Losing a loved one is never easy and figuring out how to parent while grieving adds another layer of chaos. That mix of heartbreak and humour has fuelled some of the best shows in recent years. Catalog, a new Egyptian Netflix series, does just that and people are noticing. It’s already among the top 2 series in the UAE and holds the number one spot in Egypt.
At the centre of it is Mohamed Farrag, one of Egypt’s most versatile actors, playing a role that hits deeply personal notes.
In Catalog, Farrag plays Youssef – a father suddenly left to care for his two children after the death of his wife. He’s not absent, but emotionally unprepared, and the show wastes no time making that clear. Before the first episode is even halfway through, Youssef is in tears.
From his awkward attempts at parenting (like forgetting to pack school lunches and buying food from other kids) to his quiet moments of connection with his children and brother, Farrag brings a kind of soft masculinity that feels honest and refreshing.
“Catalog is one of the most personal projects I’ve worked on. It’s a story about fatherhood, love, loss and it’s also about showing up when life asks the impossible of you. My role as Yousef taught me a lot about the power of resilience, the importance of community and the joys and hardships of parenting. The show is emotional, it’s funny, it’s raw and I think audiences across the region will resonate with the key messages,” said Farrag.
The series opens with a quietly absurd moment – a couple driving to a graveyard located right next to a mall. That mix of irony and grief sets the tone for what’s to come. Minutes later, we learn that Youssef’s wife, Amina, has passed away. What follows is the story of a family, Youssef, his teenage daughter Karima (Rital Abdelaziz), and young son Mansour (Ali El Beialy), trying to move forward without the person who kept them all grounded.
Amina did most of the parenting. Now, Youssef is left to figure it out. It’s not always smooth, but Catalog isn’t about perfect parenting, it’s a heartfelt family drama, worth watching.