Set in post-war Singapore in the 1960s, Mata Mata follows the life of three policewomen who fight for justice and stand up against powerful secret societies in what was deemed to be a man’s world.
Premiering right after the National Day Parade, the 18-episode drama is the first season (1949 - 1965) of a three-part series, inspired by the life of the first female Assistant Superintendent, Mary Quintal Nee Voon. Expect lots of action, drama and complicated love stories from this bunch of upcoming stars!
(More photos from the media session here in our Gallery!)
Synopsis
Set in post-war Singapore, the premiering season is inspired by real life events as seen through the eyes of three fictitious women police officers from the first Women Constabulary in Singapore. Loosely-based on the life of Mary Quintal Nee Voon - the first female Assistant Superintendent in 1961, this season depicts the triumphs, trials and tribulations faced by these brave young women.
A crime drama set in the turbulent times of 1950s Singapore; Mata Mata chronicles the thrilling and dangerous careers of three extraordinary policewomen.
Mata Mata starts singer-actress Cheryl Wee, fresh faced Daniella Sya, Surai stars Nadiah M. Din and Erwin Shah Dawson, regional TV Presenter-model Jason Godfrey in his first dramra series. This show also starts familiar faces George Young, Paul Foster, Daren Tan, Silver Ang, Aileen Tan and more.
The debut episode of “Mata Mata” airs 9 August, right after the National Day Parade on Channel 5.
To prepare for their roles, Project Superstar Season 2 winner Daren Tan hit the gym often to portray his role as Lim Seng Hock, the secret society member who secretly aids and protects Elizabeth in her police work. Playing DSP Graham Fletcher, Paul Foster joked that he essentially needed to grow a mustache.
“My shining moment? My mustache,” he laughed.
Foster was not the only one who joked a lot. Even during the media session, Jason Godfrey, also known as ‘J-God’ by his fellow cast members and George Young were the ones who definitely brought the energy up.
Tan said, “For George and Jason, their energy are really non-stop!” To which Silver Ang who plays a cabaret dancer in the drama continued, “Ya! They just keep talking!”
Tan and Ang weren’t the only ones who concur to the statement. The three leading actresses Cheryl Wee, Nadiah M. Din and Daniella Sya said that they truly enjoyed their company.
“Sometimes you work everyday and shoot every single day. It gets really tiring and it grows into you but because of the fun cast and the amazing crew, it gets the burden off your shoulders,” 23 year-old Nadiah M. Din who plays Hani Rahmat said.
“They wake us up!” Wee added.
Wee plays the feisty and unconventional lead character Elizabeth Lee in the police force. Citing ‘stubbornness’ as one of the similarities of her on-screen and off-screen, she felt that she matured along with her role.
“I like Elizabeth. I think she is very fun and she is braver than Cheryl Wee herself. She’s not courageous to do a lot of things, but playing her has given me opportunities to play a lot of different things.”
On her role as Tan Siew Lan, Malaysian actress and TV presenter Daniella Sya said, “I really admire her (Siew Lan) a lot, but what I don’t like is how she is a cry baby. She doesn't give up easily but how she handle things sometimes, I don’t really agree with it.”
Why you should catch Mata Mata? The ladies say it's all about the pretty ladies and them kicking butts!
The debut episode of “Mata Mata” airs 9 August, right after the National Day Parade on Channel 5.
Subsequent episodes will air every Monday from August 12, 8pm.