With the American restaurant drama/comedy "The Bear" maintaining its position as the world's most popular series, Saudi Arabia seems poised to present its own contender. On September 6, Netflix is set to release a fresh, original comedy series titled "Tahir’s House," which revolves around a dysfunctional family's efforts to revitalize their failing fish shop in Jeddah that is on the brink of foreclosure.
Taking the director's seat for this project is Saudi film-maker Sultan Al-Abdulmohsen, known for his previous work on the dystopian Saudi series "Bashar Shorts," a depiction of the near future in the Kingdom, which premiered on Netflix in 2021. The series was brought to life through scripts penned by Jeddah-based Saudi writer Yaser Hammad, who drew inspiration from his own upbringing in the city. Al-Abdulmohsen had a one-of-a-kind chance with this project to accurately depict the essence of coastal city life.
Al-Abdulmohsen shared, “Creating ‘Tahir's House’ was a journey to blur the lines between reality and fiction. We wanted to build a world that — even in its comic and made-up moments — feels genuine and authentic,” as he spoke to Arab News.
Beyond its humorous concept, the series strives to encapsulate the entrepreneurial spirit of the nation. Additionally, it acts as a platform for showcasing young Saudi artists of all ages to audiences worldwide. The ensemble includes the spirited senior matriarch Lutfiya (Naimah Ahmad), the father who excels in dad humor Jumaa (Mohammed Bakhash), the unfortunate son Yousef (Alhashimi Alfaisal), and the exceptionally talented young daughter Azizah, brought to life by TikTok star Joud Alsufyani.
Al-Abdulmohsen highlights the importance of bringing together a diverse group of Saudis from different generations. This not only enhanced teamwork on set but also provided a space for conversations between generations during a time of significant change in the country.
"The synergy between directors and cast significantly enriched the narrative, giving this work its distinctive essence. It transcends mere formal techniques. All those involved collaborated to transform written words into relatable characters, side-splitting jokes, and authentic situations," Al-Abdulmohsen affirmed. “I truly feel that all audiences will enjoy the series.”
