A train ride to stardom: How Amielynn Abellera found her true calling in storytelling

Today, Abellera is making waves with The Pitt, a gripping medical drama that delves into the post-Covid realities of healthcare professionals. The show has been praised for its raw and accurate portrayal of the ongoing struggles faced by frontline workers. “Even before working on The Pitt, I didn’t fully grasp how traumatising Covid had been for healthcare professionals,” she admits. “They never had a break. It’s not as present in our daily conversations anymore, but the impact is still there.”

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Playing Perlah was both an honour and a responsibility. “In many ways, I see parts of myself in her,” Abellera shares. “She’s strong, determined and deeply committed to caring for others, much like the women in my own family who have worked in healthcare.”

Growing up in a household where the medical profession was revered, Abellera understood the sacrifices that come with the job. “I’ve seen the exhaustion, the unwavering dedication and the quiet resilience,” she explains. “Bringing Perlah to life on screen was about honouring the real-life nurses and first responders I’ve admired in my life.”

Determined to do justice to the role, she immersed herself in research and sought guidance from Filipino Muslim community members in Los Angeles. “I wanted to get it right,” she emphasises. “I spoke to Muslim nurses, listened to their stories, and tried to understand how their faith influenced their work.” This commitment to authenticity even led to script adjustments. “There was a line that felt slightly off in terms of Muslim representation, so I consulted my contacts and brought my concerns to the writers. They were so receptive and changed it. That was a proud moment.”

Growing up, Abellera wondered why there were only a few representations of Filipinos on stage and on screen. “I can count on one hand the Filipino characters I saw growing up—Dante Basco as Rufio in Hook, Tia Carrere in Wayne’s World, and, of course, Lea Salonga in Miss Saigon,” she says. “So when I get to play a Filipino character, it means the world to me.” 

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With her resume featuring roles in Bosch: Legacy, The Cleaning Lady, NCIS, and Shrinking, she aims to change what representation means—not just taking on Filipino roles but really embedding the culture in the characters she plays. “It’s about shifting perspectives and making sure our stories are told with depth and authenticity,” she explains. “I want Filipino audiences to see themselves reflected on screen—not just as side characters, but as complex, fully realised individuals.”

Abellera has played a range of roles across television, film and theatre, demonstrating her versatility as an actress. On top of that, she is an award-winning voice actress, lending her talents to animation, video games, and narration. Her ability to bring characters to life through voice work has expanded her reach, furthering her mission to amplify Filipino stories.

The response to her role as Perlah has been overwhelmingly positive, with many viewers reaching out to her to express how much it means to see a Filipino Muslim nurse on television. “Hearing that my portrayal of Perlah resonates with people is incredibly fulfilling. It reinforces why I do this.”

Even when she plays characters that aren’t specifically written as Filipino, she ensures her heritage shines through. “Our uniqueness as a culture, our family dynamics, our sense of community—that naturally comes through in my performances,” she states.

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Abellera is also drawn to storytelling in other forms aside from acting. She is currently developing a project that explores the nuances of the Filipino-American experience, focusing on themes of identity and belonging. “I’ve been writing and brainstorming ideas that dive into the complexities of being Filipino-American,” she shares. “It’s a story that feels very personal to me, and I hope to bring it to life soon.”

She’s also fascinated by the immigrant experience, particularly her own parents’ journey. “They came here in the ‘70s, and their priority was to assimilate. But as an adult, I want to understand what they went through—what they longed for, what they left behind,” she says. “I want more stories about that.”

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Abellera’s career continues to gain momentum, with new opportunities furthering her presence in the entertainment industry, particularly through her compelling portrayal of Perlah. “I’m excited to see where Perlah’s journey goes next," she says. "The first season laid such a strong foundation, and I think audiences will be even more invested in what’s to come.”

But she sees her present roles as part of a larger movement. “The opportunities for us are growing,” she says. “The actors who paved the way before me inspired me to chase this dream. Now, it’s my turn to do the same for the next generation.”

She believes that finding your calling is more a marathon than a sprint—or in her case, a train ride. “There’s no one right path in this industry,” she says. “What matters is staying true to yourself and your passion. And if you’re willing to keep going despite the unpredictability—then you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.”

Much like that train ride, it’s never about the destination, it’s about trusting the direction your heart is pulling you toward, no matter how uncertain the path may seem.

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