Saudi TV project 'is one for the history books'

The Office is to get its first Arabic remake.

Saudi broadcaster MBC is making a local version of  Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant’s comedy, running for 20 episodes.

The show will be renamed Al Maktab – a straight translation of The Office – and will be set in a courier company.

Boss David Brent becomes Malik Al-Tuwaif, to be played by Saleh Abuamrh, who last year starred in the Riyahd-set drama The Fates Hotel.

André Renaud, who oversaw the sale of the rights for BBC Studios, said: ‘Although office working may look slightly different for many of us in 2022, the familiarity of these well-observed characters as they navigate petty rivalries, moments of friendship and humour, and a boss that sometimes makes a fool of themselves still rings just as true.

‘I’m sure audiences in the Middle East and the Gulf will take Malik and his team to their hearts as much as audiences did with David Brent in the UK over 20 years ago.’

Zeinab Abul Alsamh, of MBC Studios, added: ‘Al Maktab features a very talented cast from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and beyond who will bring the stories of this eccentric group of colleagues and their boss to life, reimagined for Middle Eastern and Gulf audiences for the very first time. It’s definitely one for the history books.’

Local versions have previously been produced in  France, Germany, Canada, Chile, the Czech Republic, Finland, Sweden, Israel, India, Poland,  and, of course, the US, with Steve Carell as Michael Scott.

Al Maktab will be directed by renowned Egyptian filmmaker Hisham Fathi.

Published: 31 May 2022