The-new series, which will be released on August 25, features prominent Syrian and Lebanese actors, headlined by Ayman Zeidan.
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 Sara Dabbous, Al Ameel is an adaptation of the Turkish series Içerde.
The series features a script by Rami Koussa and boasts a star-studded cast of Syrian and Lebanese actors, including Ayman Zeidan, Samer Ismail, Wissam Fares, Fadi Sobeih, Talal Jurdi, Ayman Reda, and more.
Al Ameel follows the story of two brothers torn apart by fate in their childhood, only to find themselves on opposite sides of the law as adults. Amir (played by Ismail), a police academy graduate, is tasked with infiltrating a notorious criminal gang, only to discover that its ranks include his long-lost brother, Milhem (played by Wissam Fares), who was kidnapped years ago and is now involved with the mafia. As the brothers are thrust into a relentless game of cat and mouse, Amir must navigate a world of deception, danger, and divided loyalties, where every decision could lead to the destruction of the only family he has left. As secrets unravel and identities are revealed, the brothers are forced to confront their past and each other, in a battle that will determine their fate.
The series delves into themes of brotherhood, loyalty, and the thin line between good and evil, weaving a suspenseful tale of betrayal and intense family drama.
For Syrian actor Ayman Zeidan, participating in a project that transcends the boundaries of the Arab world has been both a significant and motivating experience. The actor saw Al Ameel as a unique opportunity to collaborate with countries like Türkiye, where the original series originated, bringing a fresh approach to drama.
Discussing his portrayal of Milhem, a notorious gang leader, Zeidan highlighted the character’s complexities: “I faced an internal struggle in shaping Milhem into his final form. He begins as a butcher, transitions into a restaurant owner, and ultimately becomes a ruthless mafia leader.
“My goal was to break free from the clichés normally portrayed on TV, and play him as a real human being, capable of joy, sorrow, and love despite his dark side. I also wanted to highlight the emotional and compassionate side of Milhem as a father, showcasing that vulnerability. This complexity brings joy to the performance.”
He added: “Human nature is a blend 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 gruelling and demanding process, one that he approached with utmost seriousness.
“I focused on understanding how Milhem’s beliefs, habits, and decisions were formed. Despite the challenges, I hope we’ve successfully presented this project through an Arab lens.”
Expressing admiration for his co-stars, Samer Ismail and Wissam Fares, and their dedication to the project, Zeidan concluded: “We filmed throughout all four seasons, and what stands out is the depth of the characters and the variety of locations incorporated. In scope, what we’re presenting to the viewers is equivalent to about 90 films, making 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 requires exploring a man caught in the constant struggle between good and evil. Ismail described Amir as someone deeply committed to protecting his family, a responsibility he’s carried from a young age. The kidnapping of his brother and the disappearance of his father have left him in a perpetual state of uncertainty.
“Amir is a man hardened by life, and his journey is defined by the lingering doubt that his brother might still be alive, which adds a deep layer 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’s constantly entangled in one problem after another, barely escaping one situation before falling into the next.”
Speaking of 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 completely opposite to his real-life persona. And ‘Al Ameel’ stands out from other adaptations – this show is intense and unflinching, yet it’s rich with human elements. It’s a powerful family story, interwoven with world-class action scenes. Each episode feels like a cinematic experience, with high production values, intense effort, and meticulously crafted combat and chase sequences. These elements combined make it something that truly resonates with viewers.”
Lebanese actor Wissam Fares – who plays a character of the same name – delves into the intricacies of Wissam, explained: “He is a young man struggling with the fundamental question of identity, constantly haunted by the question: ‘Who am I?’ From the outset, Wissam’s relationship with Amir is marked by intense competition. They are classmates from the same police academy, and due to Amir’s challenging situation with a colonel in the force, Wissam initially has the upper hand. But Amir doesn’t back down, leveraging his connections with Milhem and other characters.”
Fares goes on to reveal that a significant secret, disclosed at the very start of the series, complicates the storyline.
“There’s a relentless rivalry between Amir and Wissam from the very first scene. It’s a competition to determine who excels, who holds more sway with Milhem, and who impacts the lives of Nour (played by Mia Saeed), Amir’s mother Mayada (Yara Sabri), and later Khawla (Rasha Bilal) the most. This constant rivalry permeates every aspect of their relationship, with Wissam feeling a deep sense of envy – and perhaps even resentment – towards Amir.”
When discussing the preparation required for such a complex role, Fares emphasised the importance of understanding the character’s psychological depth.
“Each actor has their own method for bringing a character to life; for me, it was essential to explore Wissam’s history – focusing on growing up without a family or any solid principles. These elements needed 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 throughout filming have been invaluable, and I’m deeply grateful for the wisdom he’s shared.”
Al Ameel will be released on MBC1 on August 25, 2024.
