Netflix Empowers Arab Creators by Increasing Its Original Productions

Are you still watching? Perhaps to the detriment of our own work schedules and looming deadlines, yes Netflix, we are in fact always watching. With hundreds of millions of eyes glued to TV, laptop and phone screens, the streaming giants are constantly looking for new wave creatives to imbue their platform with diversity, and in turn, are taking to the Middle East to expand on their repertoire of cultural shows. Having already experimented with hit shows such as ‘Al-Rawabi School for Girls’ and ‘Finding Ola’; Netflix is planning to continue spotlighting Arab talent through releasing a plethora of shows from all around the region this coming year. 

THE EXCHANGE - KUWAIT 

Release date: Early 2023

Workplace drama The Exchange follows two women trailblazers who, in the late 1980s, challenged the corrupt boys club of Kuwait’s banking industry with empowering tenacity.

ALKHALLAT+ - SAUDI ARABIA 

Release date: 2023

The film - based on Telfaz11's hit digital show Alkhallat that debuted in 2017 that garnered over 1.5 million views on YouTube - follows a series of riveting comeback stories subsequent to a tumultuous period of social deception and trickery. 

THE MATCHMAKER - SAUDI ARABIA 

Release date: 2023

Set in Saudi’s Al Ula, The Matchmaker is a psychological thriller with a supernatural twist that delves into the poignant themes of betrayal and morality.

MASAMEER COUNTY SEASON 2 - SAUDI ARABIA 

Release date: 2023

The popular eight episode animated series chronicles Saudi Arabia’s structural changes and how they continuously shape natives with wit and unique humor.

DUBAI BLING - UAE  

Release date: 2022

Telling the story of ten self-made wealthy individuals living their wildest dreams, the eight episode Arabic reality docu-soap playfully portrays the affluent lives of Dubai’s billionaires.