movies featuring similar characters and psychological thrillers with layers akin to Wesley’s. Personally, Harvey struggles to find redeeming qualities in Wesley, refusing to justify the character's negative actions.
In the series, they're working closely with Andrea Brillantes, who plays Sky, and they can attest that collaborating with her is an enjoyable process. For AC, it's also a valuable learning experience because she regards Andrea as a young veteran in the industry.
As Wesley and Nikki's connections to Dimples Romana's Tori deepen, more intriguing details are slowly coming to light. Behind the cameras, when the tension of the plot fades away, they feel nurtured by Dimples, who acts as a motherly figure on set. She not only assists the younger actors with their scenes but also shares valuable life advice. They're truly amazed by how deeply she immerses herself in the scenes. They notice that after her collaboration or discussion with Director Onat Diaz, their vision for each scene becomes even better.
Just for fun, they were asked which other character they'd like to trade with or portray if given the chance. Harvey finds Juan Karlos Labajo’s Gino's arc particularly intriguing this season, caught between two opposing camps. Meanwhile, AC thinks playing Xyriel Manabat’s Roxy would be both challenging and enjoyable. She thinks portraying a single mother in a series, despite not being one in real life, presents a different kind of ball game.
There's definitely a lot more to look forward to in "High Street." So, let's make sure not to miss any episodes of this trending series airing weeknights on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, TV5, and A2Z.