Dina El Sherbiny and Asser Yassin shine in Etnen Gherna

📺 The first half of Ramadan didn’t quite live up to our expectations, but Etnen Gherna managed to soar above the rest, offering a charming romance that had us hooked from start to finish. Directed by Khaled El Halafawy, the mastermind behind the Kamel El Adad trilogy, the series follows an unexpected love story between a famous actress and your average Joe.

The plot: Nour (Dina El Sherbiny) is a celebrated actress weighed down by her own fame. Between relentless rumors, invasive paparazzi, and a strained relationship with her father, Nour falls into a deep depression that leads her to attempt to take her own life. She is saved by Alia (Nour Ehab), who takes her to her family’s villa. There, Nour meets Alia’s mother, Mervat (Sahar Rami), and her elder brother, Hassan (Asser Yassin). Staying with a family that offers the warmth and tenderness she has long been denied, Nour inevitably finds herself falling for Hassan.

While the star meets ordinary guy trope is a cliché, the emotions delivered here feel incredibly sincere. El Halafawy excels at portraying themes of family, friendship, and love through relationships that are simple. Even when drama strikes, the show always finds its way back to the gentle, feel-good atmosphere. The series also adeptly tackles domestic violence through a subplot featuring one of the supporting characters, with production displaying the National Council for Women’s hotline during a domestic dispute scene — a positive awareness initiative we’ve seen pop up in several works this season.

A major credit to the show is its decision to give ample space to genuinely talented new faces. El Negily and Hassan’s group of friends were highlights, but the standout was undoubtedly the brilliant Fadwa Abed in the role of Shahira. Abed, who first caught our eye in Sabe' Gar nearly a decade ago, was the sweetest surprise of the series. Her character is witty, blunt, and a true friend with such a commanding presence that we found ourselves wishing for a spin-off dedicated entirely to her story.

The final verdict: Etnen Gherna is a social drama that feels, above all else, natural. It is a rare show fit for the whole family, one that eschews excessive violence, thuggery, or caricatured acting. With its seamless pacing, a beautiful soundtrack, and thoughtful visual compositions, it has rightfully earned its spot as one of our favorites of the season’s first half.

WHERE TO WATCH- Etnen Gherna is streaming on Watch It. Watch the trailer on YouTube (watch, runtime: 2:27).