January 22 (2024-01-22) – June 14, 2024 (2024-06-14)
Linlang (International title: Deceit) is a Philippine television drama thriller series broadcast by Kapamilya Channel. Directed by FM Reyes and Jojo Saguin, it stars Kim Chiu, Paulo Avelino and JM de Guzman, with Maricel Soriano, Kaila Estrada and Ruby Ruiz in their supporting roles. The series was first released on Amazon Prime Video on October 5, 2023, consisting of 14 episodes, followed by a television version on January 22, 2024 on the channel's Primetime Bida line-up replacing Senior High. The series concluded on June 14, 2024 with a total of 103 episodes. It was replaced by Pamilya Sagrado on its timeslot.
Premise
The story centers around boxer-turned-seaman Victor Lualhati and his investigation into his wife Juliana's affair. Victor learns more about the situation as he looks into it and comes to the conclusion that his wife's infidelity is not the only factor at play.
Cast and characters
From left: Kim Chiu, Paulo Avelino, and JM de Guzman
Linlang was first announced in October 2022 by Dreamscape Entertainment.[3][4][5]Principal photography for the series lasted for six months. Paulo Avelino, one of the lead stars, prepared for his role by pushing "himself through a body transformation to embody his character’s journey", stating that he "had to gain around 20 lb (9.1 kg) to 35 lb (16 kg) at the start of the filming and lose around 20 pounds (9.1 kilograms) midway into the shoot."[6]
Release
The series premiered 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.[7]
The official trailer for Linlang was released on September 24, 2023.[12] The following month, advance screening for the series was held at Cinema76 in Quezon City.[13] To promote the series, the ensemble cast made special appearances in noontime musical-variety show ASAP[14] while Chiu and de Guzman served as guest stars in the lifestyle morning talk show Magandang Buhay.[15]
Reception
Viewership
Upon release, Linlang debuted at No. 1 on Amazon Prime Video Philippines.[6] The series also opened with 367,069 concurrent live viewers during its premiere on Kapamilya Online Live through the streaming service YouTube.[16]
Ratings
According to Nielsen NUTAM People Survey, the pilot episode of Linlang: The Teleserye Version received a nationwide rating of 9.0%, winning over its timeslot rival Love. Die. Repeat.[17] On May 14, 2024, the series registered its highest national rating of 11.4%, winning against My Guardian Alien with 8.7%.[18]
^The series also airs on A2Z(analog free TV in Manila only and digital TV in nationwide only), Kapamilya Online Live, TV5(free TV in nationwide), and worldwide via The Filipino Channel. It is also available on demand via iWantTFC.
^Alex is disbarred as of episode 65 (10 in the Prime Video cut).
^Amelia uses the Lualhati last name despite her never being married to Alex and Victor's late father Jessie Lualhati. This makes Amelia a mistress, and Alex an illegitimate son, as Jessie's legal wife is Victor's biological mother.
^Alex and Sylvia’s assistant who becomes a lawyer after Alex’s disbarment + transition into boxing.
^Due to the PBA games that aired every Wednesday and Friday, the series broadcast on this channel every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday until the association ended on February 11 after 3 months of broadcast.[8][9]