Netflix has released the first images from its upcoming Arabic original series <em>Paranormal</em>. Slated for a fall 2020 release (the exact date is yet to be announced), the Netflix original is based on the best-selling thriller novel series by the late Ahmed Khaled Tawfik. He is considered one of the first contemporary writers of horror and science fiction in the Arab world and wrote more than 200 books. Set in the 1960s, <em>Paranormal</em> centres on haematologist Refaat Ismail (Ahmed Amin), who tries to uncover the truth behind a series of supernatural events. Ismail is accompanied by his university colleague Maggie (Razane Jammal) as they enter the paranormal world and try to save their loved ones from danger. Back in July, the show’s director Amr Salama announced the series had finished filming by taking to Twitter and posting an image of a clapperboard with the hashtag #itsawrap and “in these difficult circumstances" written in Arabic. The series had been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The show marks the first collaboration between Netflix and Egyptian producers. "I'm very excited about this project," Salama, who is also one of the show's producers, told Egyptian media. "It has always been my dream to make <em>Paranormal </em>into a series." "I’m proud to present the books in a new light while still keeping its essence. I can't wait to introduce these exciting stories to Netflix's audience in 190 countries around the world.” <em>Paranormal </em>is the third original Netflix show to come out of the Middle East after <em>Jinn</em>, which takes place in a Jordanian high school that two jinns are using as a supernatural battleground, and <em>Al Rawabi School for Girls</em>, which focuses on a group of bullied outcasts at an all-girl school in Jordan.
