8. Jimmy Santos as Captain Guererro

It takes one look, and you’d know the man is a perfect fit. Jimmy Santos has always been good at playing kindly, gentle-giant type of characters, and his versatility at being perfectly bilingual (!) is just an added bonus.

PROS: He can also play the live-action version, easily!
CONS: Who needs an English voice actor when you already have the Jimmy Santos? He can even voice Santelmo, too, because that’s what Saints do.

7. Dingdong Dantes as Anton Trese

While Anton Trese is Alexandra Trese’s dad, he doesn’t sound old, by any means. Wizened, sure. Old, never. Dingdong Dantes might look more like the Datu, but he definitely can sound like a grizzled veteran of the supernatural if he wanted to. If all else fails, mocap his facial expressions, and Anton Trese’s character becomes exponentially wilder.

PROS: He’s versatile as heck. He can be serious, funny, or dramatic in a snap.
CONS: Jun Urbano of Mongolian Barbecue fame could use the gig.

6. Long Mejia and Dagul as Crispin and Basilio

While plenty of people will swear by having Michael V and Ogie Alcasid as the Kambal, it’s pretty easy to see why Long and Dagul would play off each other perfectly. Their mostly improvised comedic banter is an easy fit with the playful characters already established.

PROS: Endless banter for hours!
CONS: Dagul might actually be a better Hank, though.

5. Leo Martinez as Mayor Sta. Maria

Come on. This casting writes itself. While people know Mr. Martinez as a comedian, his turn as the very terrifying general in On The Job should handwave any doubts about his ability to pull this off. His experience playing Congressman Manhik-Manaog for decades also definitely adds to how insanely qualified he is for this role.

PROS: Everything. Everything!
CONS: Nothing. Nothing!

4. Diether Ocampo as Maliksi

We’ve seen suggestions ranging from Vice Ganda to Empoy, but Maliksi is supposed to be a stunner. Well, anyone who’s seen Diether Ocampo in Rakenrol knows that his turn as Jacci Rocha was nothing short of genius. He can just affect the same fake accent, and Maliksi’s hotness factor would shoot through the roof.

PROS: And if you make him wear that scarf of his? Game over!
CONS: Hearing Diether Ocampo isn’t quite as much of a treat for his fans as it is for them to actually see him.

3. Lou Veloso as Nuno

If you think that there’s any actor who could have fit Nuno’s role better, you’re more than welcome to let us know. After searching high and low, though, it does seem like this was a match made in heaven.

PROS: Lou Veloso has played so many Nuno-like characters in the past, it’s a no-brainer!
CONS: Can Lou Veloso handle eating so much Chocnut? Isn’t he diabetic?

2. Ben Tulfo as Datu Talagbusao

Gardo Verzosa? Nah. There’s nothing more appropriate for the role of the literal god of war than the feistiest Tulfo himself. Like Jimmy Santos, Ben Tulfo can also cover the English dub of the material if you get him angry enough while recording his lines.

PROS: “Munting Trese, ang nilikha ng iyong ama na agreement ay para lamang maprotektahan ang kanyang makasariling interests.” You can’t unhear it in your head, can you?
CONS: Ben Tulfo might have a hard time reading his script thanks to his sunglasses.

1. Rufa Mae Quinto as Alexandra Trese

Was there anyone else? So many people saw the potential since Day 1, and inasmuch as you can argue she could also play one of the Wind Spirits, you can’t deny just how radically different Trese would be with Rufa Mae Quinto in the saddle.

PROS: “Santelmo, go go go! Crispin, Basilio, itodo niyo na ‘to! Chikahan mo ako to the highest level, Nuno!” and yes, this video. This video is all the proof you need.
CONS: So much for “Munting” Trese.

Who’d you cast in an alternate version of Trese?