Rita Harb on why Arabic remakes of Turkish dramas are not ‘carbon copies’

Rita Harb, a Lebanese actress who stars in the Arabic remake of Turkish romantic drama Sen Cal Kapımı, titled Hob Aa Waraq, stresses that these shows are not "carbon copies" of their Turkish originals. Instead, they are Arabized versions that adapt the material to local settings, humour, and social codes. Examples include Arous Beirut, Stiletto, and now Hob Aa Waraq, which began streaming in June with five episodes airing each week.

Harb emphasizes that the adaptation process is about finding a quality story to tell, rather than merely replicating the Turkish original. She tells The National that "these shows are not carbon copies of the Turkish originals." Instead, they are "Arabized adaptations." While some may argue that the Arab stories do not resonate with local audiences, Harb contends that this is not the case. Instead, when the Arab version is made, it is placed in settings more familiar to the audience and carries its own unique flavour.

The popularity of these remakes highlights the region's enduring love for Turkish drama. This history dates back to 2008, when the dubbed Syrian version of Noor became a regional hit, followed by the spy drama Valley of the Wolves, and Ezel. In 2011, the popularity of Arous Beirut, the first major Arabic adaptation of a Turkish drama, Bride of Istanbul, broke the standard 30-episode format of Arabic dramas.

Harb, who has experience with both formats, notes that longer adaptations like Arous Beirut are not necessarily more taxing than shorter series. While a 30-episode run can be intense due to the emotional demands of the role, Harb finds that being immersed in the character's journey pays off, allowing the audience to connect with the character as deeply as she does.