House of Gods is a 2024 Australian television drama series. It is created by Osamah Sami and Shahin Shafaei and produced by Matchbox Pictures. It was broadcast on ABC TV from 25 February until 31 March 2024.
| House of Gods | |
|---|---|
| Created by | Osamah Sami Shahin Shafaei |
| Written by | Osamah Sami Shahin Shafaei Blake Ayshford Sarah Bassiuoni |
| Directed by | Fadia Abboud |
| Starring |
|
| Country of origin | Australia |
| Original language | English |
| No. of series | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 6 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | Debbie Lee Sally Riley Sheila Jayaved Blake Ayshford Brett Sleigh |
| Producer | Bree-Anne Sykes |
| Cinematography | Sky Davies |
| Editor | Nicholas Holmes |
| Running time | 55 minutes |
| Production company | |
| Original release | |
| Network | ABC TV |
| Release | 25 February – 31 March 2024 |
Premise
editIn the Sydney suburb of Fairfield, Sheikh Mohammad is bidding for the head cleric position at his mosque. However, whilst his progressive positions are backed by his children they bring tension to aspects of the more conservative community.[1]
Cast
edit- Kamel El Basha as Sheikh Mohammad
- Osamah Sami as Isa
- Maia Abas as Batul
- Majid Shokor as Uncle Samir
- Safia Arain as Hind
- Simon Elrah as Sheikh Shaaker
- Priscilla Doueihy as Jamila
- Ali Ibrahim as Yusuf
- Azmi Al-Hasani as Aqil
- Saif Alawadi as Bilal
- Wadih Dona as Abu Hany
- Antoinette Lattouf as Leyla
Production
editThe 55 minute six-part drama series[2] was created by Osamah Sami (whose father was head cleric of a mosque in Melbourne) and Shahin Shafaei. It is co-written by Blake Ayshford and Sarah Bassiuoni. Sami first presented the idea to the Matchbox Pictures producer Sheila Jayadev 5–6 years prior to production.[3]
House of Gods is directed by Fadia Abboud and executive producers are Debbie Lee, Sally Riley, Jayaved, Blake Ayshford, and Brett Sleigh. Bree-Anne Sykes is series producer.[4][5]
The series has an entirely Arab Australian cast, which includes Kamel El Basha, Osamah Sami, Maia Abas, Majid Shokor, Safia Arain, Simon Elrah, Priscilla Doueihy, Ali Ibrahim, Azmi Al-Hasani, Saif Alawadi, Wadih Dona, and Antoinette Lattouf.[6][7]
Broadcast
editThe series was shown in Australia on ABC TV from 25 February 2024,[8] until 31 March 2024.[9] All episodes of the series were added to ABC iview on 25 February 2024.[2]
Reception
editAwards
editKamel El Basha won the best actor prize at the 14th edition of Series Mania in France in March 2024.[10]
Critical reception
editMostafa Rachwani of Guardian Australia gave the drama series a 2 star rating, writing "I think it is important to acknowledge House of Gods as an overall step forward for Muslim representation in Australia."[1] Mel Campbell of ScreenHub gave the drama series a 3½ star rating, writing "Like the sheikh, House of Gods is working hard to find its place and move with its times. And it’s a very absorbing balancing act to watch".[6]
References
edit- ^ a b Racheani, Mostafa (24 February 2024). "House of Gods review – 'Succession in a mosque' drama is disappointingly shallow". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ a b Dalgarno, Paul (13 February 2024). "House of Gods on ABC iview: need to know". ScreenHub. Creative Hubs Group. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
- ^ Quinn, Karl (14 February 2024). "'I'm bracing myself for pushback', says creator of mosque drama House of Gods". Australian TV. The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney: Nine Entertainment. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
- ^ Clarke, Stewart (15 March 2024). "Australia's 'House Of Gods' Started Out As "'The Sopranos' In A Mosque," Channeled 'Succession' & Ended Up In A Category All Of Its Own". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ "ABC unveils bold new drama House of Gods" (Press release). Screen Australia. 24 November 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ a b Campbell, Mel (27 February 2024). "House of Gods, ABC review: an absorbing balancing act". ScreenHub. Creative Hubs Group. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ McLennan, Callum (17 March 2024). "'You Can't Manufacture Authenticity': the Makers of Australian Series 'House of Gods' Talk Challenging Stereotypes, Religion and Community". Variety. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ Chidiac, Valerie (25 February 2024). "House of Gods Premiere screening: "We're not portraying sinning Muslims, we are portraying Muslims"". Honisoit. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
House of Gods premieres on Sunday February 25 at 8.30pm on ABC TV, with episodes released weekly. Watch the trailer here and follow @osamah.sami on Instagram to remain updated.
- ^ Knox, David (30 March 2024). "House of Gods". TV Tonight. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
- ^ Balaga, Marta (22 March 2024). "Series Mania Crowns 'Apples Never Fall' Star Annette Bening, Garry Kasparov-Centered 'Rematch'". Variety. Retrieved 22 March 2024.