The six-part show will be released in mid-2023 in the Middle East.
Palestinian actor Eyad Houran has played a lead role in the new post-apocalyptic thriller The Pact.
Houran is known for his role in Omar which was nominated for an Oscar in 2013 as Best Foreign Language Film of the Year.
The Pact is a Qatar-funded sci-fi series that follows a band of survivors as they struggle to make it to safety and escape the Miasma, a mysterious fog that drives victims insane. Hourani played a good guy trying to survive in a team.
The Roku Channel has picked up the series The Pact from Qatar-based Katara Studios and Taipei- and Los Angeles-based Organic Media Group. It has just started showing across North America, with a Middle East debut in mid-2023.
The story follows a family strained past the breaking point by a post-apocalyptic world as they travel alongside other survivors seeking the cause and cure for the Miasma, a mysterious fog that drives victims insane.
In freezing weather, the shoot took place across stunning locations in Bulgaria and Romania. Eyad said that those conditions helped the team and actors bond, creating a TV show that’s already garnered rave reviews. “It was like a family on the shoot and you can see in the show that it’s made from real love, there were real tears on the show.”
Hourani recently starred in الغياب لموكب حضور , a true-life historical drama based around the creation of the state of Israel during the 30s and 40s and the resulting war.
“This was our story,” he added, “so it was important to get it right. It’s a very personal story for me as my grandfather was kicked out of our village in ‘48 when it was converted to Hebrew, so I know my family will all be watching.”
After so many American films and shows, Hourani relished the chance to work on full-scale Arabic TV production.
“Acting in your own language is very different and I really enjoyed it. It really meant a lot to act in Arabic with a great Syrian cast and a really strong Arab story,” said Hourani.
He has also starred opposite martial arts and Hollywood legend Jackie Chan in Vanguard.
I loved working with Jackie Chan,” concluded Omar. “We had great chemistry together during long days on a very professional shoot. It was also a great chance to experiment with different Middle East accents.”
