ABS-CBN’s latest crime thriller drama “What Lies Beneath (WLB)” made its highly anticipated premiere last week, but how did it fare in the ratings game?
According to the latest Nielsen NUTAM People survey, the series had a modest start, trailing behind its rival “Sanggang Dikit FR (SDFR).”
On its pilot episode last Monday, October 20, the Kapamilya drama earned a 4.9 percent rating, placing 10th overall. This figure was 2.9 percent lower than SDFR’s 7.8 percent, which secured the fifth spot on the leaderboard. WLB’s debut also fell short compared to its predecessor, “It’s Okay To Not Be Okay,” which launched with a stronger 7.5 percent rating.
The following day, Tuesday, October 21, WLB saw a slight improvement, climbing by 0.3 percent to 5.2 percent while maintaining its 10th-place position. Meanwhile, SDFR continued its dominance in the same timeslot with an 8.5 percent rating.
However, by Wednesday, October 22, WLB’s performance dipped again, dropping to 4.6 percent and slipping to 11th place, as SDFR held steady with another 8.5 percent.
Despite its slow start in traditional TV ratings, “What Lies Beneath” appears to be resonating strongly with digital audiences. The series currently holds the number one spot on Netflix Philippines since its premiere and has garnered widespread praise from viewers on social media.
One week straight on Netflix PH’s number 1 spot! Thank you for watching ❤️ Ep 7 drops tonight at 8:45pm 🔪 #WhatLiesBeneath pic.twitter.com/K7EOXpkk6Z
— Arah Badayos (@arahjell) October 25, 2025
“TANGINA NAPAKA-CREEPY NI JAKE CUENCA SA WHAT LIES BENEATH ANG HUSAY!!!,” @altstarmagic tweeted.
TANGINA NAPAKA-CREEPY NI JAKE CUENCA SA WHAT LIES BENEATH ANG HUSAY!!! 😭👏 #WhatLiesBeneath pic.twitter.com/eQsqJKGIot
— ALTStarMagic 💫 (@AltStarMagic) October 19, 2025
@httpwillca, @itsmeTrisshy and @gauxycycline also tweeted sharing how good the new series is, especially how it showcases the effects of being silent and not speaking about the truth.
“i don’t watch filipino teleserye anymore but what lies beneath made me seated omg.”
i don't watch filipino teleserye anymore but what lies beneath made me seated omg pic.twitter.com/BIEp2ttojC
— dee (@httpwillca) October 20, 2025
“lakas ng What Lies Beneath sa Netflix ganyan talaga pag maganda story kahit d fave or kulang sa promo CVs na mismo magdadala.”
lakas ng What Lies Beneath sa Netflix ganyan talaga pag maganda story kahit d fave or kulang sa promo CVs na mismo magdadala
— TRISHA (@itsmeTrisshy) October 23, 2025
“ang ganda ng #WhatLiesBeneath it talks about how silence favors the oppressors. na ang katahimikan ay kailanman hindi pumapanig sa mga inosente. WHAT A GOOD GOOD GOOD WATCH!!!”
ang ganda ng #WhatLiesBeneath it talks about how silence favors the oppressors. na ang katahimikan ay kailanman hindi pumapanig sa mga inosente. WHAT A GOOD GOOD GOOD WATCH!!!
— margaux (@gauxycycline) October 19, 2025
@luvfromji meanwhile praised the acting of its lead stars Kaila Estrada and her younger version Krystal Mejes for their superb ‘mata-mata’ acting.
“MYGOSH! It’s giving MATA MATA ACTING again and IM DEFINITELY SEATED! the way they deliver every emotion through their eyes? POWERFUL. so so soo excited to see how this mystery unfolds in #WhatLiesBeneath”
#KailaEstrada as Erica#KrystalMejes as young Erica
— MYGOSH! It’s giving MATA MATA ACTING again and IM DEFINITELY SEATED!🔥the way they deliver every emotion through their eyes? POWERFUL. so so soo excited to see how this mystery unfolds in #WhatLiesBeneath #WLBWhatWeBuried pic.twitter.com/UIJfjOfHL1
— hanna ⋆ 𐙚 ̊. (@luvfromji) October 20, 2025
@chikakapamilya shared the same tweeting, “That Krystal Mejes is very Julia Montes coded ang acting noh?! Yung confrontation scene nya sa episode 2, ganun na ganun ang ang acting ni Julia M sa Mara Clara pag nagagalit. Mahusay!”
https://twitter.com/ChikaKapamilya/status/1980828972553490489
The question now is: can “What Lies Beneath” catch up in the television ratings race, or does its strong digital presence signal that more Kapamilya viewers have shifted their loyalties from traditional TV to online streaming platforms?
