“Seven Types of Ambiguity,” the Australian TV series involving a mystery told from the shifting perspective of seven characters, is getting an Arabic adaptation as an original production for beIN Media Group’s TOD streaming platform.
Titled “Mirage” or alternately (“Sarab”) in Arabic, the first international adaptation of the six-part ABC series – which is based on the acclaimed novel by Australian author Elliot Perlman, revolving around the disappearance of a child in suburban Melbourne — is being transposed to a Middle East setting. Just like the original, each episode of the ten-part Rashomon-like show is told from a different point of view.
Shooting is underway on the Arabic adaptation of “Seven Types of Ambiguity” which is being directed by Egypt’s Ahmed Khaled (“The Thief of Baghdad”) and toplines Egypt’s Khaled El Nabawy (“Kingdom of Heaven”) and Yosra El Lozy who recently starred in surrogacy-themed Ramadan drama “Selat Rahem.”
The series’ cast also comprises Hany Adel; Ahmed Wafik; Ahmed Magdy; Injy El Mokkadem; Naglaa Badr; Diamand Abou Abboud; Gihan El Shamashergy, and Mohamed Kelany.
Qatar-based powerhouse beIN Media Group – a co-owner of U.S. indie studio Miramax – has partnered with prominent regional production company S Productions on the project in association with Universal International Studios.
“We’re very pleased and excited to be working on such a big production in the Middle East, building bridges and bringing stories from global to local,” Mia Edde, VP of original content at beIN Media Group, said in a statement. Edde added that being the first “Seven Types of Ambiguity” redo “is a milestone for us,” noting that the adaptation will be “in the lens of the Arabic culture, adding a different depth and dimension to its narrative.”
Striking similar notes, Sailee Waly, S Productions CEO and founder, commented that “‘Mirage’ (“Sarab”) represents a perfect blend of universal themes and local flavor,” while Ana Langenberg, SVP sales and production at NBCUniversal Formats said that the Arabic adaptation “captures the riveting drama” of the original “and infuses it with a captivating local perspective that will resonate deeply with regional audiences.”
The plan is for “Mirage” (“Sarab”) to launch in September 2024 on the TOD SVOD platform which since its launch in March 2022 has been steadily gaining ground thanks to its mix of premium sports and entertainment content.