As many Filipino viewers know, the local entertainment industry has numerous drama series that tug at the audience’s heartstrings. Some of these shows become generational hits, like Mara Clara and Pangako Sa’Yo, which set the bar for how local networks should produce their following projects.
This 2023, the Dreamscape drama series Dirty Linen hopes to become the benchmark for succeeding shows. It promises a compelling plot, suspenseful scenes, detail-oriented production and script, and a star-studded cast.
It follows the story of the Fiero family and how they wronged other families whose members are now seeking justice and revenge. According to director Andoy Ranay, the show’s title comes from the idiomatic expression, “Don’t wash your dirty linen in public.” It means to refrain from discussing private matters publicly.
Dirty Linen stars a roster of celebrities with undeniable star power, with recent Golden Globe nominee Dolly De Leon kicking off the series and its cycle of secrecy, violence, and revenge. Joining her are veteran actors Tessie Tomas, Joel Torre, Angel Aquino, John Arcilla, and Janice de Belen.
Other cast members include Janine Gutierrez, Zanjoe Marudo, Francine Diaz, Seth Fedelin, Epy Quizon, Xyriel Manabat, JC Santos, Raven Rigor, and Jennica Garcia, to name a few.
With such a cast, audiences can expect a dynamic performance throughout the series. But their talents can only go so far without a script and plot that’s up to par.
Nowadays, Korean drama, or K-drama, remains at the top in creating new shows for the big and small screens. Before the K-drama phenomenon, viewers from across the globe loved watching Mexican telenovelas for their surprising plots.
Yet even though K-drama remains the standard for what people want to see, it shouldn’t stop Filipino creatives from producing a project that has similar elements but maintains or amplifies Filipino roots.
“We made it [Dirty Linen] proudly Filipino—sariling atin. Nandoon pa rin ‘yung touches ng Pinoy teleserye; kung paano gumawa ‘yung mga Pilipino. Pero dahil nga may benchmark, itataas natin ang antas. Medyo mahirap pero nagawa naman namin,” Ranay said during the Grand Media Conference for Dirty Linen.
Sharing the helm of the project with Ranay as the director is Onat Diaz. He was already around when the story was but a germ of an idea. However, he clarifies that whatever similarities Dirty Linen has with K-drama is an unconscious coincidence.
“We are aware na maraming influences that would affect filmmakers of today. Every creative process would involve culling different influences,” he said.
One thing they made clear, they want Dirty Linen to compete with the global standard and stand side-by-side with the original content from different streaming services. Ranay and Diaz have since set out to make the series look compelling, from its storytelling to the entire production.
Unlike the usual television series that Filipinos became accustomed to, the directors made Dirty Linen intending to make it look compelling and cinematic yet fresh to keep audiences on their toes.
Dirty Linen premieres tonight at 9:30 on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, and A2Z.
