The current Ramadan drama season is witnessing an exceptional and unprecedented level of artistic maturity in the careers of Emirati artists. This year, they have moved beyond the traditional stage to a qualitative professional level. These stars are no longer confined to traditional comedy or secondary roles; instead, they have seamlessly transitioned to discussing diverse issues. From lighthearted comedy in 'Firjan' to serious drama and historical documentation, they are charting a new dramatic map based on diversity and boldness in tackling various challenging topics.
In the context of a satirical social comedy, the series 'Trend', broadcast on 'Sama Dubai', brings together a constellation of Emirati art icons in a unique and enjoyable artistic gathering. This work evokes memories of beautiful times. The project is led by veteran Emirati actor Jaber Ngamush in the role of 'Musbah', who decides to break his life's routine by diving into the world of 'social media'. He finds himself in the middle of a complex and 'unpredictable' digital adventure alongside Ahmed Ansari, Said Salem, Musa Al-Baqi, Huda Al-Ghanem, and Soughi. They present a rich comedic feast on the topic of 'fame obsession', where the spontaneity of retirees clashes with the world of 'likes', creating beautiful comedic paradoxes that cleverly reveal the fictitious nature of virtual fame versus the warmth of human relationships.
The duo of Marei Al-Hilyan and Malak Al-Khalidi dominate the Emirati drama scene this year, surpassing audience expectations with finesse. Their anchor point in the fifth season of the iconic Ramadan series remains their experience in 'Wadima and Halima'. The series is written by and stars Emirati actor Jassim Al-Kharraz and is directed by Emirati director Omar Ibrahim. Malak Al-Khalidi continues in her role as 'Halima' to present the deceptively simple, igniting the fuse of pranks with her sharp and quick body language. Meanwhile, Marei Al-Hilyan, in his role as 'Faraj', acts as a safety valve and 'dove of peace', fixing what is broken and temporarily reordering the household, demonstrating with his usual skill and precise performance the ability to break the monotony of sequel series.
The true mastery and the biggest challenge lie in the ability of Al-Hilyan and Al-Khalidi, while simultaneously working on 'Halima and Wadima' this year, to shed their comedic cloaks. For instance, Malak Al-Khalidi leaves the world of laughter, 'Firjan', to immerse herself in the world of complex psychological drama in the series 'Stolen Moments', where she portrays the character 'Hassa'. At the same time, Marei Al-Hilyan goes to the extremes of human depth in the series '33' on Dubai TV, leaving the laughter of 'Faraj' behind for the role of 'Rashid'—a calm and composed character overflowing with repressed emotions.
On another front, 'The Founding Generation', led by Emirati star Ahmed Al-Jasmi, skillfully solidifies the foundations with a clear production and artistic strategy. Through the series 'Stolen Moments', they bet on the 'weight of history' and the majesty of presence in the role of 'Saif', who is torn between the cohesion of his family and the ambitions of his wife 'Fatima', played by the returning Emirati actress Samira Ahmed. She herself presents a model of a strong Gulf woman with professional ambitions. Her artistic duo with Al-Jasmi is a striking artistic combination that evokes memories of the 'chemistry of beautiful times'. While Al-Jasmi did not limit himself to this dramatic role, he also successfully plays a comedic role in the Gulf comedy series 'Happy Family', skillfully softening the season's tone by balancing tears and a smile, and ensuring wider regional distribution for Emirati drama.
Beyond social issues, Emirati drama opens a new page of documentation spiced with suspense through the historical epic 'Dara' ('The Titanic of the Gulf'), inspired by real events, airing on Dubai TV. It stars a constellation of Emirati artists, such as Habib Ghalloum, Mansour Al-Faili, and Abdullah bin Haidar. Their polished performance, under the direction of Tunisian director Assed Oueslati, lends the work clear visual credibility that cements the project's identity and raises the level of anticipation and excitement.
On Arab and Gulf paths, young Emirati actor Marwan Abdullah Saleh embarks on a 'dual adventure' this season worthy of praise. He acts in the Egyptian dialect alongside Nesreen Amin in the series 'Al-Bukht', proving his ability to achieve Arab-wide appeal and break the language barrier. In parallel, he presents the program 'Sho Al-Salfa' on 'Sama Dubai', which blends entertainment with a creative and innovative comedic style.
