A new Filipino television drama is set to bring Southeast Asian production crews and talent to Prague, further underscoring the Czech capital’s growing appeal as an international filming location. A Secret in Prague, an upcoming TV5 series led by Andrea Brillantes and Enrique Gil, has reportedly begun location work in the city ahead of its planned 2026 release.
The series, which blends romance and thriller elements, marks the first on-screen pairing of Brillantes and Gil and one of the few Filipino television productions to be filmed largely in Central Europe. Cast members arrived in Prague in early February and are expected to spend several weeks shooting key scenes across the city.
For Prague, the production adds to a steady flow of international television projects choosing the Czech Republic for its historic architecture, established production infrastructure, and experienced local crews. While the country is best known for hosting major European and U.S. film shoots, A Secret in Prague reflects a broader diversification of inbound productions from Asia.
Filipino series looks to Prague as a narrative and visual setting
Produced as part of TV5’s 2026 programming slate, A Secret in Prague centers on Michael, a Filipino migrant seeking better opportunities abroad, whose journey brings him to the Czech capital. There, he reunites with Kiara, a figure from his past, setting off a story that combines personal history, crime, and emotional conflict.
According to earlier announcements made at TV5’s Thanksgiving Trade Event in November, the series builds toward a pivotal confrontation between the two leads, underscoring its mix of romantic drama and suspense. The show is backed by MQuest Ventures and represents a significant investment for the Kapatid network, which has positioned the project as one of its flagship dramas for 2026.
For Brillantes, the production marks her first television series filmed outside the Philippines. She has previously visited Prague privately, but this is her first time working in the city professionally. Gil, by contrast, is visiting Prague for the first time, describing the project as the result of long-term planning that has taken several years to realize.
The cast also includes Kim Domingo and Cedrick Juan, who portray special agents in the series. Both actors have said they researched the Czech Republic in advance, citing the country’s castles, food, and cultural traditions as points of interest alongside their work commitments.
Prague’s continued pull for international television production
While A Secret in Prague is a Filipino-language series aimed primarily at domestic and overseas Filipino audiences, its Prague setting plays a central narrative role rather than serving as a generic European backdrop. This aligns with a wider trend in international television toward using real-world locations as integral story elements, rather than stand-ins.
Prague’s appeal for foreign producers lies not only in its preserved historic cityscape but also in practical considerations, including competitive production costs, experienced local service companies, and long-standing state support for audiovisual production. These factors have traditionally attracted European and Hollywood projects, but Asian television producers have increasingly begun to explore Czech locations as well.
For the cast, filming in Prague also carries thematic weight. Juan has described the series as reflecting aspects of the Filipino experience abroad, touching on migration, justice, family, and personal identity. Those themes are reinforced by the choice of a real European city where many Filipinos live and work.
As filming commences, A Secret in Prague adds another chapter to Prague’s evolving role as a truly global production hub—one that now extends beyond cinema into international television drama from markets well outside Europe.
Lead photo: Andrea Brillantes in Prague in December 2024 via Instagram / Andrea Brillantes
