'Trese' director-producer Jay Oliva defends Liza Soberano's voice acting in 'Trese': 'It was better than I could have imagined'
Trese director and producer Jay Oliva took to social media to address the comments about Liza Soberano’s voice acting in the animation show.
This comes after several netizens and viewers commented on social media about Liza’s voice acting performance, saying the actress’ portrayal of the titular babaylan Alexandra Trese is “monotonous.”
In his tweets on Tuesday, June 15, Oliva said that Alexandra Trese is supposed to be “cold and unemotional,” as explained to him by Trese creator Budjette Tan.
“He (Budjette) basically said that she’s like Batman/Bruce Wayne. She’s cold and unemotional at times because of all the things she’s experienced in life,” Oliva tweeted.
I’ve cast A LOT of Batman/Bruce Wayne’s in my career so I know a thing or two about tortured souls who persevere to do right and defend those who cannot defend themselves. Both @shaymitch and @lizasoberano brought unique performances that was better than I could have imagined. ?
— Jay Oliva (@jayoliva1) June 15, 2021
On a side note, the other language actors who play Alexandra are pretty dang awesome too! Watching it in the other languages I actually forgot I worked on the show and it felt so new and fresh! @Netflix dubbing team did an incredible job! ??
— Jay Oliva (@jayoliva1) June 15, 2021
Oliva, who has directed many Comics animated shows and movies such as Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox and Young Justice, noted that he has cast several Batman/Bruce Wayne voice actors in his career, “so I know a thing or two about tortured souls who persevere to do right and defend those who cannot defend themselves.”
He commended Liza and Shay Mitchell, who voiced Alexandra Trese in the English dub of the show, saying they both “brought unique performances that was better than I could have imagined.”
He added, "So whether you like one more than the other or if you like them both, I think the thing to celebrate the most is that we have brought Filipino mythology and lore to the world and world is responding by how much they love it! Thank you Philippines, your support made this happen.”
Earlier this week, professional voice actor Inka Magnaye also defended Liza’s voice acting performance in Trese, saying that the actress is perfect” to voice the lead character Alexandra Trese.
Trese, an anime-inspired show about healer-warrior Alexandra Trese as she brings balance between humanity and the supernatural, premiered on streaming service Netflix on Friday, June 11.