After making waves online via Prime Video, ABS-CBN’s hit mystery-thriller series “Linlang” which stars Kim Chiu, Paulo Avelino, and JM de Guzman, is giving free TV viewers the complete program experience as it showcases scenes that were never included before in “Linlang: The Teleserye Version.”
“Linlang” premiered exclusively on Prime Video last October 2023 in over 240 countries and territories and was consistently the number one show on Prime Video Philippines. Throughout its online streaming, the series hooked audiences and spawned endless posts that went viral on social media, especially the many heated confrontation scenes and storyline twists involving revenge and infidelity.
Asked about their reaction to the success of their online series, Avelino said in a press conference, “I was surprised. When we were making it, we did not expect it to be aired on a platform, but it worked, and I’m happy that it didn’t just become a hit here in the Philippines but also in various other countries.”
Chiu added, “Linlang took an unexpected turn. Actually, I was also surprised. All the fears disappeared. And I’m very thankful that we were acknowledged in other countries. Countries we didn’t even know existed [were] watched Linlang. So, we’re also very thankful to Prime Video for picking it up and everyone who made watching the show a bonding experience, especially abroad. It was an unexpected blessing for all of us, and we’re very grateful for that.”
The story of Linlang revolves around an alluring woman named Juliana (Chiu) and her illicit affair with Alex (De Guzman), a successful lawyer who also happens to be the brother of Juliana’s husband, Victor (Avelino), a washed-up boxer.
When Victor suspects that Juliana is cheating on him, he makes it his mission to uncover his wife’s secrets and vows to avenge those who have betrayed him.
FM Reyes, one of the show’s directors, said the teleserye version promises to showcase approximately 60 percent new and exciting scenes that viewers haven’t seen online.
“The creatives wrote the entire series as a weekly show. Originally, it was about two and a half hours when watched weekly. However, when we presented it to Prime, they requested only an hour per episode. So, you can imagine, roughly 60 percent of the original story hasn’t been seen yet, so it’s a totally different viewing experience,” he explained.
“It will be a lesson in structure and storytelling for everyone. While the show was deemed successful on Prime, its structure is designed for an hour per episode per week. Now, if you have a 30-minute show every day, the experience is different. You would observe what holds your attention, how the actors fare this time, but the exciting part is that many scenes will just be seen for the first time,” he furthered.
Therefore, Linlang’s upcoming version will delve deeper into the various characters’ personalities, revealing the complete story behind the complicated relationships between Juliana, Victor, and Alex.
“They will understand more about the characters around Victor than my own character,” said Avelino.
Chiu added to conclude, “They will understand Juliana more fully here, where she came from, why her reactions are the way they are, why she loves Alex so much, and why she treats Victor the way she does. Actually, in this teleserye version, I am very excited because Juliana will be able to explain herself to everyone angry at her.”
“Linlang” also stars veteran actresses Maricel Soriano and Ruby Ruiz, and fast rising star Kaila Estrada. Completing the stellar cast are Jaime Fabregas, Raymond Bagatsing, Albie Casiño, Jake Ejercito, Heaven Peralejo, Adrian Lindayag, Race Matias, Benj Manalo, Lovely Abella, Frenchie Dy, Ross Pesigan, Hanna Lexie, Juno Advincula, Connie Virtucio, Lotlot Bustamante, Meann Espinosa, Danny Ramos, Bart Guingona, Marc Mcmahon, Anji Salvacion, and Kice.
Directed by FM Reyes and Jojo Saguin, “Linlang: The Teleserye Version” airs beginning Monday, January 22 at 8:45 p.m. after “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” on Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, TV5, iWantTFC, and Kapamilya Online Live on ABS-CBN Entertainment’s YouTube channel and Facebook page.