Rita Harb on why Arabic remakes of Turkish dramas are not ‘carbon copies’
Fans of Turkish drama series can easily recognise their Arabic remakes: they share the same settings, storylines and key scenes, recreated by a new cast speaking in a Levantine dialect and bringing local humour and social codes to the material. Viewers have embraced shows such as 2019’s Arous Beirut , adapted from Bride of Istanbul , and Stiletto , released in 2022 and adapted from Stiletto…
Lebanese actress Rita Harb believes that Arabic remakes of Turkish dramas are not carbon copies, but rather, Arabised adaptations. She tells The National, "All you are really looking for is a quality story to tell." These shows are not identical to their Turkish originals; instead, they are adapted to suit Arab audiences. For example, the 2023 remake Hob Aa Waraq is based on the Turkish romantic drama Sen Cal Kapımı.
Harb emphasizes that these adaptations maintain good stories and add a local flavour. The popularity of these remakes has led to a five-year agreement between MBC and two Turkish production houses, Medyapim and Ay Yapim. Harb, who stars in Hob Aa Waraq, explains how the longer format allows for more nuanced portrayals of complex characters and themes such as mental health, grief, and trauma.
This format has allowed her to delve deeper into her character's resilience, drawing from her own experiences.
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- Rita Harb on why Arabic remakes of Turkish dramas are not ‘carbon copies’ thenationalnews.com
