Jinn, Netflix’s first Arabic language original series, has begun principal photography in Jordan.
The six-part supernatural drama, which was announced earlier this year, follows a group of Arab teenagers as their friendships and budding romances are tested when they unknowingly invite the supernatural forces of Jinn into their world. It is being shot in Petra, Wadi Rum as well as a dozen locations in the Jordanian capital of Amman, over 10 weeks with a team of Jordanian crew.
Produced by Kabreet Productions, Jinn is directed and executive produced by Mir-Jean Bou-Chaaya (Very Big Shot) and executive produced by Elan and Rajeev Dassani (producers of short film Seam), with Elan Dassani serving as head writer. Rajeev Dassani contributed to the writing alongside Amin Matalqa (Captain Abu Raed) who will be directing the last three episodes.
A cast of up-and-coming Middle Eastern actors has also been unveiled.
Salma Malhas will star as Mira, a rebellious teen still devastated after the loss of her mother who learns to love again when she meets Keras (Hamza Abu Eqab), the Jinn who is tasked with guarding vigilante Jinns. Sultan Alkhalil as Yassin, who struggles with a world that seems stacked against him and sparks a supernatural friendship with Vera (Aysha Shahalthough), who is on a hunt for vengeance at any cost. Mira will be joined by her friends Fahed (Yaser Al Hadi) and Layla (Ban Halaweh) in the fight to rescue Yassin from the ruthless Vera before it’s too late.
“At Netflix, we’re always looking for local stories with an interesting and relatable perspective to bring to screens all over the world,” said Erik Barmack, Netflix’s vp nternational original series. “With Jinn, we aim to create a fantastical show about young people in the Middle East in Arabic that’s real, authentic and action-packed. This Netflix show will be full of intrigue, adventure and amazing storytelling from Jordan and for our audiences around the world.
Added writer Rajeev Dassani: “Creating Netflix’s first Arabic original series, and one of the first teen-focused shows ever from the Arab world, has been an unforgettable experience. We’ve had so many local teens tell us they’ve never seen themselves accurately represented onscreen, and it is both our pleasure and our responsibility to bring that to them and, in doing so, showcase all that the region has to offer.”
Jinn is expected to launch on Netflix around the world in 2019.
Jinn is Netflix’s second project in the Middle East following its first commission, stand-up comedy show Adel Karam: Live From Beirut.
