After dropping the teaser two weeks ago, Netflix has dropped the full trailer for its next major Arabic-language original The Exchange, and it keeps looking better.
The series, set in glorious 80s Kuwait, follows the women who upended the cutthroat world of the stock market boys club—and it’s inspired by a true story.
The show, which premieres February 8, was created and written by Nadia Ahmad, Anne Sobel and Adam Sobel, and the women-centric story of Farida and Munira features a star-studded cast of Kuwaiti talent, including Rawan Mahdi, Mona Hussain, Mohammed Al Mansour, Faisal Alamiri and Hussain Almahdi.
We’re already huge fans of Ahmad here at Esquire Middle East, including her in our list of the 40 Arabs that are changing the world of TV and film. See the full list here.
“I grew up in Kuwait, surrounded by empowered women who were pioneering industries, especially in finance. They demanded to be heard and succeeded, breaking into the workforce and blazing new trails for future generations. ‘The Exchange’ is my love letter to them, bringing an amalgamation of them to life in Farida and Munira in a new and exciting way,” says Nadia Ahmad.
“‘The Exchange’ is a labor of love, the result of years of collaboration and hard work as we researched the 80s to build the visceral world in an authentic way. From interviews with historians and people who lived through these experiences, to polishing the plotlines, The Exchange was a creative rollercoaster and we are so excited to see it launch on Netflix,” add Anne and Adam Sobel, speaking in unison.
‘The Exchange’ is produced by Abdullah Boushahri and directed by Jasem AlMuhanna and Karim El Shenawy, and will be available on Netflix in 190 countries on February 8 2023.
Here’s the official description from Netflix:
Inspired by true events, The Exchange follows the story of Farida and Munira, two women who set out to pioneer the cutthroat stock market of 1980s Kuwait – and disrupt its corrupt boys’ club along the way. Starring Rawan Mahdi, Mona Hussain and Hussain Almahdi, The Exchange takes the audience on a journey of the challenges of navigating a male dominated industry during a time when the stock market in Kuwait was booming.
Farida is a recent divorcee who is on a mission to prove she can provide for her daughter. Having been a devoted housewife and out of work for the last 13 years, Farida makes the decision to become self-sufficient and joins her cousin, Munira, to be the first women at the Kuwaiti Stock Exchange.
Munira is a Clerk for the Bank of Tomorrow’s Trading Division, at the Kuwait Stock Exchange. An independent, smart and sassy woman, she is passionate about her career and strengthening her independence in her new job.
Together, Farida and Munira face challenges as they shatter the glass ceiling of the male-oriented financial market, embarking on a journey of sisterhood, perseverance, ambition and strength.
Find it here.