Edgy casts, gritty plots: The makeover of Ramadan TV dramas

Each year, the arrival of Ramadan heralds a season rich in drama series, sparking debate and admiration alike.

Syrian dramas, known for their compelling storytelling and production excellence, often take centre stage, marking a tradition of quality and innovation.

This tradition has recently expanded to include influences from Turkish soap operas, a trend that has received mixed reactions from the audience.

This year, the conversation around these series has intensified, with critiques focusing on their reflection of, or deviation from, real-life experiences in the region.

"As series like The Children of Badia push the envelope in terms of content and themes, they ignite conversations about the role of drama in reflecting or shaping societal values"

Among this year’s offerings, The Children of Badia emerged as a lightning rod for debate. Available on Shahid, a streaming platform akin to Netflix for the Arab world, the series was noted for its graphic depiction of violence and contentious themes, sparking discussions on its relevance and impact.

Criticisms were particularly sharp regarding its portrayal of societal norms and the extent of violence, echoing the stylistic intensity of Quentin Tarantino’s work.

The series also included scenes of animal abuse, including cockfights. Despite this, the series secured a top spot in viewership, underscoring a complex relationship between content, controversy, and viewer interest.

Bilal Shhadat, a seasoned scriptwriter with a roster of successful series to his name, provides insights into the audience’s gravitation towards stories set against the backdrop of hardship and adversity.

Bilal, a graduate of the Higher Institute of Drama Studies in Damascus, has written notable series such as Bride of Beirut, Blink of an Eye, and 2020, including its sequel that is making a top 10 watched show in the region this Ramadan, 2024.

According to Bilal, narratives rooted in the struggles of slum life or similar environments resonate more deeply with viewers, suggesting a preference for dramas that mirror the harsher realities of life.

Have tastes changed?

This inclination towards gritty, action-packed stories reflects a broader societal trend where the hardships faced by many are mirrored in the entertainment they consume.

“The Children of Badia is an example of the authenticity of the Syrian drama, it provides the audience with the stories that interest them, and it represents the popular genre in drama series that the audience prefers” Bilal added.

Throughout his career, he notes, “that the audience engages more broadly with stories that stem from the circumstances of the slum."

Bilal continues, “Series that discuss the stories of the bottom often make it to the top, and with that bottom comes difficult realities and unbearable stories."

This is evident from his point of view through the viewer’s attachment to characters, preferring the view of their daily lives over the action. He gave an example of one of the characters, Yasin, whose daily routine, jokes, and catchy phrases became more important than the story itself.

Shifting Ramadan habits

The competitive atmosphere of the Ramadan drama season pushes scriptwriters to explore new themes and narratives, often venturing into areas marked by violence or intense drama to capture the audience's attention.

Bilal defended this creative exploration as “a necessary aspect of storytelling, highlighting the writer’s prerogative to push boundaries and engage viewers in new and challenging ways.”

Yet, this approach is not without its critics, especially when it leads to content that some view as excessively violent or detached from the societal context.

"The debate over viewer autonomy in the context of Ramadan dramas highlights the complex interplay between content creators, platforms, and audiences"

Bilal’s observations extend to the genre preferences among viewers, noting a shift towards content that appeals to a younger, action-oriented audience, as opposed to the traditional soap opera format.

This shift is indicative of broader changes in viewer demographics and preferences, with streaming services playing a pivotal role in catering to and shaping these trends.

He argues that the writer has the right to take the audience to new places and has the right to choose the genre, whether action or thriller, to capture his audience. It is then the viewer's choice to watch or not.

Bilal talks more specifically about Syrian drama, saying, "Due to the war that the Syrians have lived through, violence comes onto paper without intention sometimes, even love stories are becoming violent," as he explains.

Bilal also notes the absence of shows inspired by great Arabic novels, adding that people are not interested in reading novels anymore and that, therefore, drama series inspired by novels are rendered obsolete. However, he added that he will continue pursuing writing a script inspired by a novel.

The streaming revolution

While the Syrian and Lebanese soap operas inspired by the Turkish soap opera have gained popularity in the Arab region and primarily the Gulf region despite not being violent, Bilal explains that soap operas are a different genre and appeal mainly to the female audience.

But someone like him, namely in his show streaming on Shahid, appeals to an audience of all ages, specifically youngsters who normally watch action series such as Breaking Bad and similar shows.

The rise of streaming services like Shahid has significantly impacted how and what viewers watch. For the vast Arab diaspora, these platforms offer a vital link to cultural content, albeit within the confines of what is deemed acceptable by the platform.

“The dual role of these services in both broadening access to content and shaping viewer preferences, a dynamic that has transformed the landscape of Ramadan viewing,” Bilal notes. 

The debate over viewer autonomy in the context of Ramadan dramas highlights the complex interplay between content creators, platforms, and audiences.

As series like The Children of Badia push the envelope in terms of content and themes, they ignite conversations about the role of drama in reflecting or shaping societal values.

The growing influence of streaming platforms further complicates this landscape, offering unprecedented access while also guiding viewer preferences.

As the industry evolves, the balance between creative freedom, viewer choice, and the ethical considerations of content production remains a critical area for exploration and discussion.

Aman Al Bezreh is a trilingual journalist, a media training consultant at OpenDemocracy, and a security analyst for West Africa and the Sahel

Follow her on Twitter: @AmanBezreh