Linlang (2023 TV series)

{{Short description|Philippine thriller drama television series.}}

{{Infobox television

| image = Linlang official poster.jpg

| caption = Mid-season Promotional poster

| genre = {{Plainlist|

}}

| creator =

| writer = David Diuco

| director = {{Plainlist|

FM Reyes
Jojo A. Saguin

}}

| starring = {{Plainlist|

}}

| music =

| opentheme =

| composer = Jovinor Tan
Jonathan Manalo
Len Calvo
Adriane Macalipay

| producer =

| executive_producer = Carlo Katigbak
Cory Vidanes
Laurenti Dyogi
Roldeo Endrinal

| cinematography =

| editor =

| camera = Single-camera

| runtime = 56–61 minutes

| company = Dreamscape Entertainment

| country = Philippines

| language = Filipino

| num_seasons =

| num_episodes = 14 (Prime Video)
103 (The Teleserye Version)

| list_episodes = List of Linlang episodes

| channel = Amazon Prime Video

| first_aired = {{Start date|2023|10|5}}

| last_aired = {{End date|2023|11|16}}

| channel2 = Kapamilya Channel {{small|(cable and satellite TV only)}}{{efn|The series also aired on A2Z, TV5, Jeepney TV and TFC. It was also available for streaming via Kapamilya Online Live and on-demand via iWantTFC.}}

| first_aired2 = {{Start date|2024|01|22}}

| last_aired2 = {{End date|2024|06|14}}

}}

Linlang (International title: Deceit) is a Philippine melodrama thriller television series produced by Dreamscape Entertainment for ABS-CBN Studios. Directed by FM Reyes and Jojo Saguin, it stars Paulo Avelino, Kim Chiu, JM de Guzman and Maricel Soriano. The story centers around a husband's investigation into his wife's affair as he learns more about the situation and comes to the conclusion that his wife's infidelity is not the only factor at play. The series streamed on Amazon Prime Video from October 5 to November 16, 2023. The extended version of the series, titled Linlang: The Teleserye Version, aired on Kapamilya Channel's Primetime Bida evening block from January 22 to June 14, 2024.

Cast and characters

{{multiple image

| total_width = 290

| image1 = Kim Chiu by Ronn Tan, April 2010.png

| image2 = Paulo Avelino at the 2015 Gapan City Tsinelas Festivaljf.jpg

| image3 = JM de Guzman (2019) (cropped).jpg

| footer = From left to right: Kim Chiu, Paulo Avelino, JM de Guzman}}

= Main cast =

Paulo Avelino as Victor Lualhati
Kim Chiu as Juliana Alcantara-Lualhati
JM de Guzman as Alexander "Alex" Lualhati
Maricel Soriano as Amelia Contreras-Lualhati

= Supporting cast =

Jaime Fabregas as Badong Castillo{{Cite web |title='Linlang' becomes the most watched show on Prime Video Philippines on its first streaming day |url=https://mb.com.ph/2023/10/6/linlang-becomes-the-most-watched-show-on-prime-video-philippines-on-its-first-streaming-day |access-date=2023-10-25 |website=Manila Bulletin |language=en}}
Ruby Ruiz as Pilar Alcantara
Raymond Bagatsing as Emilio Mendoza
Kaila Estrada as Sylvia Villamayor-Lualhati{{Cite web |title=Four Reasons to watch Prime Video series Linlang |url=https://www.pep.ph/news/local/176464/prime-video-series-linlang-review-a4401-20231012 |access-date=2023-10-25 |website=PEP.ph |language=en}}
Heaven Peralejo as Olivia Castillo-Lualhati
Albie Casiño as Ricardo "Ricky" Torres
Benj Manalo as Jimboy Ulambay
Race Matias as Matteo Bautista
Anji Salvacion as Kate Alcantara
Kice So as Dylan Salazar
Heart Ramos as Abigail "Abby" Lualhati
Hanna Lexie as young Abby

= Recurring cast =

Bart Guingona as Dante Villamayor
Adrian Lindayag as William
Frenchie Dy as Mema
Ross Pesigan as Bogs
Connie Virtucio
Lotlot Bustamante as Mosang
Meanne Espinosa

= Guest cast =

Jake Ejercito as Lucas
Mark McMahon as Eric
Lovely Abella as Emma
Daniela Stranner as Maricar
Sandy Aloba
Danny Ramos as Jessie Lualhati
Daisy Cariño as Olivia's mother

Production

Linlang was first announced in October 2022 by Dreamscape Entertainment.{{Cite web |date=2022-10-21 |title=Paulo, Kim, JM and Maricel star in new series 'Linlang' |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/10/21/22/paulo-kim-jm-and-maricel-star-in-new-series-linlang |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=ABS-CBN News |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Cruz |first=Dana |date=2022-10-22 |title=Maricel Soriano, Paulo Avelino, Kim Chiu, JM de Guzman lead cast of new series 'Linlang' |url=https://entertainment.inquirer.net/469224/maricel-soriano-paulo-avelino-kim-chiu-jm-de-guzman-lead-cast-of-new-series-linlang |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=INQUIRER.net |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Paulo, Kim, JM, Ruby, and Maricel headline star-studded cast of ABS-CBN's new series 'Linlang' |url=https://mb.com.ph/2022/10/21/paulo-kim-jm-ruby-and-maricel-headline-star-studded-cast-of-abs-cbns-new-series-linlang/ |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=Manila Bulletin |language=en}} Principal photography for the series lasted for six months. Lead star Paulo Avelino prepared for his role by "pushing himself through a body transformation to embody his character’s journey", stating that he "had to gain around {{Convert|20|lb|kg|abbr=on}} to {{Convert|35|lb|kg|abbr=on}} at the start of the filming and lose around 20 pounds (9.1 kilograms) midway into the shoot."

Release

The series was released on the streaming service Amazon Prime Video on October 5, 2023, with the first two episodes available immediately and the rest debuting on a weekly basis.{{Cite web |date=2023-10-03 |title=Kim, Paulo, and JM topbill Prime Video series 'Linlang' |url=https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/cebu-entertainment/2023/10/03/2300826/kim-paulo-and-jm-topbill-prime-video-series-linlang |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=www.philstar.com |language=en-US}}

=Television broadcast=

The uncut version of the series called Linlang: The Teleserye Version premiered on Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, TV5, Jeepney TV and The Filipino Channel on January 22, 2024. It was also available for streaming via Kapamilya Online Live and iWantTFC.{{Cite web |last=Felipe |first=MJ |date=2023-12-15 |title=ABS-CBN unveils initial line-up of 2024 shows |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/12/15/23/abs-cbn-unveils-initial-line-up-of-2024-shows |access-date=2023-12-15 |website=ABS-CBN News |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Felipe |first=MJ |date=December 14, 2023 |title=300 stars gather as ABS-CBN Christmas special returns to Big Dome |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/12/14/23/300-stars-gather-as-abs-cbn-christmas-special-returns-to-big-dome |access-date=December 14, 2023 |website=ABS-CBN News}}

Music

The main theme song of the series is a 2023 version of "Anong Nangyari Sa Ating Dalawa" performed by Erik Santos. The instrumental version of this song was also featured on the "EXpecially For You" segment of the noontime variety show It's Showtime.

Marketing

The official trailer of the series was released on September 24, 2023.{{Cite web |date=2023-09-24 |title=Kim Chiu, Paulo Avelino play married couple in gripping preview of 'Linlang' |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/09/24/23/kim-chiu-paulo-avelino-play-married-couple-in-gripping-preview-of-linlang |access-date=2023-10-25 |website=ABS-CBN News |language=en}} The following month, advance screening for the series was held at Cinema76 in Quezon City.{{Cite web |title=Kim Chiu on intimate scenes with Paulo Avelino: 'Happy naman ako' |url=https://mb.com.ph/2023/10/5/kim-chiu-on-intimate-scenes-with-paulo-avelino-happy-naman-ako |access-date=2023-10-25 |website=Manila Bulletin |language=en}} To promote the series, the cast appeared in the noontime musical-variety show ASAP.{{Cite web |date=2023-10-08 |title=Stars of 'Linlang' grace 'ASAP' stage to promote new series |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/10/08/23/stars-of-linlang-grace-asap-stage-to-promote-new-series |access-date=2023-10-25 |website=ABS-CBN News |language=en}} Chiu and De Guzman also appeared in the talk show Magandang Buhay.{{Cite web |date=2023-10-04 |title=JM appeals: Tagal ko nang nanliligaw, baka naman |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/10/04/23/jm-appeals-tagal-ko-nang-nanliligaw-baka-naman |access-date=2023-10-25 |website=ABS-CBN News |language=en}}

Reception

=Ratings and viewership=

Upon release, Linlang debuted at No. 1 on Amazon Prime Video Philippines.{{Cite web |date=2023-10-11 |title=Linlang emerges as top pick on Prime Video PHL |url=https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2023/10/11/2302669/linlang-emerges-top-pick-prime-video-phl |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=www.philstar.com |language=en-US}} The series also opened with 367,069 concurrent live viewers during its premiere on Kapamilya Online Live through the streaming service YouTube.{{Cite web |title="Linlang: The Teleserye Version" debuts with 367,069 live concurrent viewers, multiple trending topics |url=https://ent.abs-cbn.com/linlang2023/articles-news/linlang-the-teleserye-version-debuts-with-367069-live-concurrent-viewers-multiple-trending-topics-21503 |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=ABS-CBN Entertainment |language=}} According to Nielsen NUTAM People Survey, the pilot episode of Linlang: The Teleserye Version received a nationwide rating of 9.0%.{{Cite web |last=CC |first=JE |date=2024-01-24 |title='Linlang' The Teleserye Version sets highest pilot rating for a Kapamilya show on the second primetime slot |url=https://www.lionheartv.net/2024/01/linlang-highest-pilot/ |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=LionhearTV |language=en-US}} The series registered its highest national rating on June 13 and 14, garnering 12.0%, the latter date being the finale episode.{{Cite web |date=June 20, 2024 |title='Linlang' soars to its all-time high ratings during its finale week - LionhearTV |url=https://www.lionheartv.net/2024/06/linlang-all-time-finale/ |access-date=June 22, 2024 |website=Lionheartv.net |language=}}

=Critical response=

Writing for Daily Tribune, Alwin Ignacio described Linlang as "a cautionary tale and modern-day morality check." He praised the acting performances of the lead stars Kim Chiu, Paulo Avelino and JM de Guzman, as well as the portrayals of Maricel Soriano, Kaila Estrada and Ruby Ruiz.{{cite web |last=Ignacio |first=Alwin |date=2023-10-11 |title=Linlang: Love and lust on a collision |url=https://tribune.net.ph/2023/10/12/linlang-love-and-lust-on-a-collision/ |access-date=2023-10-25 |website=Daily Tribune |language=en-US}}

Accolades

class="wikitable"

|+ Accolades received by Linlang

! Year

! Award

! Category

! Nominee(s)

! Result

! {{Abbr|Ref.|References}}

rowspan="3" |2024

| rowspan="2" |ContentAsia Awards

|Best Female Lead in a TV Programme / Series

|Kim Chiu

|{{Nominated}}

| rowspan="2" |{{Cite web |date=July 15, 2024 |title=Nominees for 2024 ContentAsia Awards revealed |url=https://mb.com.ph/2024/7/15/nominees-for-2024-content-asia-awards-revealed |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240715081650/https://mb.com.ph/2024/7/15/nominees-for-2024-content-asia-awards-revealed |archive-date=July 15, 2024 |access-date= |website=Manila Bulletin}}

Best Supporting Actress in a TV Programme / Series

|Kaila Estrada

|{{Nominated}}

rowspan="1" |Gawad Pasado Awards

|Best TV Actor

|Paulo Avelino

|{{Won}}

| rowspan="1" |{{cite web | url=https://entertainment.inquirer.net/581219/kathryn-bernardo-paulo-avelino-cedrick-juan-among-26th-gawad-pasado-winners | title=Kathryn Bernardo, Paulo Avelino, Cedrick Juan among 26th Gawad Pasado winners | date=14 October 2024 }}

rowspan="4" |2025

| rowspan="4" |PMPC Star Awards for Television

|Best Primetime Drama Series

|Linlang

|{{nom}}

| rowspan="4" |{{Cite web |last=Mallorca |first=Hannah |date=February 2, 2025 |title=PMPC Star Awards for Television bares list of nominees |url=https://entertainment.inquirer.net/595670/pmpc-star-awards-for-television-bares-list-of-nominees#:~:text=The%20acting%20prowess%20of%20Coco,of%20Star%20Awards%20for%20Television. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250203010626/https://entertainment.inquirer.net/595670/pmpc-star-awards-for-television-bares-list-of-nominees |archive-date=February 3, 2025 |access-date= |website=Entertainment Inquirer}}

Best Drama Actor

|Paulo Avelino

|{{nom}}

Best Drama Actress

|Kim Chiu

|{{won}}

Best Drama Supporting Actress

|Kaila Estrada

|{{won}}