# Widows' War

Widows' War is a Philippine television drama crime mystery series broadcast by GMA Network. Originally directed by Zig Madamba Dulay and later by Jerry Lopez Sineneng, it stars Bea Alonzo and Carla Abellana. It premiered on July 1, 2024 on the network's Prime line up. The series concluded on January 17, 2025 with a total of 145 episodes.
The series is streaming online on YouTube.

## Premise

Former best friends Sam and George, blame each other for an unfortunate happening between their families. They will once again encounter each other, and mourn the death of their respective husband – Paco and Basil.

## Cast and characters
### Lead cast

* Bea Alonzo as Samantha "Sam" Castillo-Palacios: Paco's wife. She is George's best friend turned into an enemy, due to family problems.
* Carla Abellana as Georgina "George" Balay-Palacios: Sam's former best friend and Basil's wife.

### Supporting cast

* Tonton Gutierrez as Galvan Palacios: Basil's father, Aurora's brother and the chief operating officer of the Palacios' mining company.
* Jackie Lou Blanco as Ruth Balay: George and Edward's mother.
* Lito Pimentel as Amando Namas: The Palacios' butler and Aurora's assistant.
* Timmy Cruz as Mercy Castillo: The mother of Sam and Francis.
* Jean Garcia as Aurora Palacios: Paco's mother, Galvan's younger sister and Rebecca's aunt.
* Rita Daniela as Rebecca Palacios: Aurora's niece and Paco and Basil's cousin.
* Jeric Gonzales as Francis Castillo: Sam's brother.
* Juancho Triviño as Abdul Casas: The investigator for the deaths of Paco and Basil.
* Royce Cabrera as Jericho Domo: A staff working in the Palacios' estate.
* James Graham as Louie Castor: Sofia's friend.
* Charlie Fleming as Sofia Trano: Basil's half-sister and Vivian's daughter.
* Matthew Uy as Edward Balay: George's younger brother.

### Recurring cast

* Benjamin Alves as Basil Palacios: George's husband.
* Rafael Rosell as Paco Palacios: Sam's husband.
* Lovely Rivero as Vivian Trano
* Archie Alemania as Marcus Villa
* Kiel Rodriguez as Cairo
* Phi Palmos as DJ
* Brent Valdez as Peter
* Lotlot Bustamante as Angie
* Rikki Mae Davao as Rochelle "Rico"
* Melissa Avelino as Loray
* Arthur Solinap as Emil Royales

### Guest cast

* Jong Cuenco as Orlando "Orly" Castillo
* William Lorenzo as Alberto "Bert" Balay
* Lianne Valentin as Beatrice "Bee" Royales
* Mike Tan as Inigo Morales / Antonio Berenguela
* Bianca Manalo as Beverly Maison
* Vaness del Moral as Hillary "Lary" Suarez
* Mariel Pamintuan as Juliet
* Carmina Villarroel as Barbara "Barry" Sagrado-Dee
* Jo Berry as Lilet Matias
* Victor Silayan as Rodolfo Palacios / Soledad Palacios

## Episodes

Widows' War episodes :
| No. | Title | Original release date |
| 1 | TBA | July 1, 2024 (2024-07-01) |
| 2 | "Friendship Over" | July 2, 2024 (2024-07-02) |
| 3 | TBA | July 3, 2024 (2024-07-03) |
| 4 | TBA | July 4, 2024 (2024-07-04) |
| 5 | TBA | July 5, 2024 (2024-07-05) |
| 6 | TBA | July 8, 2024 (2024-07-08) |
| 7 | TBA | July 9, 2024 (2024-07-09) |
| 8 | TBA | July 10, 2024 (2024-07-10) |
| 9 | TBA | July 11, 2024 (2024-07-11) |
| 10 | TBA | July 12, 2024 (2024-07-12) |
| 11 | TBA | July 15, 2024 (2024-07-15) |
| 12 | TBA | July 16, 2024 (2024-07-16) |
| 13 | TBA | July 17, 2024 (2024-07-17) |
| 14 | "Restless Soul" | July 18, 2024 (2024-07-18) |
| 15 | TBA | July 19, 2024 (2024-07-19) |
| 16 | TBA | July 22, 2024 (2024-07-22) |
| 17 | "Death Threat" | July 23, 2024 (2024-07-23) |
| 18 | TBA | July 24, 2024 (2024-07-24) |
| 19 | TBA | July 25, 2024 (2024-07-25) |
| 20 | "Descent to Madness" | July 26, 2024 (2024-07-26) |
| 21 | "Sam is Pregnant" | July 29, 2024 (2024-07-29) |
| 22 | TBA | July 30, 2024 (2024-07-30) |
| 23 | TBA | July 31, 2024 (2024-07-31) |
| 24 | "RIP, Basil" | August 1, 2024 (2024-08-01) |
| 25 | TBA | August 2, 2024 (2024-08-02) |
| 26 | "Untold Secrets" | August 5, 2024 (2024-08-05) |
| 27 | TBA | August 6, 2024 (2024-08-06) |
| 28 | TBA | August 7, 2024 (2024-08-07) |
| 29 | TBA | August 8, 2024 (2024-08-08) |
| 30 | "Suspect Arrested" | August 9, 2024 (2024-08-09) |
| 31 | "Farewell, Basil" | August 12, 2024 (2024-08-12) |
| 32 | TBA | August 13, 2024 (2024-08-13) |
| 33 | TBA | August 14, 2024 (2024-08-14) |
| 34 | TBA | August 15, 2024 (2024-08-15) |
| 35 | TBA | August 16, 2024 (2024-08-16) |
| 36 | "Gender Reveal" | August 19, 2024 (2024-08-19) |
| 37 | "Poor George" | August 20, 2024 (2024-08-20) |
| 38 | TBA | August 21, 2024 (2024-08-21) |
| 39 | "Killer on the Loose" | August 22, 2024 (2024-08-22) |
| 40 | TBA | August 23, 2024 (2024-08-23) |
| 41 | "Killer in the Palace" | August 26, 2024 (2024-08-26) |
| 42 | TBA | August 27, 2024 (2024-08-27) |
| 43 | "Escaping Death" | August 28, 2024 (2024-08-28) |
| 44 | "Murder Alibi" | August 29, 2024 (2024-08-29) |
| 45 | "Murder Weapon" | August 30, 2024 (2024-08-30) |
| 46 | TBA | September 2, 2024 (2024-09-02) |
| 47 | TBA | September 3, 2024 (2024-09-03) |
| 48 | "Desperate Measures" | September 4, 2024 (2024-09-04) |
| 49 | "Palacios' Impostor" | September 5, 2024 (2024-09-05) |
| 50 | "Deception" | September 6, 2024 (2024-09-06) |
| 51 | TBA | September 9, 2024 (2024-09-09) |
| 52 | "Palacios' Serial Killer" | September 10, 2024 (2024-09-10) |
| 53 | TBA | September 11, 2024 (2024-09-11) |
| 54 | TBA | September 12, 2024 (2024-09-12) |
| 55 | TBA | September 13, 2024 (2024-09-13) |
| 56 | TBA | September 16, 2024 (2024-09-16) |
| 57 | "On Bended Knee" | September 17, 2024 (2024-09-17) |
| 58 | TBA | September 18, 2024 (2024-09-18) |
| 59 | TBA | September 19, 2024 (2024-09-19) |
| 60 | TBA | September 20, 2024 (2024-09-20) |
| 61 | TBA | September 23, 2024 (2024-09-23) |
| 62 | TBA | September 24, 2024 (2024-09-24) |
| 63 | "Vivian's Karma" | September 25, 2024 (2024-09-25) |
| 64 | TBA | September 26, 2024 (2024-09-26) |
| 65 | "George, the Accused" | September 27, 2024 (2024-09-27) |
| 66 | "George is Pregnant" | September 30, 2024 (2024-09-30) |
| 67 | TBA | October 1, 2024 (2024-10-01) |
| 68 | TBA | October 2, 2024 (2024-10-02) |
| 69 | "Blackmail Video" | October 3, 2024 (2024-10-03) |
| 70 | "Finding Basil's Phone" | October 4, 2024 (2024-10-04) |
| 71 | "Sam's Confession" | October 7, 2024 (2024-10-07) |
| 72 | "Punishment" | October 8, 2024 (2024-10-08) |
| 73 | "Chaos" | October 9, 2024 (2024-10-09) |

## Development

The series was announced by GMA Network on January 1, 2024, set in the shared universe with television crime drama series – Widows' Web (2022) and Royal Blood (2023).

### Casting

Philippine actresses Bea Alonzo, Carla Abellana and Gabbi Garcia were announced on January 1, 2024 to headline the series. In the same month, Garcia left the series due to scheduling conflicts. Actress Jean Garcia served as her replacement. On January 23, 2024, during the series' story conference and script reading, several cast members were announced, including actor Mark Herras. Actor James Graham and actress Charlie Fleming both joined the series as regular cast members, portraying the same character they played in Royal Blood. In July 2024, actress Lianne Valentin reprised her role in Royal Blood as Beatrice Royales. In September 2024, actress Vaness del Moral and actor Arthur Solinap both reprised their respective roles in Widows' Web and Royal Blood. In November 2024, actress Carmina Villarroel made a guest appearance in the series, reprising her role as Barbara Sagrado-Dee in Widows' Web. Cast member from the television legal drama series, Lilet Matias: Attorney-at-Law – Jo Berry appeared in Widows' War, in her respective role.

## Production

Principal photography commenced on February 23, 2024. Filming of the series took place in Bataan, Batangas and La Union.

## Reception
### Ratings

According to AGB Nielsen Philippines' Nationwide Urban Television Audience Measurement People in television homes, the pilot episode of Widows' War earned an 8.9% rating. The final episode scored a 9.2% rating. The series had its highest rating on July 19, 2024 with a 12.3% rating.

### Critical response

Jerry Donato of The Philippine Star, stated the series is "well-thought with its characters and concept, and has a meticulously crafted story, which is executed properly by the cast and the director." Donato also complimented the work of actors Rafael Rosell and Benjamin Alves, and actress Bianca Manalo.

## Accolades

Accolades received by Widows' War :
| Year | Awards | Category | Recipient | Result |
| 2025 | 36th PMPC Star Awards for Television | Best Drama Actress | Bea Alonzo | Pending |
| 2025 | 36th PMPC Star Awards for Television | Best New Male TV Personality | Matthew Uy | Pending |
| 2025 | 36th PMPC Star Awards for Television | Best Primetime TV Series | Widows' War | Pending |

## Legacy

In December 2024, actresses Jean Garcia and Rita Daniela both appeared in the Philippine television legal drama series, Lilet Matias: Attorney-at-Law in a guest role, portraying the same character they played in Widows' War.