For Arabic-language television, there is no bigger time than Ramadan, as the whole family joins each other to watch the brand new crop of new tv series and returning favourites each year, cementing brand new superstars and cultural touchtones every night for the entire month.
As the first few episodes crop up, here’s our list of the shows you’re not going to want to miss this month.
All the best new Ramadan series
London Class
Starring: Laila Abdullah،Rawan Mahdi، Lulwa Almulla، Mila Alzahrani، Hamad Ashkanani، Abdullah Alramyan، Rayam Aljazairi،
Set in 1980s London, a group of Arab students attempts to navigate life amid love, jealousy, and conspiracy in the city of fog. Featuring a standouts performance including from The Exchange star Rawan Mahdi among many others, it’s no wonder this is top shows on MBC Shahid right now–and you need to check it out.
Watch on MBC Shahid here.
Gaafar El Omda
Starring: Mohamed Ramadan, Zeina, Hala Sedki
Esquire cover star Mohamed Ramadan is back again, in what promises to be his best Ramadan hit since Al Prince (2020). In Gafaar El Omda, Ramadans tars as a Gafaar, a rich businessman and village elder who is approached by a woman for money. He agrees, but only if she will become his wife for 400 days.
Watch on MBC Shahid here.
A Sitdown with Anas and Hala
Starring: Anas Bukhash, Hala Kazim
Esquire cover star Anas Bukhash is back for a with his biggest interview yet: His own mother. In a five-episode series airing throughout the month of Ramadan, Bukhash and mother Hala Kazim will discuss curiosity-fueled topics including grief, creating boundaries, and making connections, while offering a glimpse into their personal relationship in an intimate setting, according to OSN. The first episode premiered March 24, and will air weekly.
Watch on OSN here.
El Keteeba 101 (Batallion 101)
Starring: Asser Yassin, Amr Youssef, Khaled Elsawy
Esquire cover star Asser Yassin is back after his stint as Harvey Specter in last year’s OSN hit Suits Arabia, this time teaming up with superstar Amr Youssef with guns ablazing in their new season Keteeba 101, following the 101st batallion of the Egyptian Army as they battle terrorists on the Sinai Peninsula in 2014, in a seemingly impossible situation.
Based on true events, this series uncovers what really happened as the Egyptian army fought off a Daesh-aligned group when it seemed all hope was lost.
Watch on MBC Shahid here.
Seroh Al Bateaa
Starring: Ahmad Fahmy, Ahmed Salah El Saadany, Shams
Egyptian director Khaled Youssef makes his small screen debut this Ramadan with a historical drama jumping between 2023 and 1798, when Egypt was in the throes of the French-Egyptian war.
Watch on Starzplay here.
Wa Akheerkhan
Starring: Nadine Nassib Njeim، Kosai Khauli، Muna Wassef، Camille Salameh، Gabriel Yammine
One of the top hits of Ramadan thus far, this series follows a love torn apart. “After ex-convict Yaqout’s engagement party, a gang kidnaps his fiancée Khayal along with other women, sending him on perilous journey to save the love of his life,” says MBC.
Watch on MBC Shahid here.
Khaymat Ramadan
A world-class cooking show hosted by Mohammad Hanafy, Khaymat Ramadan
is a culinary extravaganza featuring 18 renowned celebrity chefs, such as Chef Chahrazad, Chef Sumaya Obaid, Chef Afnan, Chef Wafik, and Chef Marwan. Showcasing global flavors and unique food cultures, the 30-episode series is divided into three segments: Suhoor, Iftar, and Desserts, with dedicated chefs specializing in each course.
Watch on beIN channel 251 & Jawwy channel 54, the show will air every day at 12:00 KSA time.
Rasheed
Cast:
Mohamed Mamdouh، Riham Abdel Ghafour، Salah Abdallah، Khaled Kamal، Tamer Nabiel
Rasheed
Widowed Rasheed is just getting his life back on track when he is falsely imprisoned for murder. He becomes obsessed with proving his innocence and getting his revenge.
Watch on MBC Shahid here.
Al Aghar
Starring: Mohamed Mamdouh، Riham Abdel Ghafour، Salah Abdallah، Khaled Kamal، Tamer Nabiel
Filmed in Africa, this new series of returning star Mohamed Mamdouh follows a man falsley accused of killing his mom, who continues his life abroad on the run. “But his return home to find his family uncovers mysterious secrets about his past,” says MBC.
Watch on MBC Shahid here.
Minho Waladna 2
Starring: Ibrahim Al Hajjaj, Fayez Bin Jurays, Khalid Al Farraj
Saudi comedian Ibrahim Al Hajjaj is back after a huge year with his film Sattar with the second season of Minho Waladna, bringing his trademark charm again to the story of two brothers trying to run a business with decidedly mixed results.
Watch on MBC Shahid here.
El Kabeer Awy 7
Starring: Ahmed Mekky, Bayoumi Fouad, Mohamed Sallam، Rahma Ahmed
The massive hit is back with its seventh season, with Ahmed Mekky returning as Al Kabeer, the mayor of Mazareeta, and his ever-growing list of twins as they tackle out-there plot twists, this year including one grown adult son who is transformed into a kid.
Watch on MBC Shahid here.
Bab Al Hara 13
Starring: Nizar Abu Hajar, Nijah Sefkouni, Fadia Khattab and Tayser Iddriss
The GOAT of Ramadan is back, and so is Nizar Abu Hajar, as the actor returns to the iconic Syrian series about life in Damascus in the 1940s.
Watch on Starzplay here.
Till Death 3
Starring: Maguy Bou Ghosn، Daniella Rahme، Ward El Khal، Mehyar Khaddour، Yamen Hgele
The acclaimed drama is back for its third season, this time following Reem and Sahar as they choose to start anew. “But just when things start coming together, new vendettas emerge, digging up a past never buried,” says MBC.
Watch on MBC Shahid here.