Beyond crime, revenge: What audiences really wanted from Ramadan drama

2026-03-11 - 17:44

As the holy month of Ramadan draws to a close, and audiences have had time to watch dozens of series released this season, the broader picture of this year’s drama landscape begins to take shape. Rather than inviting hasty judgments, the season calls for thoughtful reflection and measured discussion. There is little doubt that many productions reflected clear artistic effort. In several series, both acting performances and production quality were evident. At the same time, however, the season also revealed a number of recurring patterns that increasingly define the Arab drama industry. One of the most striking characteristics of this year’s Ramadan lineup was the overwhelming presence of crime drama. A large number of productions relied heavily on this genre, including “Hekayat Narges”, “Manna’a”, and “Efrag”, all of which built their narratives around worlds shaped by conflict, crime, and conspiracy. The creators of these works clearly invested considerable effort in their projects, from strong acting performances to polished cinematography and direction. Many also attempted to construct suspenseful plots driven by fast pacing and frequent dramatic twists. Yet an important question inevitably arises: was crime drama truly the genre that best responded to the audience’s needs at this particular moment? Audience reactions suggest that the answer may be more complex. The notable success of the romantic social series “Ethneen... Ethneen” (1995) offered a revealing contrast. Its popularity did not stem from extravagant production or sensational storytelling, but from something far simpler: it gave viewers stories that felt close to their everyday lives. The series presented characters who resemble ordinary people, dialogue that echoes conversations heard in homes, cafés, and neighbourhood streets, and social dilemmas that many viewers immediately recognised. For many Egyptians, the show reflected aspects of their own lives—through depictions of friendship, moments of human solidarity, and the small struggles that shape daily existence. Perhaps this explains why audiences embraced it so warmly. It restored to the screen values that have often seemed absent from contemporary drama: chivalry, loyalty, the strength of friendship, and the search for hope amid growing social pressures. From this perspective, it could be argued that the industry, to some extent, placed its bets on the wrong horse this season. While many productions focused on worlds of crime and revenge, audiences appeared far more receptive to quieter social dramas that mirror their reality and offer a sense of empathy and reassurance. Another issue that drew attention this season relates to the nature of dramatic writing itself. In several productions, dialogue appeared to unfold in a somewhat mechanical manner, lacking the emotional sensitivity that distinguishes truly compelling drama. Certain scenes were filled with overly rhetorical lines or implausible plot developments, prompting many viewers on social media to respond with sarcasm toward situations that seemed detached from logic. Within this context, discussions have begun to emerge about the potential influence of artificial intelligence tools in the writing process, particularly during early stages of script development. Naturally, such claims cannot be confirmed in every case. Nevertheless, the general impression among some viewers is that parts of the dialogue feel more manufactured than authentically written, and that certain plots progress in ways that appear formulaic rather than organically developed. If anything, this perception may serve as a reminder for drama creators to return to the essence of storytelling: narratives rooted in genuine human experience rather than pre-fabricated templates. One of the more curious paradoxes that seems to recur almost every Ramadan season is that theme songs often surpass the dramas themselves in popularity. This year was no exception. The opening and closing songs of several series captured audiences from the very first moments and quickly spread across digital platforms. For many viewers, these musical pieces became some of the most memorable aspects of the Ramadan viewing experience. In this regard, credit is due to the lyricists, composers, and singers who created these songs. Their work succeeded in adding an emotional dimension that resonated strongly with audiences. Music, after all, retains a unique power to touch human feelings in ways that technology still struggles to replicate. Ultimately, the most important lesson of this Ramadan season may be that audiences are not simply searching for suspense or dramatic shock. They are also searching for themselves on the screen; for stories that reflect their lives and values that they believe still exist within society, even if they are sometimes missing from contemporary drama. Perhaps the clearest conclusion is that human emotion remains the most authentic element in art. And for now, at least, artificial intelligence remains far from being able to write the genuine feeling that emerges from lived human experience.