BBC Acquires Kabul, Powerful Six Part Drama Set During the Fall of Afghanistan

L-R: Amina (Hannah Abdoh) and Nooria (Sara Taheri).

(Image: Domniki Mitropoulou / Cinétévé / 24 25 Films / France Télévisions)

By Jon Donnis

The BBC has acquired Kabul, a six part fictional drama set against the backdrop of the real events of August 2021 in Afghanistan. The series, acquired from Mediawan Rights, will be available on BBC iPlayer from Sunday 2 August and will begin on BBC Four at 9pm on Saturday 15 August.

Produced by 24 25 Films, a Mediawan Company, and Cinétévé in collaboration with the European Alliance, Kabul follows the events surrounding Kabul on 15 August 2021 as American troops withdraw and the Taliban enter the city.

The Nazany family, like many civilians, is forced to flee, fearing retaliation. As the situation becomes increasingly difficult, French police officers, Italian diplomats, German military personnel and American intelligence services must coordinate their efforts to manage the influx of civilians. Alongside the evacuation efforts, the looming threat of an ISIS attack adds further danger to those trying to survive.

The international cast includes Darina Al Joundi (The New Look), Shervin Alenabi (Tehran), Vassilis Koukalani (Kandahar), Hannah Abdoh, Jonathan Zaccaï (Le bureau des legends), Gianmarco Saurino (L’estate piu Calda), Jeanne Goursaud (Pax Massilia) and Eric Dane (Euphoria).

The series is directed by Kasia Adamik (No Escape) and Olga Chajdas (Imago), with the scripts written by Olivier Demangel (Class Act), Thomas Finkielkraut (Baron Noir) and Joey Lavy (The Shift).

Kabul is produced by Fabienne Servan-Schreiber and Charlotte Ortiz at Cinétévé, Matthias Weber and Thibault Gast at 24 25 Films, and executive produced by Sandrine Paquot. Global sales for the series are handled by Mediawan Rights.