US streaming service giant Netflix is delving in the Egyptian drama foray for the first time by cooperating with Mohamed Hefzy and Amr Salama to produce a paranormal based on the bestselling Arabic horror books by late author Ahmed Khaled Tawfik.
The show will be produced by Mohamed Hefzy, and Amr Salama, who will also be the show-runner and director.
🚨 خبر عاجل 🚨
ثالث مسلسلات Netflix الأصلية من الشرق الأوسط وأول عمل مصري سيكون مقتبسًا من سلسلة روايات #ما_وراء_الطبيعة للكاتب الراحل أحمد خالد توفيق. المسلسل سيكون من رؤية المخرج والمنتج التنفيذي عمرو سلامة والمنتج محمد حفظي. pic.twitter.com/5yEOC9Zkwr— Netflix MENA (@NetflixMENA) May 27, 2019
Set in the 1960s, Paranormal follows the adventures of Dr. Refaat Ismail as he comes up against various supernatural events. Tawfik penned 81 of the pocket novels – entitled Ma Waraa Al Tabiaa in Arabic – in the series before passing away in early 2018.
Ma Waraa Al Tabiaa sold more than 15 million copies in the Arab world.
Last summer Netflix announced the production of Jinn, their first original Middle Eastern series. Then, in April, the international entertainment service announced their second Arabic series, AlRawabi School for Girls.
“I’m proud to be working with Netflix on bringing to life the Paranormal series, which I hold dear to my heart,” said Mohamed Hefzy, one of the Middle East’s most recognised and prolific producers, who was behind films such as Cannes-bowing Clash and Yomeddine. He also serves as the director of the Cairo Film Festival, a role he took up last year. “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.”
Amr 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.”
“We are excited to continue our investment in Middle Eastern productions by adapting the highly acclaimed Paranormal novels into a thrilling new series,” Kelly Luegenbiehl, Netflix’s VP of international originals. “We’re also pleased to collaborate with prominent producer Mohamed Hefzy and director Amr Salama whose creative vision we look forward to bringing to our global audience.”
