From Brisbane to Brazil: Gerson Rocha Brings Personal Career Struggles to the Screen in TAKE 02

Brazilian-Australian actor and film director Gerson Rocha is preparing to release TAKE 02, a new Portuguese-language vertical soap opera inspired by some of the challenges he has experienced while pursuing an acting career between Australia and Brazil.

Filmed in Sorocaba, São Paulo, the production follows Lucas Coutinho, played by Rocha, an actor who returns to Brazil after years living overseas, determined to rebuild his career in the entertainment industry.

As Lucas navigates auditions, professional uncertainty and personal relationships, he meets Bia, portrayed by Brazilian actress Alicia X. Their connection adds a romantic dimension to a story about ambition, rejection and the difficulty of starting again.

Turning personal challenges into storytelling

For Rocha, who is based in Brisbane, the story reflects a professional reality familiar to many artists attempting to establish themselves in different countries.

Despite gaining on-set experience in international and Australian productions, Rocha has faced difficulties securing acting opportunities and representation in Brazil while living overseas.

Rather than waiting for opportunities to arrive, he has increasingly focused on developing his own productions and collaborating with Brazilian creative professionals during visits to the country.

TAKE 02 represents part of that approach, allowing him to gain further acting experience while maintaining professional connections with the Brazilian audiovisual industry.

A Brazilian production with an international connection

The soap opera was produced in Portuguese and filmed in Sorocaba, bringing together Brazilian cast and production professionals.

The project also marks Rocha's exploration of vertical storytelling, a format designed primarily for smartphone viewing, with shorter episodes and narratives adapted for mobile audiences.

Although the story draws inspiration from aspects of Rocha's professional journey, TAKE 02 is a fictional drama rather than an autobiography.

Its themes of career reinvention, relationships and perseverance are intended to connect with audiences beyond the entertainment industry.

Building opportunities between Australia and Brazil

Rocha's ambitions extend beyond this production. The actor hopes to continue working in both countries and collaborating with established and emerging professionals in future screen projects.

His approach is to use each return to Brazil as an opportunity to participate in or develop productions, expand his professional network and strengthen his acting portfolio.

Meanwhile, in Brisbane, Rocha is completing work on Collapse, a psychological and social drama that he wrote, directs and stars in. The project explores themes including racism, discrimination and personal struggle, with a trailer currently planned for December 2026.

The two productions demonstrate his interest in developing original screen stories while pursuing acting opportunities internationally.

TAKE 02 premiere on YouTube

TAKE 02 is scheduled to premiere on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, through the GSR Studios Official YouTube channel.

The project will be presented in a short-form episodic format, making it accessible to viewers in Brazil, Australia and internationally.

For Rocha, the release represents another step towards building a sustainable acting career across two countries, while creating opportunities to collaborate with professionals in the Brazilian screen industry.

Watch: GSR Studios Official — https://www.youtube.com/@gsrstudiosofficial

Actor's website: https://gersonrocha.actor/

Please share your comment on the box below