Derek Ramsay Shares How Family Ultimately Led To His Acting Comeback

After taking a step back from the entertainment world to focus on family life, Derek Ramsay says he never thought he'd return to acting. "I never thought I'd come back. I thought I was done," he admitted during the story conference for his new series, The Kingdom: Magkabilang Mundo. "I was focused on my family, I was focused on my next chapter," he says in a report by Philstar.

Derek initially stepped away from showbiz in 2021 to focus on his personal life. While he briefly returned for the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) film (K)ampon, which he previously described as a tentative comeback, he chose not to fully reenter the industry afterward. Instead, he continued turning down projects, opting for a slower, more grounded pace as he settled into married life then with Ellen Adarna and eventually, fatherhood.

Still, acting never fully left him. While he was content with family life, there were moments when he found himself missing the craft. "I love what I do, but life goes on and you enter a new chapter," he said. "I never thought it would bring me back, but here I am."

The project that finally pulled him back was the continuation of the 2025 MMFF hit The Kingdom, now a primetime epic series set to premiere on Netflix. Derek will take on the role of Rajah Siyam, a "bida-kontrabida," joining Piolo Pascual, Cristine Reyes, and Sue Ramirez, all under the direction of his longtime friend Mike Tuviera.

Ultimately, personal life played a huge role in his decision to say yes to his acting comeback. He opened up about personal shifts, including his father's ongoing battle with cancer. "I felt like God was telling me, 'This is what you should do to get your mind off everything.' So, I listened and I loved the project," he shared.

That clarity was reinforced during a recent holiday trip, where Derek flew to the United Kingdom with his parents and his daughter Liana. The family spent time in places like Bourton-on-the-Water in Gloucestershire and celebrated Christmas in Milton Keynes. On Instagram, Derek shared posts of bundled-up walks, quiet father-daughter moments, and lighthearted jokes about carrying his baby in the winter cold, offering a peek into his peaceful family life with his little girl.

ICYMI: Derek's father reached out to Ellen to coordinate more quality time with Liana, expressing his love for his granddaughter despite his ongoing health challenges. Ellen agreed, so her daughter could spend meaningful moments with her grandfather without any added guilt.

After everything that happened in the past year, Derek is stepping back into the spotlight with a renewed sense of purpose. He plans to focus on faith, family, and inner work, feeling "very, very positive" about 2026.

"I'm very, very thankful. I know this show is going to be a big success. I'm praying for a very peaceful year," he shared.