Egyptian Netflix Original Paranormal (ما وراء الطبيعة) has become a fan favourite across the Middle East, it was even ranked the number one series in Saudi Arabia.

Cosmo had the chance to catch up with the very busy crew: Amr Salama (director), Mohamed Hefzy (producer), Razane Jammal (Maggie), and Ayah Samaha (Howaida) to discuss all things Paranormal. From their first impressions of the script, to how they relate to their characters. 

Scroll down to read all about it… 

Cosmo ME: Give us a synopsis of what the show is about.

Amr Salama: The series is based on the Paranormal books by Ahmed Khaled Tawfiq. The books revolve around Dr. Rifaat Ismail, a hematologist in his middle age. He is a person with a judgmental mind who does not believe in the extraordinary or the supernatural. He goes along on journeys that undermine his faith or doubt as he gets to know if he really believes in these supernaturals or not. OR if they actually exist.

C: What drew you to the script of Paranormal?

Ayah Samaha & Razane Jammal: Firstly, this is a 100% Egyptian Paranormal series. Secondly, Ahmed Tawfiq’s books were a huge success, and everyone was obsessing over them. Putting all these together in one project will undoubtedly be exciting to be a part of. 

C: Maggie and Howaida, how would you describe your characters?

Razane: Maggie is a smart woman who is a physicist. She met Dr. Rifaat while studying for a Ph.D. at the University of Dundee in Scotland. Based on her intelligence, Maggie learned Arabic. Maggie loves to learn; she loves to take risks, and she is not afraid to say her opinion. She is affectionate, but she doesn’t like to show it to anyone. She is loyal, and of course, elegant.

Ayah: Howaida is a teacher at a children’s school. She is very basic and traditional. In my opinion, she is a strong woman and very sacrificial. She comes from a conservative family and all her dealings with children. Howaida is a very closed person, yet she is aware of everything happening around her.

C: Why would Cosmo readers relate to your characters?

Razane: Our personalities are very different from each other. Cosmo fans can relate to it personally, and it is nice to see heroines lead an important role in the series. Maggie and Howaida are two heroines with a strong point of view as well as strong opinions. Even with Dr. Rifaat, they remain to have their personal identity. 

C: Was it challenging transitioning from an Egyptian to a Scottish character?

Razane: It was different for me! First, I had to go to Scotland and get to know everything there. When I returned to Egypt, I was already finished reading Ahmed Tawfiq’s books. My crew and I worked together to create Maggie’s character from the hair and skin to clothing every line she says. We tried as much as we can to make an original character whilst sticking to the director’s point of view, Amr. We were all working together!

C: This is the first Netflix Original Egyptian show – why is it important to you that Arab shows are shown on mainstream media?

Mohamed Hefzy (producer): Long ago, before Netflix, we used to think of ways to create a series like that. We knew that traditional TV would not be the best medium to make this series known. Part of the reason, of course, is production, the type of the series. TV mainly focuses on the 30 episodes shown during Ramadan (the holy month) or others that reach up to 60 episodes. The most appropriate thing to use was a large platform like Netflix, the dream we have been pursuing for years. Praise be to God, since the agreement two years ago, we finally achieved it.

C: Do you think that the representation of Arab actors on TV is changing?

Amr: On the contrary, I can see that the media always give actors the needed exposure. I mean, usually, directors, producers, and sometimes people behind the camera are the ones who don’t really get what they deserve.

Razane: Honestly, since I work internationally, I can see that Arabs sometimes find difficulties getting roles, but I hope that we all work together for the love of cinema and not based on nationalities.

C: Where do you see the future of Arab TV series in the next five years? 

Amr: I think that in the coming years, there is a massive transformation for Arab TV. I believe that now there is more competition and high-quality platforms. Today, there is a need to create more of these platforms because I can see that Arab TV wants to give better content. Based on my perspective as a viewer, Arab television is progressing and is moving forward to a more significant place. 

Mohamed: Also, I have noticed something in the emergence of these platforms and that Arabs have begun watching series from different countries. I mean, we watch gulf series or other series that show different things from different countries. These platforms help in achieving internationality.

Ayah & Razane: We hope to create more work that connects the Arab world with the whole world.

C: Which actors do you look up to? 

Amr: One of the most influential directors to me was David Fincher and other directors as well. BUT David Fincher was the first who made me love directing and who makes me pay attention to details as much as he did. Later, over the years, there were other directors from all over the world, from Korea, Spain, Latin America, and Italy.

Mohamed: Based on the genre we are creating, horror, is David Lynch. I wish to see an Arab David Lynch, an Egyptian with this madness, liberation, and philosophy. The type that includes both comedy and horror at the same time; seriousness and humor together.