In the Ramadan season of 2025, actor Mohamed Farag takes on his first lead role in television drama through the series "Expired," set to air on MBC Egypt starting from the 15th of Ramadan.
اضافة اعلان
The series unfolds in a compelling social context, focusing on the hidden world of digital gambling and its devastating effects on the lives of young people. Farag plays "Saleh," a successful employee who is wronged and finds his life turned upside down. He is then caught in a whirlwind of critical decisions, between losing everything and getting swept into the dangerous world of gambling.
Cast of the Series
In addition to Mohamed Farag, the series stars Yasmine Rais, Heba Magdy, Khaled Serhan, Mahmoud Al-Lethi, Dunia Maher, Tamer Nabil, Sami Maghouri, and Hassan Malik. The series is written by Mohamed Hesham Abiya and directed by Tamer Nadi.
Negative Impact of Gambling
Farag commented in a press release, saying, "The idea of the series came from the director and the writer. When it was presented to me, I really liked it, and I believe it's the first time that a drama addresses the issue of online gambling and its negative impact on the minds of young people."
He revealed the details of his character, explaining that he plays "Saleh Al-Fayez," a young man who lived an unstable family life but possesses great intelligence and skill. However, a series of events lead to dramatic changes, turning his life upside down.
Regarding how viewers might be affected by the character, which may present unhealthy behavior, Farag stated, "Drama is created from stories and tales inspired by real life. Viewers may not accept direct advice, so it's better to present it in an indirect way for real conviction of what's being presented."
He also discussed his first collaboration with director Tamer Nadi through "Expired," saying, "Once we started working together, our ideas aligned significantly. I always enjoy working with writers and directors who have different ideas and visions because it gives the artist great energy to renew and present unconventional ideas."
The Issues Addressed in the Series
Actor Mahmoud Al-Lethi, who plays the character "Fathi," a teacher with many negative traits who seeks to make money by any means, said he was surprised by the widespread nature of digital gambling among certain segments of the population. He emphasized that the series would resonate with many viewers, and the goal is for the educational message to be conveyed in an indirect but impactful way.
Actress Dunia Maher, who plays "Safaa," a lawyer and mother, stated that the series addresses a new and unexplored issue in drama, and she believes it will spark significant debate.
Filming and Real-Life Inspirations
Writer Mohamed Hesham Abiya explained that the title "Expired" refers to many things that lose their validity over time, such as human relationships or behaviors that fade or change. He further clarified that ideas also have an expiration date, and he believes the series addresses various ideas on different levels, aiming to reach all social classes.
Abiya also mentioned that some events in the series are inspired by real-life incidents, highlighting drama's role in shedding light on sensitive societal issues and discussing them openly. According to him, addressing such issues and bringing them to the public eye is a healthy phenomenon.
Many of the series' events were filmed in open locations, a decision reached after extensive discussions with director Tamer Nadi. This approach was chosen to ensure the series addresses an issue that impacts different segments of society, so it was natural for the filming to take place in locations that match the nature of the events.
Conclusion
"Expired" is a significant Egyptian drama that deals with the issue of digital gambling and its destructive impact on the youth, following characters' lives as they deal with the consequences of their involvement in this dangerous world. The series is expected to provoke significant discussions and raise awareness about an important issue, making it one of the most anticipated dramas for Ramadan 2025.
