In an exclusive statement to Al-Ahram Arabic, El-Shennawy said that a few episodes of select series, some caught his attention.
He points to Etnein Gherna (Two Other People), which he praises for its dramatic structure and directorial vision, noting also that the work is set in a non-conventional space. Steering away from the prevailing formula gives the drama a noticeable.
Etnein Gherna is a Romantic drama directed by Khaled El-Halafawy and stars Asser Yassin, Dina El-Sherbiny, Nardine Farag, Nour Ehab, and Mohamed El-Seweisy.
El-Shennawy expressed his surprise at the major bet placed on a young actor, Ahmed Ramzy, in Fakhr El Delta (Pride of the Delta), a series directed by Hady Bassiouny with Sandra Nashaat as supervising director.
He sees that the creators must have had a good reason to put this huge responsibility on Ramzy.
"I needed to see clear justifications for this decision. It was a risky choice, while keeping in mind Ramzy's limited credentials. As I followed the episodes, I found nothing to support the bet. The performance leans toward forced lightness. I do not find an emerging comedy star here.”
Ramzy previously appeared in minor roles in the film Rahba (2023), the TV series Fi Betna Robot I and II (A Robot in the House, 2021 and 2022), and Hob Ala Nadafa (Love from Scratch, 2016), a play written and directed by Sherif Helmy.
In Fakhr El-Delta, Ramzy portrays a young man from a Nile Delta village with big dreams of making it in the world of advertising. After joining a private advertising production company, he faces an early professional and psychological shock when he is assigned to create an ad promoting cemeteries. Set within a light social framework, the series follows his struggle to adapt to city life, navigate class divides, and fierce competition.
In the series, he is joined by young up-and-coming, as well as well-established actors: Kamal Abu Rayyah, Entesar, Ahmed Essam El-Sayed, Mohamed Mahmoud, Tara Abboud, among others.
From actor Ahmed Ramzy, El-Shennawy moved to Mostafa Ghareeb in the series Heya Kemya (Is it Chemistry?) directed by Essam Khairy.
"Here, the bet to place him in a leading role is more logical, not to mention that he is supported by cast carrying the load with him. Ghareeb had already appeared in multiple works and succeeded to carving his place among the viewers," said El-Shennawy, referring to 40 works since the mid 2020s that Ghareeb appeared in, spanning films, TV and radio series, and theatre.
El-Shennawy also commented on Sohab Al Ard (People of the Land), praising both director Peter Mimi and the scenarist Ammar Sabry.
"The series engages with layered details and tackles serious issues without losing its connection with viewers," he said. He also shed light on the score composed by Amin Bouhafa, describing it as a "strong support for the drama’s overall atmosphere."
A historical drama, Sohab Al Ard delves into the roots of land ownership and identity, focusing on the Palestinian struggle during the Israeli war on Gaza. It portrays the deep emotional bond between the people and the soil they were born on.
The series stars Eyad Nassar, Menna Shalaby, Kamel El-Basha, Adam Bakri, Tara Abboud, and Sarah Yousef.
As for Ein Sehreya (Magic Eye), starring Essam Omar and Bassem Samra, El-Shennawy also highlighted a solid script by Hisham Hilal and director Al Sadeer Massoud.
"As for the lead, Essam Omar has become a genuine star in the making, possessing both charisma and presence, and that this season confirmed his ability to attract audiences and achieve high viewership."
The story follows a young man who accidentally witnesses a crime through a digital security system and becomes the killer's next target.
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