From New York training to a breakout anti-hero role in “Pamilya Sagrado,” Grae opens up about chasing real craft and political commentary in his work.
“What I’m looking for is the meat of the acting itself,” actor Grae Fernandez said from New York. “I’m not here for fame or the clout. I’m an actor.”
Grae has been in the US for three years now, quietly rebuilding himself from the ground up. He just graduated from the Stella Adler Studio of Acting after completing a two-year professional program—the same institution associated with legendary alumni like Marlon Brando, Robert De Niro, and Benicio del Toro.
Prioritizing craft over love teams
“My mom was able to come to New York for my graduation,” he said. “Now I have OPT (optional practical training), a work permit that lets me work here for a year because I graduated in the States.”
Training abroad wasn’t a whim; it was a course correction. In an industry that often funnels young actors toward love teams and easy branding, Grae wanted something else.
“In Korea, even if you’re famous, you can’t just jump into acting without training,” he told radar Entertainment in a Zoom meet. “In the UK, if you don’t go to a school like RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art), you won’t even get an audition. That’s the world standard. We don’t have that system yet in the Philippines.”
So while local show biz once mapped out a love-team path for him—“There was supposed to be a Grae-Kira love team,” he said—he chose to reroute.
“I said I don’t want to be aligned with the love team. I want the project to be the priority. Grae Fernandez, the actor, the creative. The person who collaborates with everyone.”
And then “Pamilya Sagrado” happened.
The breakout anti-hero in ‘Pamilya Sagrado’
During his summer break in New York, he was chosen by the late Deo Endrinal for Justin Sagrado—a dark, complicated anti-hero role in the political thriller “Pamilya Sagrado.” The series explored themes of political dynasties, corruption, and fraternity violence.
“When I heard the themes, I was like, ‘I need to do this,’” he recalled. “It’s political commentary. It’s about power. It’s about what’s actually happening in the country.”
He recalls watching the national headlines from abroad and seeing the eerie overlap. “I don’t want to get into specifics, but the issues in the show—corruption, political dynasties—those became the biggest issues in the Philippines the following year.”
That urgency made the role irresistible. Justin Sagrado isn’t a heartthrob. He’s reckless, privileged, dangerous, and, Grae said, is painfully real.
“Even if just ten people watched the show and researched afterwards, that already matters. You plant something. You spark something. That’s the power of storytelling.”
International Recognition
The show’s scale also surprised him. They filmed in Baguio, shot in a real mansion, and met the mayor. “We were thankful for how the city welcomed us,” he said. “Everything looked grand. It helped us tell the story.”
And the reception? Piolo Pascual, who plays his father in the series, won Best Actor at the 38th PMPC Star Awards in March. “Props to Dreamscape and the creatives,” he added. “Sir Rondel (Lindayag), the whole team, they built something powerful.”
Meanwhile, Grae won Best Supporting Actor (Series, Bronze Champion) at the 2024 TAG Awards Chicago for his performance in the political thriller.
Still, Grae’s clearest pride isn’t tied to trophies or trending episodes. It’s tied to the version of himself he’s slowly, deliberately shaping.
I said I don’t want to be aligned with the love team. I want the project to be the priority. Grae Fernandez, the actor, the creative. The person who collaborates with everyone.
Grae Fernandez
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