Doha, Qatar: Qatar Media Corporation - Qatar TV announced the near completion of the massive historical drama series Heroes of the Sands, one of the largest Arab drama productions, featuring over 70 Arab actors from Qatar, the Gulf countries, the Levant, and North Africa.
The series is produced by Qatar Media Corporation - Qatar TV, directed by Samer Jaber, and co-written by Dr. Khalid Jaber and Samer Jaber. It will consist of 15 episodes in a unique structure comprising three independent five-episode arcs, each 45 minutes long. The series blends historical accuracy with modern visual style to present an epic narrative illuminating the pre-Islamic era through figures who left an indelible mark on the Arab consciousness.
Their stories have become cornerstones of literature, chivalry, and poetry. It embodies an Arab drama series that reveals the human and heroic lives of prominent figures in pre-Islamic Arabic literature.
The show begins with Al Khansa and Sakhr in a tale of loss, patience, and elegiac poetry, then moves to the world of the free-roaming outlaws led by Al-Shanfara in a revolt against injustice and tribal customs. It concludes with the story of Zabiba, the mother of Antarah, the woman who transformed the harshness of slavery into a strength that gave birth to one of the greatest knights of Arabia.
Heroes of the Sands is an epic work that reinterprets the roots of heroism, freedom, and dignity in Arab heritage with a contemporary vision. It unites three five-part narratives into a single dramatic tableau.
The first five-part story draws inspiration from the tale of Al Khansa and Sakhr, presenting the story of one of the most profound female poets of the pre-Islamic era, Al Khansa bint Amr ibn Al Sharid. It explores her exceptional relationship with her brother Sakhr, whose death marked a turning point, creating one of the most powerful elegies in Arabic literature. The work then delves into the daily life of the Bani Sulaym tribe, revealing the struggle between peace and war, the traditions of women within the tribe, and their role in maintaining social cohesion.
The first five-part series, featuring prominent figures such as Al Khansa, Sakhr, Duraid ibn Al Simmah, and Mu’awiyah ibn Amr, along with a selection of poets and tribal leaders, addresses key themes: loss and its role in reshaping individual and tribal memory; loyalty between brothers and the social role it plays; the first poetic cry that made Al Khansa an Arab icon; and the presence of Arab women in tribal decision-making, as well as the conflict between peace and revenge during times of turmoil.
The second five-part series tackles the subject of the outlaws, the revolution for freedom led by Al-Shanfara. It recounts one of the most turbulent and intense chapters in Arab history: the story of Al-Shanfara Al-Azdi, a symbol of rebellion and justice, and the leader of the most famous outlaw movement that challenged societal class structures and tribal customs. The third five-part series draws inspiration from the story of Zabiba, the mother of the Black Knight Antarah ibn Shaddad. Heroes of the Sands is produced by the Qatar Media Corporation - Qatar Television, under the supervision of Ali Al Sada, and with artistic production by Al Hady Qarneet.
