All-new ‘Fantasy Island’ series premieres on AXN Asia this February
Fantasy Island, an all-new modern fantasy drama reimagining the classic ’70s television series, will air locally in the Philippines this month on AXN Asia.
The ten-episode summer drama series will premiere regionally in Southeast Asia on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022.
The 2021 remake of the Golden Globes and Primetime Emmy-nominated original classic drama which originally ran from 1977 to 1984 has already been renewed for a second season at Fox.
Created by Elizabeth Craft and Sarah Fain (The 100, The Shield, Lie to Me), Fantasy Island introduces a strong female lead as the island’s host, providing a fresh perspective to the series.
The series pays homage to its roots with a modern twist and story themes of female empowerment.
Roselyn Sanchez (Without a Trace, Devious Maids) stars as Elena Roarke, the steward of the mysterious island and the grand-niece of the iconic Mr. Roarke (Ricardo Montalban) from the original series, who sets aside her own ambitions, and even the love of her life, to uphold her family’s legacy.
In each episode, pilot and head of island transportation Javier, played by John Gabriel Rodriquez (Miranda’s Rights, Rosewood), flies guests from all walks of life to a luxury resort on the beautiful island to live out their fantasies, albeit for a price.
Just like in the original series, in Fantasy Island, literally any fantasy requested by guests is fulfilled, although they rarely turn out as expected.
Through the medium of their fantasies, important life lessons are presented to each guest. But when a fantasy becomes too overwhelming and it doesn’t play out as expected for the guest, Roarke enters their fantasy to offer advice.
“Having a woman in charge of the island is so meaningful for me, because it is our time, and I’m super honored to be the one carrying that responsibility,” said Sanchez in a special behind-the-scenes featurette.
Aside from having a strong female character taking charge of the island, the “female-forward” series also has women working behind the scenes, as writers, directors, and production staff.
Media had a chance to screen the first episode where Roarke welcomes local morning show host Christine Collins, played by Bellamy Young (Scandal, Prodigal Son), who fulfils a simple fantasy of indulgence to eat anything she wants without gaining weight until she realizes she's hungry for much more than food.
Roarke’s other guests includes a terminally ill Ruby Akuda, played by Kiara Barnes (The Bold and the Beautiful) who arrives on Fantasy Island with her husband and is given a new lease on life.
The couple enjoy their fantasy but are presented with a life changing decision towards the end.
We’re bringing your much-needed island vacation closer! ??
— AXN Asia (@axnasia) February 9, 2022
Escape into the magical realm of Fantasy Island, the place where all your deepest desires and fantasies are fulfilled.
Watch Fantasy Island premiering on Feb 17!#AXNFantasyIsland #WhatsYourWish #AXNAsia pic.twitter.com/wQAEZMKPOC
The series was shot entirely on the lush island of Puerto Rico, adding to the realism and “fantasy element” to the series, which viewers will find light and amusing to watch, especially during these pandemic times.
“It’s really a place where we can go right now to escape. We want people to spend an hour just having fun. Seeing a beautiful, magical world where anything is possible,” said series creators Craft and Fain, who also served as executive producers and writers for the show.
Fantasy Island promises to provide an immersive escape that will transport viewers into a tropical reality, where each episode will tell emotional, provocative stories about people who arrive with dreams and desires, and depart enlightened and transformed.
Fantasy Island will make its first and exclusive Asia Premiere on Feb. 17. New episodes will air Thursday s at 9:45 pm on AXN (Cignal Ch. 121, SKYcable HD Ch. 247, SKYcable SD Ch. 49, GSAT Ch. 57, and various provincial cable operators nationwide).