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Monday, 12 April 2021

Some of the TV shows you should look out for this Ramadan

It’s the 2021 Ramadan TV guide: At the time of year where many of us realize we have a television, we thought we’d see what the airwaves have in store for us during the holy month. While not all show schedules have been released, we’ve done our best to gather what’s out so far:

The only drama we can stand in our lives right now: Harb Ahleya stars a strong female trio of Yousra, Jamila Awad, and Arwa Gouda. The series follows Yousra, who is forced to abandon her daughter as a child to be raised by the girl’s stepmother, making tensions high between the mother and daughter as the years pass. You can watch Harb Ahleya on Watch iT or on CBC at 7:45pm.

Then there’s Bein Al Sama Wel Ard, which is based on the novel by Naguib Mahfouz and stars Hani Salama and Dorra. The show promises to be more introspective than its peers, depicting a group of people of different beliefs and backgrounds getting stuck in an elevator and later being involved in each other’s lives. Catch the15-episode show during the first half of Ramadan on OnE at 11:30 pm and Shahid.

Meanwhile, Qasr El Nile follows Dina El Sheribini, who after her husband dies, is forced to wed his already-married brother. Catch the show on MBC at 9pm and OnE at 7:30pm and Shahid.

It wouldn’t be Ramadan without Nelly Karim, who joins Tara Emad and Mohamad Farrag in Ded El Kasr — a series revolving around marital problems in Egyptian society. You can catch it on CBC at 10pm or on Shahid and Watch iT.

Leading our action series lineup is the second season of the series Al Ekhteyar, which further commemorated the lives of Egyptian policemen who fought against terrorism in recent years. The cast boasts Karim Abdelaziz, Ahmed Mekky, Asmaa Abo Elyazeid, Injy El-Mokadem, Khaled El-Nabawy, and Mohamed Farrag and you can find the show on OnE at 9pm, Art at 11pm and Watch iT.

Depicting the flipside is El Qahera Kabul, which has been long awaited since it was pushed from last year. The series shadows fictional terrorist leaders, depicting how people fall into these organizations. Among the actors in the series are Tariq Lotfi, Fathi Abdelwahab, and Khaled Al-Sawy. Find it on CBC at 11pm, Al Hayah at 10pm and Watch iT.

A little explosion here and there (and a pinch of moustache) to help the iftar go down: Ahmed El Sakka and Egypt’s Tom Selleck (Amir Karara) teamed up this Ramadan to bring the action-packed Nasl El Aghrab. The duo are pitted against each other after one of them marries the other’s wife while he was in prison. The series will be shown on OnE at 8pm and Watch iT. Mohamed Ramadan’s new show Moussa is a historic drama set during the time of the British occupation of Egypt. Moussa is a man from Upper Egypt taking care of his brothers in an action-filled series full of revenge, patriotism, and political turmoil. Watch Moussa on MBC at 10pm, Art at 10pm, DMC, and DMC Drama, as well as Shahid and Watch iT. Finally, Hagma Mortada features Ahmed Ezz and Hend Sabri in a romantic thriller following the duo’s experiences working in Egypt’s secret services. The show will be aired on DMC, DMC Drama, and Art at 9pm, and released on Watch iT and Shahid.

The midnight thriller hour: Director Tamer Mohsen has teamed up with actress Mona Zaki for Le3bet Newton, a thriller following a woman who travels abroad after disagreements with her husband. You can find the show on DMC at 12am and Watch iT.

Hoping for some laughs this Ramadan? Fares Bela Gawaz is reminiscent of films from the early 2000s, starring Mostafa Amar as he tries to search for a wife in a comedy series that will air on Al Nahar, Al Nahar Drama, Al Mehwar, and Al Qahera Wel Nas. We’re also looking forward to Amina Khalil and Mohamed Mamdouh’s lighthearted series Khalee Balak Mn Zizi which sees Khalil take on the role of a strong spirited woman who seems to go around breaking all the rules. The show will be on MBC Masr at 9:30pm and on Shahid. Meanwhile, the woes of parenting is the main theme in the 15-episode comedy series Ahsan Aab starring Ali Rabei which will show on Al Hayah at 11pm. Then there’s Zeina and Ahmed El Sadaany who head a criminal ring in Kolo Bel 7ob that will be airing on Al Nahar at 10pm, Al Nahar Drama at 8pm, and Shahid.

Don’t say we didn’t warn you: Ramez just won’t quit. His show 3a2lo Taar will be shown on MBC Masr at 6:30pm and Shahid, so you can keep flipping the channel. Seriously, watching Ramadan ads is a better use of time.

The lone sci-fi entry hitting way too close to home: A sci-fi show that has been praised for its graphics and filmmaking, Covid-25, is heading to OnE at 11pm during the second half of Ramadan. We’re reluctant to call it sci-fi as it seems pretty realistic right about now, but the show follows Doctor Yassin, played Youssef El Sherif, as he heads a medical group that tries to manufacture vaccines to fight dangerous diseases hitting the world.

No Egyptian Game of Thrones this year: Pharaonic TV series El Malek was suspended from being released this Ramadan after receiving backlash for historical inaccuracies. The show’s producer United Media Services said it would form a committee of history, archeology and sociology experts to watch and review the show, the company said in a statement. El Malek, which features Amr Youssef as the Pharaoh Ahmose, faced heavy criticism over his “historically inaccurate” beard (eyeroll) as well as the cast’s costumes that failed to represent the era. Arab News and The Times UK have the story.

Talk shows are getting a shake up during Ramadan: Amr Adib’s talk show El Hekaya is moving to Shahid during the month of Ramadan, with episodes dropping on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday at 10pm, Adib announced on his show (watch, runtime: 03:36). Meanwhile, Kelma Akhira with Lamees El Hadidi will be moved to Extra News airing on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday at 11pm, reports Youm7. Ala Mas’ouleety will remain on Sada El Balad, but will be shortened to an hour with Ahmed Moussa saying he would reveal the show times later today, the channel reported.

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