NBCUniversal Formats, a division of Universal Studio Group, announces its partnership with Cairo-based media production company TVision, and OSN, and UMS, the Egyptian Media giant, to produce the Arabic version of Suits, the smash-hit drama television series.
The Arabic adaptation will be produced by TVision and has been commissioned as an OSN Original, and is set to premiere on its satellite platform and streaming app for Ramadan 2022. It also marks the first time UMS acquires the rights for a local adaptation of a top US hit series which will be available for its Egyptian audiences on its FTA channels and its streaming app Watchit.
The highly anticipated international adaptation is based on the series created and written by Aaron Korsh. Suits aired on the USA Network for nine seasons from 2011 to 2019 and was produced by UCP, which is part of Universal Studio Group, for USA Network.
This project strengthens the relationship between TVision, OSN, UMS, and Universal Studio Group’s NBCUniversal Formats, building on their huge success collaborating on SNL Arabia which ran for four seasons in the Middle East.
Tarek El Ganainy, Founder and CEO of TVision Media Productions, said “We are thrilled to launch the Arabic version of Suits, an international adaptation one of the most successful and popular television series. Repurposing this type of show into regional formats is vitally important in the context of Egypt’s ongoing development as a mature and compelling media market.
“While it remains heavily inspired by the American drama, our version is unique and authentic to Egypt, featuring a celebrated cast of regional stars. The first two seasons will air in Ramadan 2022 and will be available to a wide audience, with OSN and UMS sharing the rights in Egypt, and OSN exclusively making it available to viewers across the rest of the Middle East. We are also proud to have strengthened our relationship with NBCUniversal Formats and look forward to continued collaboration on future projects.”
The Arabic version of Suits will be written by Mohamed Hefzy and Yasser Abdel Mageed, directed by Myriam Ahmadi, and produced by Founder and CEO of TVision Media Productions, Tarek El Ganainy. It features a star-studded cast of local talent – including Asser Yassin as Harvey, Ahmed Dawoud as Mike, Saba Mubarak as Jessica, Reem Mostafa as Donna, Tara Emad as Rachel, and Mohamed Shahin as Louis. Filming began in January 2022 and the first two seasons – of 30 episodes – will launch on April 2nd, 2022 during Ramadan.
