DUBAI: A new Arabic-language thriller filmed in Saudi Arabia is bringing together regional stars, international actors and a Hollywood director.
Titled “Al Amir” (“The Prince”), the six-part series is directed by filmmaker Stephen Hopkins, known for his work on the television drama “24” and action film “Predator 2.”
The project is backed by Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority and produced by Sela Studios in collaboration with MBC Group and streaming platform Shahid.
The series will be filmed at Al-Hisn Big Time Studios in Riyadh, as well as in key locations in Cairo.
The cast features Egyptian actor Ahmed Ezz, who is joined by fellow stars Amina Khalil, Khaled El-Sawy, Samy El-Sheikh, Yasmina El-Abd and Hamza Diab.
Spanish actor Pedro Alonso, best known for portraying Berlin in the global Netflix phenomenon “Money Heist,” is also among the cast, while Turkish actress Tuba Buyukustun has joined the project, marking her first role in a multilingual Arab-led production.
Based on an original idea by GEA Chairman Turki Alalshikh and written by Egyptian screenwriter Salah El-Jheiny, the action-thriller follows an Egyptian intelligence officer tasked with infiltrating an international terrorist organization.
As his mission intensifies, he is forced to assume the identity of a notorious fugitive, plunging him into a dangerous world of espionage, deception and global intrigue, according to the logline.
The Saudi-filmed action blockbuster “7 Dogs,” also based on a story by Alalshikh, has been making headlines recently, following a star-studded premiere in Cairo in May.
The plot follows elite Interpol officer Khalid Al-Azzazi (Ezz) who captures a senior boss (Karim Abdel Aziz) of a covert global crime syndicate known as “7 Dogs.”
When the syndicate resurfaces a year later to traffic a deadly new drug called Pink Lady across the Middle East, Khalid is forced into an uneasy, action-packed alliance with his former captive to dismantle the network from within.
Famous cast members include Italian actress Monica Bellucci, Hollywood star Giancarlo Esposito, Bollywood stars Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt, as well as German-Chinese martial-arts talent Max Huang.
Egyptian actress Emad and Lebanese actress Sandy Bella are also in the cast as elite Interpol agents. Saudi television star Nasser Algassabi appears as General Nasser, opposite Egyptian veteran Sayed Ragab as General Sabri.
