Hollywood filmmaker Stephen Hopkins heads to Riyadh to direct the Arabic-language thriller Al Amir.
Saudi Arabia is quickly becoming one of the world’s most exciting new filming destinations, drawing international filmmakers with its dramatic landscapes, growing production infrastructure, and ambitious entertainment vision. Now, Riyadh is preparing for its next major screen moment as Hollywood filmmaker Stephen Hopkins heads to the Kingdom to direct the upcoming Arabic-language thriller series, Al Amir.
Best known for directing the hit television drama 24 and action classic Predator 2, Stephen Hopkins will bring his signature suspense-driven style to the six-part series. Al Amir will be filmed at Al Hisn Big Time Studios in Riyadh, as well as locations across Cairo, Egypt, further strengthening Saudi Arabia’s position as a hub for major international productions.
Backed by Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority and produced by Sela Studios, Al Amir is based on an original idea by Turki Alalshikh and written by Egyptian screenwriter Salah El Jheiny. The series follows an Egyptian intelligence officer who goes undercover to infiltrate a dangerous international terrorist organisation. To complete his mission, he must assume the identity of a fugitive.
The series features a major Arab and international cast led by Egyptian star Ahmed Ezz, alongside Amina Khalil, Khaled El Sawy, Samy El Sheikh, Yasmina El Abd, and Hamza Diab. Adding to the production’s global appeal, Spanish actor Pedro Alonso — internationally recognised for his role as Berlin in Money Heist — joins the cast, while Turkish actress Tuba Buyukustun appears in her first multilingual Arab-led production.
Al Amir is part of a wider wave of major productions putting Saudi Arabia’s film industry in the global spotlight. The Kingdom has also attracted attention with the Saudi-filmed action blockbuster 7 Dogs. Other international projects are increasingly choosing Saudi Arabia as a filming location, such as Kandahar, Cherry, and many more.
With Al Amir, Saudi Arabia is becoming a place where global stories are developed and produced. The arrival of filmmakers such as Stephen Hopkins marks a new chapter for the region’s entertainment industry, positioning Riyadh as a rising centre for international cinema, Arabic storytelling, and next-generation film production.
Contact: https://www.gea.gov.sa/