Netflix announces first Arabic original series titled Jinn
Do we already have a contender for the show we're going to binge-watch in 2019?
According to Hollywood Reporter, Netflix has unveiled its first Arabic original series. titled Jinn; the series will be a contemporary teen drama centered around a group of friends whose lives are disrupted when a supernatural being known as a Jinn appears to them in the form of a teenage boy in the ancient city of Petra. Their alliances are tested when they embark on a journey to stop a great darkness that is threatening to destroy the world.
The six-episode supernatural drama will feature Middle Eastern talent and will be shot in Jordan later this year.
The show is being executive produced by Elan and Rajeev Dassani, comes from rising Lebanese director Mir-Jean Bou Chaaya, behind acclaimed 2015 comedy Very Big Shot and screenwriter Bassel Ghandour, who co-wrote the Oscar-nominated Theeb.
"This is a great opportunity to portray Arab youth in a very unique way. The level of authenticity Netflix is trying to achieve with this show is definitely what attracted me the most to be part of this project,” said Bou Chaaya.
“We are really excited about this. It is very common in Middle East that people know someone who has a jinn story, so it’s nice to take that and turn it into a fun and mysterious teen adventure that everyone can enjoy," added Ghandour. "On a broader note, I love that Netflix is investing a lot in the region, it’s a real turning point. We have such a rich storytelling culture, and we'll finally be able to enjoy Arabic content with Netflix quality."
Jinn, which will release some time next year, is Netflix's second project in the Middle East following its first commission, stand-up comedy show Adel Karam: Live From Beirut, which is due to launch March 1.
