MANILA—Between “The Legal Wife” and “The General’s Daughter” went five years of anticipation from fans for the teleserye return of Angel Locsin — and now the wait is over. But what precisely took the comeback so long?

Locsin, 33, has made no secret of the tumultuous years leading up to her first lead role in a series since the 2014 mistress drama. She went through a bitter breakup, nursed a spine injury that cost her a passion project, and nearly resigned from ABS-CBN after being overcome with self-doubt.

The series of challenges had triggered speculation in relation to her becoming less visible on TV, but in back-to-back press conferences for “The General’s Daughter” this week, the actress finally set the record straight.

“Noong gagawin ko po dapat ‘yung ‘Darna,’ mayroon kaming agreement ng ABS na hindi ako tatanggap ng ibang project hangga’t ginagawa po ‘yung ‘Darna.’ Dahil inabot tayo ng lampas limang taon ata ‘yung preparation ng ‘Darna,’ na-delay nang na-delay,” she said.

Star Cinema, one of ABS-CBN’s film outfits, first announced that Locsin would portray the iconic superheroine in its film adaptation in June 2014.

“Though nakakagawa ng ibang guestings, ng pelikula, ‘yung teleserye not allowed,” Locsin explained. “May agreement naman po kami sa ganu’n, kasi mahirap at very physical. Pati ‘yung schedule na kailangan doon sa ‘Darna,’ medyo challenge. Natagalan po talaga.”

While Locsin did take on acting roles on TV, they were limited, such as a two-part episode for “Maalaala Mo Kaya,” and a guest appearance in the fantaserye “La Luna Sangre.” These were aside from her judging stint in “Pilipinas Got Talent.” In 2016, she starred in two Star Cinema films, notably non-action ones, since Locsin had just then started treatment for her spine injury.

In 2017, Locsin and Star Cinema reached the final decision of her withdrawal from “Darna,” citing her condition in light of the physical demands of the role.

In a light moment during the grand press conference of “The General’s Daughter,” Locsin revealed that even though she had no lead TV roles in the those five years, she still received a full salary as per her contract with ABS-CBN.

The topic came up when she was asked whether she felt the Kapamilya network was making it up to her, given the scale of production of “The General’s Daughter” and the Dreamscape series being dubbed as the “biggest” of 2019.

“Honestly, hindi naman po, kasi sumusuweldo naman po ako kahit wala akong ginagawa. So OK lang po sa akin. Kumbaga, mas favor sa’kin ‘yon!” she said, laughing. “So ngayon, kailangan ko na raw po mag-work kasi five years na po akong sumisuweldo!”

Turning serious, she added: “I think ito ‘yung perfect moment na babalik po ako ng teleserye, kasi nandito po lahat ng dream kong makatrabaho. Kung alam niyo lang po ‘yung excitement ko noong nagkita-kita kami sa story conference, hindi po ako nakapagsalita talaga.”

Joining Locsin in the series are big-name screen veterans: Albert Martinez, Tirso Cruz III, Eula Valdez, Janice de Belen, and Maricel Soriano. Also part of the cast are Paulo Avelino, JC de Vera, Arjo Atayde, Ryza Cenon, and the breakout tandem of Loisa Andalio and Ronnie Alonte.

“Sa mga kasama mo sa show, doon pa lang makikita mo na na napaka importante ng teleserye na ‘to, so kailangan mong mag-set up talaga,” Locsin said.

Directed by Manny Palo and Mervyn Brondial, “The General’s Daughter” sees Locsin as Rhian, a soldier raised to kill her own father, leading to conflicts both physical and emotional.

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In promotional ads for the series, Locsin is dubbed the “Action-Drama Queen,” a title that’s been long associated with her by fans given her track record of performing her own stunts in various portrayals.

Admittedly, Locsin feels awkward about the “royal” tag.

“Ako lang po yata sa batch namin na walang title. Dalawa pa ‘no? Medyo naninibago po ako, honestly. Nasanay ako na walang title. Kahit ‘yung pagtawag sa’yo na ‘queen,’ ayaw ko po kasi talaga ng ganu’ng title. Maraming, maraming salamat po, kung tingin niyo na pasok ako doon sa ganoong genre. Thank you so much, kasi ginagawa ko po talaga ‘yung trabaho ko para ma-please kayo,” she said.

“The General’s Daughter” will premiere on Monday, January 21, after “FJP’s Ang Probinsyano.”