Major Changes in Egypt's Ramadan Drama Lineup for 2026

With less than two months remaining until the start of the Ramadan drama season 2026, the Egyptian entertainment industry is undergoing considerable upheaval. A series of delays and production challenges have led several high-profile stars to withdraw from their anticipated projects.

* Yousra Exits "The Ambassador's Wife"

Actress Yousra made headlines with her decision to withdraw from the series "The Ambassador's Wife." The project faced multiple setbacks, beginning with director Rami Imam stepping down, followed by director Abdel Aziz Al-Najjar taking over. Ultimately, ongoing production issues resulted in the series being pulled from the Ramadan lineup.

* Mohamed Henedy Postpones "Qandeel" to 2027

Actor Mohamed Henedy was set to make a comeback with the series "Qandeel," co-written by Youssef Maati, known for his successful work on "Monsieur Ramadan Mabrouk Abu Al-Alamein Hamouda." Despite initial preparations and casting choices, the production company announced that the series would be delayed until Ramadan 2027, meaning Henedy will not participate this season.

* Mai Ezz El Din Delays "Before and After"

Actress Mai Ezz El Din was gearing up to film "Before and After" alongside Emad Ziyada, Hani Adel, and others, with a script by Mohamed Suleiman Abdel Malik and direction by Marcus Adel. However, she recently declared a one-year postponement, aiming to ensure a high-quality production.

* Ahmed Adam Absent from "Al-Qarmouti is Causing Trouble"

Actor Ahmed Adam, who has been away from the drama scene for several years, was slated to appear in the series "Al-Qarmouti is Causing Trouble," consisting of 15 episodes, written by Mohamed Mahrez and directed by Ahmed Abdel Aal. However, the project has come to a complete halt, with no explanation provided.

* Khaled Nabawy and Yasmin Raeis Withdraw

Actor Khaled Nabawy was preparing for the series "Tahir Al-Masri" alongside Ghada Adel, but the project was halted due to the need for specialized skills that the team could not fulfill. Similarly, actress Yasmin Raeis has exited the Ramadan race with her series "Ask Yourself," which has also been postponed until 2027, with no clear reasons given.

* Mohamed Sami Delays His Acting Debut

Director Mohamed Sami was set to make his acting debut in the series "8 Shots," featuring Fathy Abdel Wahab and other stars. However, the project has been completely suspended after initial preparations, with the reasons for the delay remaining undisclosed.

As the Ramadan season approaches, drama producers face significant challenges in salvaging remaining projects and adapting to these unexpected changes, with further surprises anticipated in the days ahead.