It’s been almost 10 years since the employees of Dunder Mifflin bid goodbye to “The Office”. The nine-season-long show wrapped up leaving millions of fans teary-eyed. It is still one of the best comedy sitcoms of all time. Even after a decade of winding up, it is constantly one of the most streamed shows. Now, fans will get to see a Middle Eastern make-over of “The Office“.
An Arabic version of Ricky Gervais and Stiffen Merchant’s hit comedy classics is reportedly in the works. The British sitcom will air in the Middle East later this year. The release is happening following a deal struck between license holder BBC Studios and local producer-broadcaster MBC.
“The Office” As The Brand-New “Al Maktab”
Just three months after “The Office” confirmed that it is getting shaped in an Australian edition, it has been confirmed that an Arabian Version of the legendary TV show will air later this year. The new name of the series is “Al Maktab”. The credit for production goes to MBC Studios along with Egyptian filmmaker Highsham Fathi.
The UK version of “The Office” featured Ricky as David Brent working in a paper company in slough. But unlike the iconic original series, “Al Maktab” will revolve around the story based in a courier service company. Malik Al-Tuwaif is the self-absorbed yet lovable boss of the company. Saleh Abuamrh will be giving life to the key character. The supporting cast of “Al Maktab” will include Fahad Albutairi, Nawaf Alshobaili, Saad Aziz, Adhwa Fahad, Razan Mansour, Reem Busati, Hisham Hawsawi, and others. The filmography credits go to Alessandro Martella.
BBC and MBC Studios Are Overjoyed
“Although office working may look slightly different for many of us in 2022, the familiarity of these well-observed characters as they navigate petty rivalries, moments of friendship and humor, and a boss that sometimes makes a fool of themselves still rings just as true,” said André Renaud, senior VP format sales for BBC Studios. “I’m sure audiences in the Middle East and the Gulf will take Malik and his team to their hearts as much as audiences did with David Brent in the UK over 20 years ago.”
“Audiences around the world, including in the MENA region, are no strangers to The Office, and given its huge success over the past two decades, it’s incredibly exciting for us to now be bringing the very first Arabic version of the comedy to MBC’s screens very soon,” said Zeinab Abu Alsamh, general manager of MBC Studios KSA. “’Al Maktab’ features a very talented cast from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and beyond who will bring the stories of this eccentric group of colleagues and their boss to life, reimagined for Middle Eastern and Gulf audiences for the very first time. It’s definitely one for the history books.”
The new 20-part series will be airing on the network’s TV channel and via streamer Shahid VIP.
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