The popular fictional US drama series Suits is set to return to screens across the Middle East in Ramazan. But with a twist… The hit legal series is getting an Arabic-language adaptation that will launch across ME during the holy month.
The popular show was a raging success for NBC Universal Formats and originally ran for a total of nine seasons dated 2011 to 2019. To bring the adaptation to fruition, a partnership between NBC Universal Formats, Cairo media company TVision, Egyptian Media giant UMS and Dubai broadcaster OSN is in place where they introduced the show featuring the A-listers of the Arab glamour industry.
Originally essayed by Gabriel Macht, the lead role of the reprising character, Harvey Specter, a smooth-talking senior lawyer, will be played by Egyptian star Asser Yasin. Arab actor Ahmed Dawoud will essay Harvey’s mentee, Mike, also a great lawyer despite his scant qualification. Jordanian actor Saba Mubarak has been cast as Jessica, the co-founder of the law firm, while Mohamed Shahin will play Louis, her partner in the firm. Reem Mostafa will play Donna, Harvey's secretary and confidante, and Egyptian model and actor Tara Emad will play Rachel, the role made famous by Meghan Markle, a paralegal who aspires to be a lawyer.
The adaptation has been penned by famed Egyptian writer and director Mohamed Hefzy – who recently was a jury member at the Sundance Film Festival – and Yasser Abdel Mageed while Myriam Ahmadi will take on the project to direct the series.
Shoot for Arabic Suits has already kicked off and its first two seasons consisting of a total of 30 episodes are slated to air on OSN starting April 2. Egyptian audiences will also be able to stream it on the platform Watchit.
Suits has been an example of a well-written show with promising characters and Egyptian media personnel believe that repurposing such shows into regional formats is not only important for representation but also “in the context of Egypt’s ongoing development as a mature and compelling media market.”
Tarek El Ganainy, founder and chief executive of TVision Media Productions feels “thrilled” to launch the Arabic version of a successful international television series. “While it remains heavily inspired by the American drama, our version is unique and authentic to Egypt, featuring a celebrated cast of regional stars,” shared Ganainy in a statement.
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