DAMASCUS: Syrian producer Basem Al-Mulla announced that Samer Al-Masri was excluded from acting in the fourth and fifth parts of “Bab Al-Hara”.
Al-Mulla said in a press statement that Al-Masri became persona non grata after he abused his character in the episodes and defamed the character with his irresponsible behavior outside work.
“Bab Al-Hara” is a Syrian drama that was first produced in 2006. The episode is a social drama that highlights the picture of the old Syrian life in the 1920s.
The serial also highlights the life inside Damascus neighborhoods at the time. According to writer Manwan Qawouq, the stories in the episodes are based on real life experience at that time.
“Bab Al-Hara” is considered one of the best Arab serials produced in the past few years.
Al-Mulla said that Al-Masri, who plays the character of Abu Shehab, the protector of his neighborhood, would not appear in the fourth part of the episodes.
“I doubt that it will make much of a difference because the episode is a group work and not based on one character,” said Al-Mulla.
Al-Mulla revealed that a new Saudi actor will be introduced in the episodes and that it will be the surprise of the fifth part of the episodes.
This was not the first time a famous character was pushed out of the serial. Syrian actor Abbas Al-Nuri, who played Abu Essam, the neighborhood’s doctor and mentor, was booted from the show after a disagreement with Al-Mulla.
Syrian actress Taj Haidar withdrew from the second season because of a financial disagreement. Nizar Abu Hajar and Layla Samour on separate occasions withdrew from participating because of disagreements with the producers.
