Ruco Chan (陳展鵬) called Ruse of Engagement <叛逃> his most difficult drama to film to-date, revealing that he had lost over ten pounds while the drama was still in production in 2011. It took three years for the crime thriller Ruse of Engagement, produced by Amy Wong (王心慰), to secure a broadcast date on TVB. The drama finally premiered on March 17, and finished its first week of broadcast with an average viewership rating of 27 points, earning generally positive reception from the public. Ruco is relieved to finally see his efforts being paid off. “I literally waited for three years,” said Ruco. “This drama has many action scenes, from the beginning to end. had to fight and hang on wires. It was filmed during the hottest time of the summer too. This drama was definitely my most difficult drama to film ever. I got skinnier and skinnier, and lost over ten pounds in three months.” Principal photography for Ruse of Engagement lasted approximately three months. Production commenced in May 2011 and ended in September 2011. Ruco said the drama gave him great physical and mental strain. Along with the rest of the cast, Ruco often had to perform his own dangerous stunts. One memorable scene included a long jump from one building rooftop to another. Ruco recalled his strenuous filming experience, “I had a fever while I was shooting an explosive scene, and I was feeling a bit dizzy. Maybe it was because of the hot weather so I was getting a heatstroke, but after taking some fever-reducing pills I felt fine, so I continued filming.” In the action-packed series, Ruco portrays Carson, a senior inspector with conflicted morals who works for the ATF intelligence unit. Portraying gray-area characters is nothing new for Ruco, but he said he is not tired of playing them. “I like to portray such cinematic characters. There is good and evil. I want to thank the producer for fleshing the role.” Carson is also involved in romantic relationships with Yip Ting (Yoyo Mung 蒙嘉慧) and Jessica (Aimee Chan 陳茵媺), who also falls for Carson’s younger brother, Alfred (Ron Ng 吳卓羲). Asked if he ever experienced a time when both he and a friend fell for the same woman, Ruco laughed and said, “Never. These things only happen with kids! If I were to choose [between brotherhood or romance], I’d think romance is more important, because I am an only son. I don’t have a brother.” Creds: Oriental Daily
