In case you haven’t stumbled upon the cinephile side of social media, news flash: Dolly de Leon is now everywhere! The Filipino actress has been making waves in the international film scene ever since she appeared in Triangle of Sadness, a pivotal project that only proved to be the beginning of her global domination.
But before she became Hollywood’s newest independent film darling, Dolly was a regular figure in the homegrown scene. From soap operas to award-winning indies, here are just some handpicked films and series to get your start on this acting standout.
13 Films and TV Series to Watch Starring Dolly de Leon
1. Aswang (2011)
A remake of the 1992 Aswang, the new version sees two children witness their parents’ murder by the hands of a subspecies of aswangs called Abwak. Their race is on the brink of extinction, and the secret to their rebirth can only stem from its queen, Lovi Poe’s Hasmin.
Also starring: Lovi Poe, Paulo Avelino, Albie Casiño, Precious Lara Quigaman
2. Magpakailanman (2014, 2022)
Acting chops are often tested on drama anthology shows, and Dolly is no exception. The actress appeared in the 2014 episode Ang Aking Kakaibang Pag-ibig, which touched upon the relationship between Jing (Chynna Ortaleza) and Clemen (Isabelle Daza). In the more recent episode My Kidney Belongs to You: The Philip Maala and Irish Maniwang Love Story (Rocco Nacino and Sanya Lopez), the two titular characters foster a romance despite adversity.
Also starring: Chynna Ortaleza, Isabelle Daza, Gloria Romero, Allen Dizon, Angela Alarcon
3. Gasping for Air (2016)
A talent manager spots the potential of Luis (Carlos Dala)’s younger sister Lulu (Barbara Miguel) on the fishing island of Silag, after making her rounds in numerous amateur singing contests. When she leaves for Manila, Luis loses communication with her, prompting the boy to begin his search for the lost girl.
Also starring: Carlos Dala, Barbara Miguel, Therese Malvar, Sue Prado
4. Verdict (2019)
The 2019 film sheds light on a domestic abuse case, as a wife seeks justice for the crimes against her and her daughter. Directed by critically acclaimed Raymund Ribay Gutierrez, the feature film was spotlighted at the Toronto International Film Festival and the Venice Film Festival, cinching the Special Jury Prize.
Also starring: Max Eigenmann, Kristoffer King, Jordhen Suan
5. Jhon en Martian (2019)
Interplanetary love is real in the Arci Muñoz-starring romantic comedy, where bad luck-stricken Jhon (Pepe Herrera) is on his last delivery errand before quitting his job to start a new life abroad. Not all goes well, however, when a Martian fugitive (Arci) mistakes his delivery box for a spaceship.
Also starring: Pepe Herrera, Arci Muñoz, Rufa Mae Quinto, Mon Confiado
6. Midnight in a Perfect World (2020)
Set in a sci-fi version of Manila, the utopian bubble bursts when people start disappearing in the wake of mysterious blackouts. Four friends attempt to prove that it’s a hoax, until they soon discover what lurks among them.
Also starring: Jasmin Curtis-Smith, Glaiza De Castro, Anthony Falcon, Dino Pastrano
7. On the Job (2021)
Dolly isn’t a stranger to internationally award-winning projects! In the series version of the Emmy award-nominated On the Job, the actress portrays Inday Arcega, one pawn among the many dynamic characters in the crime syndicate drama.
Also starring: John Arcilla, Piolo Pascual, Gerald Anderson, Angel Aquino
8. Folklore (2021)
The HBO original dabbles into the mythology of Asian countries, with one of them delving into the mangkukulam and albularyo often told in the grandparents' tales, directed through the lens of veteran filmmaker Erik Matti. In the episode 7 Days of Hell, Dolly plays righteous police officer Lourdes, whose son becomes a victim of a curse.
Also starring: Dido de la Paz, Mon Confiado, Roshson Barman
9. Historya ni Ha (2021)
It’s 1957, and Filipino vaudeville icon Hernando Alamada (John Lloyd Cruz) is on the last leg of his performance tour aboard the Mayflower cruise ship. The black-and-white Lav Diaz film sees the Philippines grieved by the sudden of then-President Ramon Magsaysay, as the country tries to get by with its still poverty-stricken barrios and their colorful characters—among them being Dolly’s Dahlia.
Also starring: John Lloyd Cruz, Teroy Guzman, Mae Paner
10. Triangle of Sadness (2022)
Touted as Dolly’s breakthrough film, Dolly plays Abigail, a cleaning crew member in a luxury cruise filled to the brim with ultra-rich passengers, including supermodel couple Carl (Harris Dickinson) and Yaya (Charlbi Dean). When a storm hits the boat, the billionaires find themselves shipwrecked on a desert island, where social hierarchies are tested, and Abigail becomes the new “captain.”
Also starring: Harris Dickinson, Charlbi Dean, Woody Harrelson
11. A Very Good Girl (2023)
Dolly dances a dangerous tango with Kathryn Bernardo in artfully-done black comedy A Very Good Girl. She plays malevolent business owner Molly Suzara, whom Mercy, played by Kathryn, loathes for the death of her mother. An intricately-planned course of revenge takes place as one revelation unfolds after the other.
Also starring: Jake Ejercito, Chie Filomeno, Kaori Oinuma
12. Nine Perfect Strangers (2025)
Picking up from the events of the first season, Masha (Nicole Kidman) reprises her post as a wellness guide at an Alpine resort. There, she encounters Dolly's character Agnes, a retired nun who seems to have more to her than just giving up the cloak.
Also starring: Aras Aydin, Christine Baranski, King Princess
13. Avatar: The Last Airbender (TBA)
The journey of "Gaang" continues as they trek into the Kingdoms of Earth, Fire, and Air. A pair of airbenders that fall into their path are twins Lo and Li, who will both be skillfully brought to the live action world by Dolly.
Also starring: Gordon Cormier, Kiawentiio, Ian Ousley, Dallas Liu, Miya Cech
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