ABS-CBN, the Philippines’ leading content provider, continues to showcase world-class Filipino stories that bring entertainment and inspiration to various audiences globally with one of its hit primetime series, “The Legal Wife,” being adapted in Malaysia as “Isteri Halal” and currently leading the TV ratings race locally as it airs weeknights on Astro’s cable channel, Astro Ria.

Since its release last February 27, the show continues to enjoy high viewership levels in Malaysia and tops all programs in the 6 PM timeslot based on DTAM’s report dated April 29, 2023. Meanwhile, netizens have been talking about “Isteri Halal” on social media, garnering millions of views across Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.  

The adaptation, produced by Radius One, stays true to the original series while highlighting Malaysian culture that appeals to its local audience—starring Malaysia’s award-winning actors Isyariana Che Azmi, Aidit Noh, and Uqasha Senrose.

First shown locally in the Philippines in 2014, “The Legal Wife” stars Angel Locsin, Maja Salvador, and Asia’s Prince of Drama Jericho Rosales, which revolves around two childhood friends—both yearning for a father’s love and eventually the same man, entangling them in an affair filled with lust, deceit, and betrayal.

Astro Ria’s head Norzeha Mohd Salleh expressed delight with the show’s overall quality and its reception from local audiences.

“The combination of its great cast and a great director makes ‘Isteri Halal’ a must-watch nightly, certainly living up to the standards set by the original ABS-CBN series. We are also delighted with the viewership feats it has amassed since its premiere, and we are overwhelmed with the support from our avid audiences,” Norzeha addressed.

Prior to the continued success of “Isteri Halal,” Astro first adapted ABS-CBN’s 2009 drama series “The Two of Us” (locally known as “Tayong Dalawa”) entitled “Angkara Cinta,” which ended its run as the most-watched show on Astro Prima in 2020.

Apart from “Isteri Halal” and “Angkara Cinta,” other ABS-CBN shows were adapted internationally, with the Turkish remakes of “A Mother’s Guilt” and “The Good Son” the most recent adaptations produced.

Selling over 50,000 hours of content to over 50 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America, ABS-CBN continues its pursuit in producing and distributing world class Filipino shows all over the world.