Dirty Linen (TV series)

Dirty Linen is a Philippine revenge drama television series that aired on Kapamilya Channel. Directed by Onat Diaz and Andoy Ranay, it stars Janine Gutierrez, Zanjoe Marudo, Seth Fedelin and Francine Diaz. The series premiered on the network's Primetime Bida evening block and worldwide via The Filipino Channel on January 23, 2023, replacing A Family Affair. The series concluded on August 25, 2023 with a total of 153 episodes. It was replaced by Senior High in its timeslot.

Plot 
A nanny, a driver, and two laundrywomen of a wealthy, aristocratic family mysteriously vanish one by one without a trace. Years later, the four houseworkers' respective family members and loved ones are out to get their revenge against the prominent family itself. To exact vengeance, they infiltrate the household under different identities in order to expose their dirty secrets. However, an encounter with the family's eldest son in the past will lead to obstacles getting in the way of the revenge plot.

Cast and characters
Lead cast
Janine Gutierrez as Alexa D. Salvacion / Mila Dela Cruz-Fiero
Erika Clemente as young Alexa
Zanjoe Marudo as Aidan R. Fiero
Enzo Pelojero as young Aidan
Francine Diaz as Chiara D. Fiero
Seth Fedelin as Nicolas "Nico" M. Sinag

Supporting cast
Tessie Tomas as Doña Cielo Flores-Fiero
Jane Oineza as young Cielo
John Arcilla as Carlos F. Fiero
Janice de Belen as Leona Roque-Fiero
Angel Aquino as Ma. Feliz F. Fiero-Pavia
Joel Torre as Rolando "Olan" Sinag / Abe Matias
Epy Quizon as Salvador "Ador" Pavia
JC Santos as Sr. Inspector Lemuel M. Onore
Christian Bables as Joseph Maximus "Max" Dionisio
 JJ Quilantang as young Max
Jennica Garcia as Lailani "Lala" Millado 
 Althea Ruedas as young Lala
Elisse Joson as Sophie Madrigales (season 2; recurring season 1)
Xyriel Manabat as Antonette "Tonet" F. Pavia
Raven Rigor as Clint F. Pavia

Recurring cast
Andrea Del Rosario as Atty. Olga Arguelles
Rubi Rubi as Precious Magtibay
Tart Carlos as Marisol
CJ Navato as Dennis
Ping Medina as Hector Tantoco
Angelica Lao as Bella Pineda
Lance Carr as Matt Villanueva
Sean Tristan as Ace
Bart Guingona as Silvio Madrigales
Raphael Robes as Villejo Meneses
Rans Rifol as Stella Baldomar
Hazel Orencio as Marites
Apey Obera as Glory
Kert Montante as Larry

Guest cast
Susan Africa as Pilar Mendoza-Onore
Soliman Cruz as Chief Alejandro Isidro
Joem Bascon as young Alejandro
Arnold Reyes as Jego Salvacion
Dolly de Leon as Olivia de Mesa-Salvacion
Karl Medina as Noel Dionisio
Liza Diño as Mariza "Riza" Manalo-Sinag
Ruby Ruiz as Lydia Millado
RK Bagatsing as Don Christopher "Chris" Fiero
Topper Fabregas (uncredited) as Aries M. Onore

Episodes

Production
On May 17, 2022, Janine Gutierrez, Zanjoe Marudo, Francine Diaz and Seth Fedelin were cast in the lead roles. Principal photography commenced in July 2022 and Filming took place in Lipa, Batangas.

Promotion
This show has been developed by The Good Son, Sino ang Maysala?: Mea Culpa and Flower of Evil. This series was succeeded by Senior High due to genre of crime, mystery and revenge drama.

Release
This series premiered on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, A2Z, Jeepney TV, TV5 and worldwide via The Filipino Channel from January 23 to August 25, 2023. It is also available on-demand via iWantTFC. The 12-episode exclusive cut were released on September 7, 2023 to Amazon Prime Video on 240 countries and territories worldwide.

Reception
With more than 40,000 tweets, the series' official hashtag was among the top trending topics in the Philippines as the pilot aired on Monday (January 23). Dirty Linen has accumulated 500 million combined views across all leading social media platforms within its ten episodes and over 1 billion overall views as of March 2023. The series reached its peak viewership of more than 200,000 (concurrent live viewers) on YouTube on August 25, 2023 for its finale episode.

Critical reception
Dirty Linen was met with widespread acclaim from critics and viewers for the "camera work, musical scoring and intriguing plot." Manila Standard gave the series a positive review, calling it a "new benchmark for PH drama series". It was also noted for its "compelling plot, suspenseful scenes, detail-oriented production and script, and a star-studded cast". Among the standouts includes Jennica Garcia and Xyriel Manabat, who were praised for their acting prowess and became one of the most talked about characters in the series online. Mark Angelo Ching of Pep PH also praised the series, lauding it for "changing the landscape" of teleseryes". Jet Valle of Business Mirror praised its subplots, the portrayals of each characters, the themes and the twists.

Ratings
According to the Nielsen NUTAM People Survey, Dirty Linen performed decently. Despite having limited reach on free television, Dirty Linen debuted with 3.6% rating, beating one of its timeslot rivals Poong, the Joseon Psychiatrist. The following episode, the series scored a 4.8% rating and ended its pilot week on Friday, January 27 with a rating of 4.2%.

Awards and nominations

Music
The main theme songs are "Simulan", which is sung by Kice,  and "Kung Makakapili Lang", which is sung by Cesca.

Soundtrack

References

Notes

External links

ABS-CBN original programming
Philippine crime television series
Philippine action television series
Serial killers in television
Works about corruption
Television series about organized crime
Murder in television
Television series about revenge
Television series by Dreamscape Entertainment Television
Philippine thriller television series
Psychological thriller television series
Philippine mystery television series
Philippine horror fiction television series
2020s Philippine television seasons
2023 Philippine television series debuts
2023 Philippine television series endings