As Ramadan begins, Syrian television dramas are making a comeback after the fall of the Assad regime. The annual tradition of families gathering to watch new series after breaking their fast is resuming, but the industry is navigating a complex post-war landscape.
During the Assad years, TV dramas offered a rare platform for subtle political expression and employment for artists. However, the 2011 uprising and subsequent civil war fractured the industry, with many creatives going into exile. Since Assad's ousting, actors and directors who were once divided are now working together again, tackling previously taboo topics like torture in state prisons.
One notable production is 'Al-Souriyoun al-Aada' ('The Syrian Enemies'), based on a novel banned under Assad for its focus on the 1982 Hama massacre. The series features exiled star Yara Sabri, who returned to Syria to act alongside local talent. Director Allaith Hajjo, who never left Syria, says the new authorities are inexperienced with artistic censorship, causing some delays.
Despite challenges, the industry is cautiously optimistic. The return of exiled actors and the ability to address once-forbidden subjects mark a new chapter for Syrian drama, though political tensions and censorship issues remain.
