PRAGUE, CZ – Following last week’s podcast feature with Excel Busano, who portrayed “Angel” in the Danish Netflix drama Secrets We Keep, we turn the spotlight today to yet another central character, “Ruby.” Behind the quiet, haunting role is Ms. Donna Fraulein Ramas Levkoski, a Filipina based in Denmark whose journey behind the camera is as compelling as the character she plays.
Born and raised in Cagayan de Oro, Philippines, Donna moved to Denmark at 21 to work as an au pair. Now at 28, she is based in Copenhagen and currently studying *laborantuddannelse.
“I came to Denmark when I was 21 and started as an au pair,” she says. “I’m 28 years old now and studying to become a *laboratory technician.”
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How were you casted as Ruby?
Donna: “I saw an ad through Facebook that they are looking for a Filipina. For some reason, I didn’t think much about it. I thought it would be fun to audition and have some fun out of it, whether I will get casted or not.”
How did you prepare for the role of a Filipina au pair living abroad? Did you draw from real-life stories or experiences?
Donna: “I did some mental preparation for the role. Ruby is a mysterious character—she doesn’t say much, but her appearance and facial expressions had to communicate that something deeper, something unsettling, is going on with her.
Most of my scenes are quiet, alone, and sad, so I had to tap into that internal emotion without relying on dialogue. To do that, I drew from real-life experiences—especially remembering from my own au pair days. As someone who also left the Philippines to live in Denmark, I understand the feeling of being far from home, adjusting to a new culture, and carrying both hope and responsibility—though, of course, Ruby’s fate is much more tragic. Combining those emotions helped me connect with her character in an honest and grounded way.”
What was the most challenging scene for you to film as Ruby, and why?
Donna: “The hardest scene for me was when I was soaked in water—the part where Cecilie sees me in her dream, and Angel sees me in her room. I was all wet, including my clothes. They used warm water, but still after a few minutes of filming, it felt really really cold. At one point, the cameraman saw my knee shaking and asked if I wanted a break. I said no, held my knee, and kept going . 😅 After the scene, ofcourse the team helped me warm up.”
What was it like working with an international cast and crew?
Donna: “It was amazing to be part of Uma Film production and Netflix. Everyone was so kind to me and to the other Pinoy cast members. We were really taken care of, and we never felt like newbies. I remember, they picked me up from school for the shoot and sent me home afterwards. They asked us all the time if we are comfortable with the scenes we are about to do. It was an amazing crew! They placed so much trust in us, even though we had no acting experience—and the rest of the cast were talented veterans. That’s what made it all more incredible.”
How important was it for you to represent Filipinas and OFWs on an
international platform like Netflix?
Donna: “During the audition, I already had it in my mind that even if I didn’t get the role, I would still be proud. Just knowing that Filipinos—especially the au pair community—were being recognized on such a big platform was already enough for me.
But getting the role made it more meaningful, It gave me the chance to represent so many hardworking Filipinas and OFWs who leave home for a better future. Ruby, the character I played, is actually very different from who I am in real life. I’m strong, I speak up when someone looks down on me, and I stand for what is right. I believe in defending myself and others when something feels unfair or wrong. Ruby, on the other hand, is quiet, mysterious, and holds her pain inside. She doesn’t fight back, even when she’s clearly hurting. That actually opened my eyes to the reality that not every Filipina is able to fight back, and their stories deserve to be told, too.”
She added, “Their stories need to be told to”. What I mean with this, is the general experience as an OFW, the loneliness, and all the hardwork we do to provide for our family way back home- and not directly of Ruby’s life story since Secrets we keep is a fiction po.”
Any plans on pursuing your career as international actress?
Donna: I had so much fun filming that it didn’t even feel like work. I truly enjoyed being on set, and if there are any future offers, I’d love to take them. I recently worked on a short film that will be shown in some European festivals, and I’m so excited about it. So if more projects come my way, I’d be more than happy to do it all over again.😁
In Conclusion
The Netflix drama Secrets to Keep captured not just the attention of Filipinos, but also resonated with international viewers. It shed light on the lives of au pairs, OFWs, immigrants, and other marginalized groups, showing the lengths of sacrifices they make for the people they love. The show also highlighted the gap between the rich and the poor, reminding us that privilege doesn’t always mean cruelty, and that kindness exists on both sides.
More importantly, it reflected the spirit of community we Filipinos are known for, especially in times of need. And it raises a real question: Do we still carry that same spirit of unity within our Filipino community in the Czech Republic?”
