- Netflix has revealed a new Egyptian original series
- The series will be overseen by the director/producer Amr Salama and producer Mohamed Hafez.
- Netflix has announced that not one, but two Arabic original series will be coming to the platform
- It is an adaptation of a series of horror novels by late Egyptian author Ahmed Khaled Tawfik
There’s a cool new original show coming to Netflix and it’s going to be pretty amazing by the sound of it. Called Paranormal, it will be the first-ever original Egyptian drama on the platform.
In the past year, global streaming giant Netflix has revealed that it has two new Arabic original series in the works. Soon, a brand-new Egyptian drama will be added to that list.
Paranormal is Netflix’s latest project in the Arab world: an adaptation of a series of horror novels by late Egyptian author Ahmed Khaled Tawfik. He has written over 81 pocket novels in the Paranormal or Ma Waraa Al Tabiaa series, and has sold over 15 million copies.
The show will be set in the 1960s and follows the adventures of Dr. Refaat Ismail, a hematologist who comes face to face with a weird and perplexing string of supernatural incidents.
— Netflix MENA (@NetflixMENA) May 27, 2019
The series, rumoured to be shot in Egypt, will be produced by Mohamed Hefzy, the award-winning Egyptian screenwriter and producer of around 30 feature films, and his Film Clinic company, the force behind Cannes Palme d’Or-nominated Youmeddine.
They’ve also tapped Egyptian talent Amr Salama as director and showrunner, who has films like Egypt’s 2018 Oscar entry Sheikh Jackson to his name.
Hefzy, who’s also president of Cairo International Film Festival, said in a statement, “I’m proud to be working with Netflix on bringing to life the Paranormal series, which I hold dear to my heart. I’m also excited to be cooperating again with long time collaborator and friend, director Amr Salama. Together with Netflix, we aim to present a show of international quality and that lives up to the promises and ambitions of Egyptian and Arabic drama.”
Salama added, “I’m very excited about this project, It was my dream to adapt Paranormal of the late author Ahmed Khaled Tawfik and turn it into a drama since I ever wanted to be a filmmaker. I’m proud to present the books in a new light while still keeping the essence of Paranormal. I can’t wait to introduce these exciting stories to the Netflix public in 190 countries around the world”.
Netflix have shown a keen interest in investing in more Middle East focused content; Jinn, based in Jordan, premieres on June 13 and they recently announced AlRawabi School for Girls, a high school drama with an all-female Arab cast and crew.
