OSN and UMS have shared rights in Egypt, while OSN will carry the series exclusively for viewers across the rest of West Asia.
NBCUniversal Formats, a division of Universal Studio Group, has teamed up with Cairo-based media production company TVision and OSN to produce the Arabic version of Suits.
The Arabic adaptation is based on the US series, created and written by Aaron Korsh. Suits aired on USA Network for nine seasons from 2011 to 2019 and was produced by UCP, which is part of Universal Studio Group, for USA Network.
The TV series is set to premiere on OSN’s satellite platform and streaming app, while Egyptian audiences will be able to stream it on the free-to-air channels of Egyptian Media giant UMS and its streaming app Watchit in April 2022.
The Arabic version is being written by Mohamed Hefzy and Yasser Abdel Mageed. It will be directed by Myriam Ahmadi and produced by founder and CEO of TVision Media Productions, Tarek El Ganainy.
Egyptian star Asser Yassin will play the lead, reprising the role of Harvey Specter, whereas Ahmed Dawoud will play Mike, Harvey’s mentee.
Jordanian actress Saba Mubarak has been cast as Jessica, the co-founder of the law firm, while Mohamed Shahin will play Louis, her partner in the firm. Reem Mostafa plays Donna, Harvey’s secretary and confidante, and Egyptian model and actress Tara Emad will play Rachel, the role made famous by Markle, a paralegal who aspires to be a lawyer.
Filming for Arabic Suits began this January and the first two seasons of 30 episodes will launch on OSN on April 2.
El Ganainy said: “We are thrilled to launch the Arabic version of ‘Suits,’ an international adaptation of 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 US drama, our version is unique and authentic to Egypt, featuring a celebrated cast of regional stars.”
Nick Forward, Managing Director of Streaming and Chief Content Officer at OSN, said: “OSN is committed to creating and producing premium, world-class Arabic content that resonates with the audience. We are delighted to be working with TVision, especially regional storytellers like Tarek, and investing in local adaptations to bring this new version of ‘Suits’ exclusively to our subscribers across the Middle East. It also demonstrates OSN’s continued commitment to investing in and adapting world-class formats to tailor them for the local audience.”
