As global interest in Thai Cave Rescue surges, the moment is bittersweet. Papangkorn “Beam” Lerkchaleampote, who played the compelling Coach Eak in the based-on-a-true-story series, died in April.

Below, Michael Russell Gunn and Dana Ledoux Miller, the two showrunners of Thai Cave Rescue, pay tribute to the late actor.

It’s extraordinarily rare, but if you search the night sky long enough, you might witness a shooting star. It burns bright and fast and then it’s gone. We didn’t know it at the time, but that’s what we were witnessing with Beam. He was a once-in-a-generation talent, who completely transformed himself from a shy, quiet actor into a charismatic leader of our young cast. He gave the engaging, emotional performance that is the core of the entire series. Watching him work became something not just the directors loved, but the entire crew. Everyone was drawn in as he stepped on set and crossed that magical barrier between off-screen and on.

Unearth the Making of Thai Cave RescueThroughout the shoot, there wasn't a single day they weren't soaking wet.

Moreover, he radiated the kindness and intelligence that made him an ally to each of the actors and to all of us who knew him. No one worked harder, from his free diving on the Underwater Unit to his relentless character work in prep... and he made it all look easy. The audience has been denied a shining future with this great actor, but those of us on Thai Cave Rescue have lost something more intangible. He was the very best of us — to the world, he was an ambassador of the famous Thai friendliness and grace, but on a personal level, he was our friend.