SCENE 01 / DRAMA SERIES
Drama Series Production in Saudi Arabia
Professional scripted drama production for period and contemporary series throughout Saudi Arabia.
Here is how this works in practice. Drama series production creates scripted episodic content with ongoing narratives, complex character development, and high production values sustained across many episodes or seasons. These shoots need steady creative leadership, fast multi-episode scheduling, and departments set to keeping quality across extended production periods.
Here is the short of it. We give full production support for drama series, setting up crew, gear, and location logistics across your episode schedule. Our team manages the sustained operational demands of episodic production, making sure steady quality and fast resource allocation from the first day of shooting through series wrap.
Capabilities
Drama Production Excellence
We support scripted drama productions of all types—from intimate character studies to epic period sagas—with crews experienced in narrative television.
01
Period Dramas
- Historical accuracy
- Costume coordination
- Period locations
- Prop sourcing
- Expert consultation
Historical Excellence
02
Contemporary Drama
- Modern locations
- Urban settings
- Realistic production
- Current affairs expertise
- Location diversity
Modern Storytelling
03
International Co-Productions
- Treaty compliance
- Multi-country coordination
- Cross-border logistics
- Bilingual crews
- Tax incentives
Global Partnership
04
Premium Series
- High production values
- Cinematic quality
- A-list talent support
- Complex narratives
- Streaming standards
Premium Quality
Scripted Drama Expertise
Narrative Excellence
Our drama crews understand character-driven storytelling—supporting directors and showrunners in bringing complex narratives to screen.
Period Authenticity
Saudi Arabia's historical resources—locations, costumes, props—enable authentic period drama production across all eras from medieval to mid-century modern.
Premium Production Values
We deliver cinematic quality for premium drama—the visual sophistication that streaming platforms and international broadcasters demand.
Network Statistics
Why Us
Why Choose Our Drama Services
01.
Drama Expertise
Specialized experience in scripted drama production with knowing of narrative needs and character-driven storytelling.
02.
Location Diversity
Access to Saudi Arabia's top locations—châteaux, period streets, modern settings, and varied regional backdrops.
03.
Talent Network
Connections to Saudi Arabia's finest acting talent, casting directors, and supporting cast resources for authentic European performances.
04.
Incentive Navigation
Pro guidance through Saudi Arabia's 40% TRIP tax rebates and regional incentives to boost your shoot budgets.
Our Production Process
Development
Script breakdown, budget estimation, location feasibility, and production planning support.
Pre-Production
Full prep including casting, locations, crew hiring, gear, and scheduling.
Production
Full production management with skilled drama crews and quality control.
Post-Production
Post planning including editing, VFX, color, sound, and delivery.
On Location
Scripted drama for MBC Studios, Shahid, Telfaz11, Manga Productions and the NEOM Bajdah Studios sound-stage complex — under the Cultural Development Fund 40% cash rebate and Vision 2030 industry build.
We line-produce drama series for the fast scaling Saudi scripted ecosystem. The market has emerged since cinemas reopened in 2018, after a 35-year theatrical ban.
MBC Studios Riyadh anchors the broadcast slate. Shahid (MBC's streaming sites, the largest Arabic SVOD service) commissions first drama at the prestige tier. Telfaz11 Studios produces the highest-profile Saudi scripted content. Its 2022 feature Sattar broke the all-time Saudi box-office record. Telfaz11 has also rolled out tight-series work for Netflix MENA.
Manga Productions (the Saudi-Japan joint venture under the Misk Foundation) handles the anime and animated-drama pipeline. Key output has The Journey (2021), the first Saudi-Japan feature joint work.
NEOM Bajdah Studios opened in late 2022. It is the largest sound-stage tricky in MENA — 9,000 m² of dedicated stages across many boxes. Apple TV+, Disney, and Netflix shoots film on-stage and at the adjacent Bajdah backlot.
Saudi drama auteurs have several top directors. Haifaa al-Mansour made Wadjda (2012, the first Saudi feature) and The Perfect Candidate (2019). Mahmoud Sabbagh made Barakah Meets Barakah. Ali Kalthami made Sattar. Shahad Ameen made Scales. Ahd Kamel rounds out the list.
Here is how this works in practice. Pre-production routes through two main authorities. The Saudi Film Commission handles foreign-crew accreditation. The Cultural Development Fund (CDF) administers the 40% cash rebates — 35% base plus a 5% Saudi-content uplift. The uplift triggers on Saudi director, Saudi DOP, majority Saudi cast, or Saudi post.
Recent global drama shot in Saudi has several major shoots. Kandahar (Gerard Butler, 2023) filmed at AlUla and NEOM. Desert Warrior (Anthony Mackie, 2024) filmed at AlUla. Apple TV+'s Cherry covered partial AlUla.
Here is the short of it. Location work spans many sites. MBC Studios Riyadh and NEOM Bajdah's sound stages cover interior work. AlUla's natural desert backlot covers Hegra, the Maraya concert hall, Ashar Valley, and Old Town. Diriyah's heritage at-Turaif quarter and Jeddah Al-Balad's heritage merchant houses also feature. The Eastern Province gives Aramco-era industrial build style in Dhahran.
Here is the breakdown. Climate-driven scheduling shapes the calendar. October-April is the window for AlUla and exterior desert at 15-30°C. June-September limits work to interior MBC Studios and NEOM stage shoots only. Two-tongue crew is standard. On-camera Arabic runs in Najdi or Hejazi dialect. MSA dub via MBC Jeddah serves pan-Arab distribution.
FAQ
Drama Production FAQ
What drama formats do you support?
We support all scripted drama formats: tight series, ongoing series, anthology shows, period dramas, modern stories, thrillers, and character-driven narratives for broadcast and streaming sites.
Can you provide period-appropriate locations?
Saudi Arabia gives top period locations: medieval fortresses, Renaissance châteaux, 18th-century mansions, Haussmann Paris, Art Deco interiors, and preserved historical streets across the country.
How do you handle international drama co-productions?
We give full co-production support including treaty compliance, Saudi partner planning, crew integration, and administrative needs for official co-production status.
What costume and prop resources are available?
Saudi Arabia has top-tier costume houses, prop suppliers, and set decoration resources. We set up with top suppliers for period-accurate wardrobe and props across all historical eras.
Do you support complex VFX-heavy drama productions?
Yes. We set up with Saudi Arabia's top VFX houses for everything from period augmentation to complex digital environments. On-set VFX oversight is ready across production.
What's the typical production timeline for drama series?
Drama series mostly need 8-16 weeks pre-production and 4-12 weeks principal photography per season, based on episode count and complexity. We develop detailed schedules tailored to your production.
Related Services
Productions in Saudi Arabia that need this often pair it with Narrative Films & Web Series, Feature Film Production, and Documentary & Docuseries Production for full coverage. Most projects also draw on TV & Film Production Services and Script Consultation & Polishing.
On Set
Ready to Produce Your Drama Series?
Tell us about your series and we'll provide comprehensive production support in Saudi Arabia.