Production, acting, and directing crews have been working for months toward this moment. And now, the highly anticipated launch of Ramadan 2026 series is almost here.
From the Gulf to North Africa, dozens of series are on the horizon, with the usual mix of drama, comedy, thrillers, historical pieces, crime stories, fantasy, and other television genres.
Egyptian series this year are characterized by a popular tone, telling compelling and impactful stories rooted in reality. Meanwhile, dramas coming from Syria appear to be influenced by the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime and the atrocities that followed within its prisons. Gulf dramas, draw from history, betting on stories of society and new seasons of shows that proved successful last Ramadan.
Amid the return of major names to the Ramadan race, others are absent, such as Egyptian actor Mohamed Ramadan, who is not participating in any series this year. Lebanese star Nadine Najim is also missing, as the release of her series “Mumkin” has been postponed until after Ramadan. Egyptian actress Ghada Abdel Razek also withdrew from “Aliya” after disagreements with the production company.
Top Gulf Productions for Ramadan 2026
Street of Al-A’sha 2
“Street of Al-A’sha” continues the success it began last Ramadan, returning for a second season to advise more stories of the street’s residents. Adapted from Badriya Al-Bishr’s novel, the series is set in Riyadh during the 1970s. Actress Ilham Ali, the star of the work, spoke about her character “Wadhaa,” who continues to defend her family amidst many challenges. Alongside Ali, actors Khaled Saqr, Aysha Kay, and Lama Abdul Wahab, among other Saudi screen stars, will appear.
Al-Ghumayda
Kuwaiti actress Huda Hussein returns to Gulf Ramadan drama in “Al-Ghumayda,” which is set in the 1970s and tells the story of “Widad,” a blind mother who tries to maintain her family and work as a seamstress despite her demanding physical condition and the societal challenges she faces. Hussein is joined in the starring roles by Mahmoud Boushari, Fatima Al-Safi, and Laila Abdullah, among others.
Kisra
Here’s a social story that goes back to the 1990s, where society wavers between tradition and change. “Aref” (actor Dawood Hussein) and “Dananeer” (actress Taif) struggle to build a home based on contentment. But the winds of rebellion blow from their children, who are seduced by money and controlled by greed, turning the parents’ sacrifices into a bitter struggle with their children’s ingratitude.
The Diaries of a Married Man
Following “The Diaries of a Single Man,” Ibrahim Al-Hajjaj returns in a second season titled “The Diaries of a Married Man.” The Saudi comedy promises more amusing situations and honest dealing with the social issues raised. Al-Hajjaj is joined by a team of veteran actors such as Saeed Saleh, Fatima Al-Sharif, and Ayda Al-Qusay, among others.
Among the Gulf series anticipated this season are also “Kahilan,” “Ghalt Banat,” “Hamdiya,” “Bnat Abdel Ghani,” and “Family Matters.”
Top Egyptian Series Anticipated for Ramadan 2026
Companions of the Earth
The series, which will be shown on the “WATCH IT” platform, takes the Gaza war as a general framework for its events, led by actor Iyad Nassar as a Palestinian man living the tragedy in its details and struggling to save his nephew trapped under siege and bombardment. Actress Mona Shalaby participates in the starring role as a doctor working with an Egyptian medical convoy. From the heart of the fires and the harsh conditions of war, human relationships arise between the characters, presenting a story that combines drama and documentation.
Among the actors participating in the 15-episode series are Adam Bakri, Tara Abboud, and Kamal Al-Basha. The writing is by Ammar Sabry and the directing by Peter Mimi. “Companions of the Earth” has attracted the attention of the Israeli press, with the newspaper “Yediot Aharonot” expecting it to achieve high viewership.
Man’aa
After a five-year absence from Ramadan drama, Hend Sabry returns in the series “Man’aa” on the “Yango Play” platform. Through the character of “Gharam,” she presents a different role than anything she has been known for in cinema and television.
The events of the dramatic thriller series grab place in the 1980s in the popular Al-Batniya neighborhood in Cairo, where “Gharam” finds herself forced to enter the drug mafia, including its dark and dangerous secrets. The series, written by Amr Al-Daly and directed by Hussein Al-Manbawi, also stars Khaled Selim, Ahmed Khaled Salah, and Mohamed Anwar, among others.
Release
An engaging promotional announcement preceded the launch of the series “Release” starring Amr Saad as “Abbas Al-Rayes” by the Al-Sabah production company and the “Shاهد” platform. The man is released from prison after spending years there convicted of killing his wife and daughters. He is not the hero, but everything against it, as the mystery of the crime and the weight of guilt and the judgments of society have not left him.
Amidst psychological and human treatment that promises not to settle for the surface, the characters move in a psychologically charged atmosphere. The series conveys the reality of people to the greatest extent, including evil, shocks, and disappointments. The role played by actress Tara Emad is noteworthy, in a look unlike any of her previous looks.
Head of the Snake
Belonging to the category of police drama, the series “Head of the Snake” sees Amir Karara facing a terrorist plot that threatens national security within a rare framework invested in by Arab drama.
The series is inspired by real events and is written by Hani Sarhan and directed by Mohamed Bakir, and will be shown on the “WATCH IT” platform. As for acting, Sharif Monir joins Karara, playing the role of the Brotherhood leader Mahmoud Azzat, and the artist Magda Zaki after a four-season Ramadan absence.
The King
Within the framework of action and suspense, Mohamed Imam appears in the series “The King,” where he plays “Hamza,” who clashes with his brothers over the inheritance. The events develop to transform the hero from a simple and poor porter into a powerful businessman pursued by an international network of gangs.
The work does not lack romance, which also comes in the form of a conflict that puts Hamza in a dilemma between two loves. The series, which is shown on the “Shاهد” platform, is joined by a team of veteran actors such as Hanan Mattawa, Basant Shukri, Mustafa Khater, and Mirna Gamal, among others.
Two Others
Moving to social romantic drama, Asir Yassin and Dina El-Sherbini meet for the first time on screen in “Two Others.” The events revolve around a famous actress suffering from family and personal crises, and a teacher separated from his wife, brought together by fate and placed together before many challenges. The 15-episode series will be shown on the “WATCH IT” platform.
We Forget What Was
After the successful collaboration that brought them together last Ramadan in “And Lovers Meet,” Yasmine Abdel Aziz and Karim Fahmy return in a new social drama titled “We Forget What Was.” Not far from the spotlight and the lives of celebrities, the series tells the story of an artist named “Jalila Raslan,” who finds herself a victim of threats that position her in a circle of danger. The only safe haven she finds is with her bodyguard “Badr,” who transforms from an employee to a lover.
Alongside Abdel Aziz and Fahmy, the series also stars Sherine Reda, Mona Fadali, Khaled Sarhan, and Edward, among others. The work was written by Amr Mahmoud Yassin and directed by Mohamed El-Khabir and will be shown on the “Shاهد” platform throughout Ramadan.
More social and emotional drama is on the horizon in series such as “The Lady Mona Lisa” starring Mai Omar, Sawsan Badr, and Injy Al-Maqaddim, among others. In addition to “Sawa Sawa” which brings together Ahmed Malek and Hoda Al-Mafti, “Once Upon a Time” starring Majid Al-Kadwani and Yosra Al-Louzi, and “As Much Love As Possible” with Nelly Karim and Sherif Salamah.
The Ramadan season also witnesses a remarkable appearance by the artist Mahmoud Hamida in the series “Last Chance” alongside Tariq Lotfi, Nada Moussa, and Aida Riad. And for fans of popular drama that is not devoid of suspense, they can follow “Ali Clay” starring Ahmed Al-Awadi. “Al-Meddah” also returns with Hamada Helal in a sixth and final season. And for comedy, there is Karim Abdel Aziz in the 15-episode series “The Meter Samir.”
Lebanese and Syrian Series
Illegally
The Lebanese series is fortified by a group of veteran actors and an attractive story set amidst something like a circus; as “Illegally” displays the life of characters working within an artistic troupe. Maggie Bou Ghosn leads the movement, joined by major stars such as Ammar Shalak, Taqla Chamoun, Bassam Mughniyeh, Carol Abboud, Randa Kaadi, Tony Issa, and others.
“Eagle Films” production company is betting on “Illegally,” which tops the map of Lebanese drama this season, written by Shadi Kiwan and Fadi Hussein, and directed by Philippe Asmar. The work will be shown on the “Shاهد” platform.
With Five Souls
The Syrian duo Qusay Khouli and Karis Bashar present a story emerging from poor communities and marginalized societies. The hero, “Shams Abdullah,” who grew up in deprivation, cruelty, and orphanage, discovers that he is the sole legitimate heir to a rich and influential man. His journey begins, fraught with challenges and dangers, to obtain his right, and he shares this journey with his lover, “Samar.” Notably, actress Karis Bashar adopted the Iraqi dialect in her new character.
The Maulana
In the drama “The Maulana,” Syrian actor Taim Hassan embodies the complex and multifaceted character of “Jaber.” According to the “Shاهد” platform, the hero escapes his past and society and hides within a sacred status, igniting hope in a forgotten village that has been waiting for its Maulana for decades.
In a surprise for the audience, director Samer Barqawi revealed that the theme song will be performed by the artist Mona Wasef, who co-stars with Hassan, along with Nour Ali, Faris Al-Helou, and Nancy Khoury.
City Kitchen
This is a story of a Damascene family whose destinies are linked to an ancient restaurant from Damascus’s old restaurants. The dramatic work is realistic, directed by Rasha Sharbatji, and witnesses the return of Maxim Khalil as an actor to his country after years of absence. Khalil is joined in the starring roles by a large group of Syrian stars, including Amal Arafa, Abbas Al-Nouri, Abdel Moneim Amayri, Mohamed Haddaqi, Khaled Al-Qish, and Fadi Sabah, among others.
The Madness of Happiness
The Syrian director Saif Sbeai’s camera revolves around the complex human relationships and the conflicts, corruption, power struggles, and influence that plague them. Sbeai relies on a high-caliber dramatic cast, led by Abed Fahd, Salafa Ma’mar, and Bassam Yakhour, to delve into the darkness of the human soul. The series “The Madness of Happiness,” which is shown on the “OSN Plus” platform, mixes crime, suspense, and psychological drama.
Post-Assad Drama
As a reaction to the political transformations that Syria witnessed last year, dramatic productions intensified that attempted to document the stage. Most of them took the prisons of the former regime as a corner for dramatic treatment. Among those series is “The Caesar – No Place No Time,” inspired by real events inside the prisons, starring Ghassan Masoud, Salloum Haddad, and Kamal Al-Basha.
The series “The Exit to the Well” also depicts the suffering of detainees in Sednaya prison, starring Jamal Suleiman and Carmen Labess. “The King’s Family” and “The Syrians Enemies” also join the same category.
