Matt Evans adjusting well in new network

CEBU, Philippines — Many of us are familiar with taking the proverbial leap of faith. Every now and then we push ourselves out of our comfort zone and chase new horizons. That’s what actor Matt Evans wants to pursue right now, as he started the year with his first regular series since turning Kapuso.

“Sobrang kailangan na positive ka palagi. Alagaan mo yung sarili mo. Kasi nung 2017, parang tutok ako sa kids and family ko, hindi masyado sa sarili ko. Kaya nilalaan ko yung 2018 para sa sarili ko para naman may improvement,” the 31-year-old father of three says of his plans in an interview with Cebu press.

Matt, who last starred in the drama “The Greatest Love,” bid farewell from ABS-CBN talent arm Star Magic in September 2017 after 11 years. Since then, the Filipino-American actor appeared as a guest in GMA Network shows such as “Pepito Manaloto,” “Tadhana” and “Dear Uge.”

He explained of his decision: “Gusto ko lang po i-explore ang talent ko kasi medyo matagal na rin po ako. Gusto ko lang din i-explore ang potential ko po,” Matt quips, adding that his transition has been very smooth thus far.

“Hindi naman po mahirap kasi sobrang relax. Yung mag-a-adjust ka sa mga tao, nandoon naman po talaga yan. Yung kailangan may pakisamahan. Tsaka may mga artista naman dito na nakasama na namin dati,” Matt says.

The former Pinoy Big Brother housemate currently stars as one of the antagonists in the primetime GMA show “Sherlock Jr.” In contrast to his usual cheery roles, Matt is Dindo Carazo, a character who is on the bad side. Directed by Rechie del Carmen, “Sherlock Jr.” is loosely based on the concept of private detective Sherlock Holmes. It offers a light mix of comedy, action, mystery and drama.

“Sherlock Jr.” has rising actor Ruru Madrid in the title role. Ruru is an investigative reporter named Sherlock “Jack” Jackson Jr. Passionate and never one to back down to find the truth, Jack solves mysteries with his girlfriend Irene’s (Janine Gutierrez) dog Siri, a female golden retriever who goes by Serena and is voiced by Mikee Quintos. When Irene finds herself in trouble, setting the entire plot in pace, Jack, Siri, and Irene’s newfound friend Lily (Gabbie Garcia) decide to get to the bottom of the situation.

Matt’s Dindo Carazo, groomed to be a politician, is the arrogant son of Senator Lawrence Carazo (Tonton Gutierrez). The Carazos own the publishing company that Jack works for. Portraying a certain darkness in them, the Carazos abuse their power and are able to manipulate the stories they publish to better their personal agenda.

“Ako po dito si Dindo Carazo na anak ni Senator Carazo. Kami po yung nagmamay-ari sa publishing company na pinapasukan ni Jack [Ruru]. Doon na po kami hindi magkakasundo kasi kami medyo andoon sa bad side. Napaplantsa namin yung info, agressive kami. Medyo nama-manipulate namin yung balita tapos name-mislead yung tao. Doon kami nagka-clash ni Jack. Kasi si Jack ay matino na reporter and ito si Dindo, naiiba siya kapag hindi niya nakukuha ang gusto niya,” Matt explains.

Matt says that the very concept of what his and Tonton Gutierrez’s characters are trying to do is very dangerous in real life and has serious consequences for a lot of people, which is why others must be independent and vigilant when it comes to the information they take in.

“Mapapaisip po siguro sila [audience] dahil sa mga investigation. Maraming mangyayari and twists na kaabang-abang. Pinapakita rin po yung problema sa pamilya, and katatawanan. Malawak po kasi yung show. Sa family po matututunan niyo dito kung paano magmahalan, and kahit anong mangyari sa family ka rin babalik,” the former “Pedro Penduko” star muses when asked about their take on this retelling of the classic character creared by British author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Indeed, Matt has adjusted well in his new environment, often sharing jokes with co-star Ruru in between answering questions during this interview. Matt also shares how, like the show itself, the “Sherlock Jr.” set is lively and fun to work in.

“Sobrang relax, sobrang gaan po ng feeling. From the director, the staff, sa amin po sa set, sobrang relax. Walang dull moment. Hindi po namin inda yung mahahabang shoot. Minsan nga madaling araw na, matataas pa rin energy ng mga tao,” he says.

Matt has been married to Katrina Fariñas since 2013 and they share three kids: 10-year-old Hayden Tyler, four-year-old  Hayley Marley and two-year-old Ellie Madison. The family man loves talking about his children, and even has a few words to his co-stars when it comes to parenting, giving small doses of advice when the time comes that his colleagues also decide to settle down.

“Masaya po [family life]. Kinikwento ko po [with Ruru] in advance kung ano pwede gawin. Umuwi ng maaga, parang walang away, ganun,” chuckles Matt, who says that marriage has transformed him into a better man.

“Tsaka dapat maging responsible na tatay. Kasi ako sa mga bata talaga ako nakatutok. Kapag walang trabaho, walang work, nasa bahay po ako.”

Now that he’s having a fresh start, Matt is open to future projects that GMA might lay out for him. However, he muses that he might stay away from gay roles for now, saying that he is “gasgas” having played a number of similar characters.

Airing since late January of this year over the Kapuso Telebabad primetime block, “Sherlock Jr.” also stars Andre Paras, Roi Vinzon, Sharmaine Arnais, Kate Valdez, Rochelle Barameda, Alyana Asistio, and Sofia Pablo.