Netflix is on the look out for compelling stories from the Arab world, particularly “big ideas” that give the opportunity to represent the diverse voices in the region, to add to its extensive collection of shows.
“We are here to tell stories by Arabs for Arabs, and then take them to the world,” says Ahmed Sharkawi, director of Arab and African Original series at Netflix. “We want to collaborate with creators from all around the Arab world. What we are looking for is big stories. Big ideas. And I don’t mean they need to be big productions. There are big ideas that are small productions, and others that are mega productions. So it’s all about ideas. And we’re out there shopping.”
Netflix began its regional production mission in Jordan. Last summer, the streaming platform released its first Arabic Original series, Jinn. The show, set in modern-day Amman and ancient Petra, tells the story of a group of teenagers who unwittingly invite the supernatural forces of a jinn into their world.
A few months after Jinn premiered, the streaming service announced its second Arabic Original series, AlRawabi School for Girls, which follows a group of bullied outcasts at a girls' school in Jordan.
"We're very proud of the show," Sharkawi says. The female-centric teenage drama became an instant fan favorite, he adds.
Earlier this month, Netflix also launched its first Egyptian Original series, Paranormal, setting a milestone for thrillers produced in the Arab world.
The show is based on the bestselling novel series of the same name by the late Ahmed Khaled Tawfik, who is often hailed as the first contemporary horror and science-fiction writer in the Arab world. The story, set in the 1960s, centres on haematologist Refaat Ismail (Ahmed Amin) who tries to uncover the truth behind a series of supernatural events.
"Paranormal is particularly special because it's based on the famous book series [Ma Waraa Al Tabiaa]," Sharkawi says. "It is one of the top-selling novel series in the region with many, many fans. We hope that genre fans identify with it and see something different in the show."
Sharkawi says he hopes the series will inspire budding filmmakers and creators in the region to dream bigger. He cites Paranormal creator Amr Salama as an example, saying the Egyptian filmmaker had been striving to bring the series to the screen for 15 years.
“He proves that one day things can happen,” Sharkawi says. “This is our message to the industry, to bring the bigger shows. And we’re happy to be there and usher it to the world, not just the Middle East.”
Sharkawi says he hopes Paranormal will pave the way for genre appreciation in the region, saying that not enough supernatural or sci-fi works are produced in this part of the world. But that, he says, is also down to the cost of such productions.
“The amount of visual and special effects that were employed in the show is unprecedented in the region, especially for a series,” he says. “Usually you’d see that in a feature film, but to do that level of production across six 45-minute episodes is unprecedented.”
Sharkawi says that after the shooting process, Salama often joked that producing Paranormal was not so much like making a six-episode series as it was creating six separate films.
"So the scale definitely allows the industry to dream bigger and bring in higher quality content as a series," Sharkawi says. "Everyone talks about the big blockbusters being film, but never talk about the blockbuster or a big-scale TV series. I think Paranormal will set the stage for more shows of this genre and scale to come."
We are here to tell stories by Arabs for Arabs, and then take them to the world
The premium drama concept, Sharkawi says, is still a new concept in the Arab world. And Netflix will help it gain in popularity and appeal. He also notes that productions were usually forced to adhere to a month-long 30-episode format. Shows such as Paranormal and AlRawabi School for Girls will help extricate productions from that trend, so creators will no longer feel bound to unnecessarily stretch or abridge storylines.
"We want to empower creators and give them the freedom to structure their vision however they see fit," Sharkawi says. "With Paranormal, we decided on making a six-episode series, that does not mean other shows have to follow the same format. Some shows could be shorter, others can be longer."
So what is Netflix Mena cooking up? Sharkawi says there are a number of projects in the pipeline including the drama featuring Egypt's most popular comedy puppet: Abla Fahita. Titled Drama Queen, the show features six 20-minute episodes, and will present a more human side to the smart-talking puppet, with her being implicated in a crime and forced to separate from her children.
Netflix has also teamed up with Tunisian superstar Hend Sabry. "We're very proud of Sabry finally getting her chance to produce her own show, which is a female-centric dramedy that we're sure fans will be able to connect with," he says, not revealing whether the show had been given a title yet.
Netflix also managed to persuade Egyptian superstar Amr Diab out of his 27-year acting hiatus. Though not much is known about his series at the moment, what’s certain is that it will be a musical drama. “We’re bringing him back to the drama scene for the first time since 1993,” Sharkawi says.
There are a number of other projects under wraps, but the streaming service will continue looking for the next "big idea", Sharkawi says, throwing its support behind regional storytellers, whether established or up-and-coming, helping them to tell their stories to the world.
Jawan
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The 12 breakaway clubs
England
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur
Italy
AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus
Spain
Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
The BIO:
He became the first Emirati to climb Mount Everest in 2011, from the south section in Nepal
He ascended Mount Everest the next year from the more treacherous north Tibetan side
By 2015, he had completed the Explorers Grand Slam
Last year, he conquered K2, the world’s second-highest mountain located on the Pakistan-Chinese border
He carries dried camel meat, dried dates and a wheat mixture for the final summit push
His new goal is to climb 14 peaks that are more than 8,000 metres above sea level
What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
- Grade 2 = between grades E and F
- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
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Copa del Rey final
Sevilla v Barcelona, Saturday, 11.30pm (UAE), match on Bein Sports
Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances
All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
THE DETAILS
Director: Milan Jhaveri
Producer: Emmay Entertainment and T-Series
Cast: John Abraham, Manoj Bajpayee
Rating: 2/5
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
