The anticipated show 'Paranormal' that follows the adventures of a favorite hero of 1980s and 1990s Arab youth readers, Dr Refaat Ismail, portrayed by popular comedian Ahmed Amin, will be released this fall.

 

Comments, memories and comics circulated on social media in Egypt Saturday, hours after leading internet streaming service Netflix published the first photos from the shooting of the "first Netflix Arabic Original from Egypt."

 

With a script by renowned screen writer Amr Salama, who also directs with Majid Al-Ansari, Paranormal that was "wrapped up lately after a halt due to the Corona pandemic," also features Razane Jammal as Maggie Mckillop, and Aya Samaha.

 

 

With a dark sense of humour, the show that is based on the best selling thriller novel series by Dr Ahmed Khalid Tawfik, explores Dr Refaat's "journey of doubt" in his 40s when he experiences paranormal activities.

 

"Throughout the season, Refaat is accompanied by his university colleague, Maggie, as they enter the paranormal world and try to save their loved ones from the immense danger that surrounds them," Netflix stated Saturday when publishing the set photos.

 

 

The series is produced by Mohamed Hefzy and Salama, is filmed in Egypt, with staff writers also including Mahmoud Ezzat, Dina Maher and Omar Khaled.

 

"Everyday on set, when I saw the books' characters that I admired all my life turning into flesh and blood my heart used to skip a beat," stated Salama.

 

The high-profile duo Salama and Hefzy last collaborated in 2017 on the award-winning movie Sheikh Jackson, currently available on Netflix.

 

 

The crew also includes Ahmed ‘Shiko’ Beshary (Ahmed Hafez, director of photography), Ali Hossam (production designer), Dina Nadeem (costume designer), Andrew Mckenzie (stunt coordinator) with music created by Khaled Kamar and VFX by AROMA.

 

Amin has in recent years proved his acting skills, gaining fame with the TV show 'Al-Plateau' and starring in series including ‘Al-Wassiya.' He also recently introduced his theatre project 'Amin and Partners.'

 

 

"8 August marks the death anniversary of Dr Refaat. The myth of the Godfather [Tawfik] who was never a mere imagination. He was a real friend for a whole generation," wrote Amin.

 

With 193 million paid memberships in over 190 countries, Netflix is a platform that combines many original and exclusive TV series, documentaries and feature films across a wide variety of genres and languages.