MBC1 and Shahid announce Arabic adaptation of Turkish series ‘Al Ameel’

MBC1, the Arabic family entertainment channel, and Shahid, an Arabic streaming platform, have announced their latest Arabic drama, Al-Ameel. Directed by Barbaros Bilgin and produced by Hamada Gamalaldeen, with Sara Dabbous overseeing the project, Al-Ameel is an adaptation of the Turkish series ice cold.

The series’ script was written by Rami Koussa and the cast includes Syrian and Lebanese actors, including Ayman Zeidan, Samer Ismail, Wissam Fares, Fadi Sobeih, Talal Jurdi, Ayman Reda and many more.

Al-Ameel tells the story of two brothers separated by fate in their youth, only to find themselves on opposite sides of the law. Amir, a police academy graduate played by Ismail, is assigned to infiltrate a notorious criminal gang, only to discover that his long-lost brother Milhem, played by Zeidan, is a key figure within the mafia. As the brothers navigate a world of deceit and danger, they must confront their pasts and each other in a high-stakes battle that will shape their futures.

The series delves into themes of brotherhood, loyalty and the thin line between good and evil, creating a thrilling story of betrayal and intense family drama.

For Syrian actor Ayman Zeidan, taking part in a project that transcends the borders of the Arab world was both an important and motivating experience. The actor saw “Al Ameel” as a unique opportunity to collaborate with countries like Turkey, where the original series originated, and bring a fresh approach to drama.

Discussing his portrayal of Milhem, a notorious gang leader, Zeidan emphasized the character’s complexity: “I had an internal struggle to get Milhem into his final form. He starts out as a welder, turns into a restaurant owner and eventually becomes a ruthless mafia leader.

“My goal was to break away from the clichés that are normally portrayed on TV, and play him as a real human being, capable of joy, sadness and love despite his dark side. I also wanted to emphasize the emotional and compassionate side of Milhem as a father, and show that vulnerability. This complexity brings joy to the performance.”

He added: “Human nature is a mixture of good and evil; a villain is someone whose evil overshadows his good, while a good person’s virtue overshadows his inner darkness. We all embody both sides.”

Zeidan admitted that bringing Milhem to life was a grueling and demanding process, which he approached with the utmost seriousness.

“I focused on understanding how Milhem’s beliefs, habits and decisions were formed. Despite the challenges, I hope we have successfully presented this project through an Arab lens.”

Zeidan expressed his admiration for his co-stars, Samer Ismail and Wissam Fares, and their dedication to the project, concluding: “We filmed all four seasons and what stands out is the depth of the characters and the variety of locations that have been incorporated. What we present to the viewers is equivalent in size to about 90 films, which makes it a visually complete project that demands a lot from the actors, especially in terms of action and movement.”

For Samer Ismail, who plays the complex character of Amir, the role required exploring a man caught in the constant battle between good and evil. Ismail described Amir as someone who is deeply committed to protecting his family, a responsibility he has carried with him from a young age. The kidnapping of his brother and the disappearance of his father have left him in a constant state of uncertainty.

“Amir is a man hardened by life, and his journey is defined by the persistent doubt that his brother could still be alive, which adds a layer of depth to how he navigates this life. His inner turmoil is hidden behind a facade of violence and deceit, but his true motives are to protect his family, find his brother, and expose the criminal gang. He continually finds himself entangled in one problem after another, barely escaping one situation before falling into the next.”

On working with Zeidan and the rest of the cast, Ismail said: “Such is his remarkable talent that Ayman Zeidan can embody a role that is the complete opposite of his real-life persona. And ‘Al Ameel’ stands out from other adaptations – this show is intense and unflinching, yet it is packed with human elements. It is a powerful family story, interwoven with world-class action sequences. Each episode feels like a cinematic experience, with high production values, intense effort and carefully crafted fight and chase scenes. These elements come together to make it something that really resonates with viewers.”

Lebanese actor Wissam Fares – who plays a character of the same name – delves into Wissam’s complexities, explaining: “He’s a young man struggling with the fundamental question of identity, constantly plagued by the question: ‘Who am I?’ From the beginning, Wissam’s relationship with Amir is marked by intense competition. They’re classmates at the same police academy and, due to Amir’s challenging situation with a colonel in the police force, Wissam initially has the upper hand. But Amir doesn’t give up and uses his connections with Milhem and other characters.”

Fares then explains that an important secret, revealed early in the series, complicates the story.

“There is a relentless rivalry between Amir and Wissam from the very first scene. It’s a competition to determine who excels, who has the most influence on Milhem, and who has the most impact on the lives of Nour (played by Mia Saeed), Amir’s mother Mayada (Yara Sabri), and later Khawla (Rasha Bilal). This constant rivalry permeates every aspect of their relationship, with Wissam feeling a deep sense of jealousy – and perhaps even resentment – ​​towards Amir.”

When discussing the preparation required for such a complex role, Fares stressed the importance of understanding the psychological depth of the character.

“Every actor has their own method of bringing a character to life; for me it was essential to explore Wissam’s history – focusing on growing up without a family or solid principles. These elements had to be visibly integrated into how I portrayed him on screen.

“As for working with Mr. Ayman Zeidan, he is like a father figure and mentor to all of us young actors on the show. His support and guidance during filming has been invaluable, and I am deeply grateful for the wisdom he has shared.”

Al Ameel will be released on MBC1 on August 25, 2024.