Are you familiar with Egypt’s beloved puppet Abla Fahita? Well, if you aren’t yet acquainted, not to worry because Netflix recently commissioned her own show, assuring the satirical humor and sharp tongue Egyptian audiences have come to love will soon reach audiences worldwide. Fahita was first introduced to the limelight online back in 2010 and from there she went on to star in her own show in 2014 called Abla Fahita Live from the Duplex on CBC channel.
The release date is set for some time next year and will be produced by OKWRD production in cooperation with ASAP Productions and EP Amin El Masri. The scripted series format will be a first for the character, who is used to more of an improvised, off-the-cuff approach with her previous program. The comedy drama is said to focus on Fahita’s life after her sudden rise to fame.
Netflix Director of International Originals, Ahmed Sharkawi said in statement, “We are very excited to be collaborating with Abla Fahita, one of the most prominent comedians in Egypt and the wider Arab region. We are looking forward to working with Abla Fahita in order to bring our Arab and international audience a fun innovative series full of laughter and excitement.”
Even Fahita herself weighed in on the recent Netflix partnership, “Damn this globalization! I barely had enough time for my own show and now they want me to do a series. The only thing that made me consider their offer, is that Netflix will release the series in more than 20 languages, and it will be watched in 190 countries by more than 158 million viewers with their relatives worldwide.”
Fahita’s show will mark the second Netflix Egyptian original, with the first being an adaptation of Ahmed Khaled Tawfik’s Paranormal. Egyptian actor and writer Ahmed Amin will star in the new horror series as Dr. Refaat Ismail, a hematologist untethered to a committed relationship while facing otherworldly forces in Egypt during the 1960s.
With regards to Amin starring in the upcoming Tawfik series, showrunner, producer and director Amr Salama recently said, “Amin brings a level of authenticity and a powerful onscreen presence that we felt was the ultimate fit for the portrayal of Dr. Refaat Ismail. With such a strong local cast paired with striking special effects, we can’t wait to get production underway…” Production began in November and is currently ongoing.