Shahid VIP, Shahid’s subscription-based premium service, announces the arrival of “Rashash” – a Shahid Original Series by MBC STUDIOS and the largest Arab production created for a streaming platform to date.
Inspired by real events, the powerful series narrates the story of the notorious criminal of the same name in the 1980s, and the Saudi police’s efforts to bring him to justice.
On the one hand, the production outlines Rashash’s life of crime, beginning with his entry into the underworld, and ending with his arrest. Meanwhile, the story also sheds light on a young and dedicated officer (Fahad) who makes it his mission to dismantle the criminal and capture both Rashash and his accomplices.
The first episode of the Saudi drama releases on Shahid VIP on 9 July 2021.
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“Rashash” is the brainchild of British television screenwriter, Tony Jordan – creator of the primetime Emmy and BAFTA-winning series, “Hustle”. Jordan’s other credits also include those on the hit titles “Eastenders”, “Minder”, “Boon”, “Eldorado”, “Can’t Buy Me Love”, and “City Central”.
Leading direction is the BAFTA-nominated and Emmy-winning British filmmaker, Colin Teague (“The White Queen”, “Jekyll & Hyde”, “Being Human”, “Silent Witness”, “Doctor Who”, “Frankenstein’s Wedding”, “Shirley”, “The Town”).
As part of Shahid and MBC GROUP’s mission to foster, mentor and promote upcoming talent from the Kingdom, “Rashash” features an all-Saudi cast in leading roles. They include: Yagoub Al-Farhan (Rashash), Naif Al-Daferi (Fahd), Khalid Yeslam (Chief Azam), Fayez Bin Jurais (Omar), Hakeem Jomah (Sultan), Abdullah Al Barrak (Mahal), Ibrahem AL-Hajjaj (Qahas), Ayman Mutahar (Musleh), and Sumaya Rida (Aida).
The eight-episode series, in Saudi Arabic, will be accompanied by English subtitles. One 55-minute episode will be released every week.
Biggest Arab production for a streaming platform to date
Distinguished by its unrivalled production value, “Rashash” is a collaboration between the internationally recognised crew and Saudi talent. Alongside Jordan and Teague is Director of Photography, Luke Bryant (“I Hate Suzie”, “The Reckoning”, “Urban Myths”, “Sliced”, “Dead Pixels”, “Chewing Gum”) who supervised shots including three full days of helicopter scenes. Production equipment utilised includes the Russian Arm Dynamic, Phantom high-speed cameras, drones, and Steadicams.
Additionally, “Rashash” features over 24 stunts, choreographed by stunt director, Kaloyan Vodenicharov (“Their”, “World War Z”, “Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation”).
Music for the series was created by the renowned France-based composer, Amin Bou Haifa.
During the filming of “Rashash”, MBC STUDIOS received production support from twofour54 Abu Dhabi, which provides world-class production facilities, talent development initiatives and training, and business support services for media companies in the region.
Part of MBC GROUP, Shahid the world’s leading Arabic streaming platform, home to a plethora of original and exclusive premium content.
