The Arab talent is still gaining unprecedented steps in the international entertainment industry as we see stars getting recognized in big award shows, getting involved in big movie franchises, and representing high-end brands all over the world. Whether it is innovative directors or multifaceted performers smashing Hollywood stereotypes, these stars are transforming the image of Arabs in media and entertainment on a global level.
1. Ramy Youssef
Ramy Youssef is an Egyptian-American stand-up comedian, actor, screenwriter, and director. He broke out as Ramy Hassan in the comedy series Ramy, which won him a Golden Globe Award as Best Actor and a Peabody Award in 2020. Youssef has emerged as one of the leading voices in modern comedy and drama, known to be frank in the way he represents the Muslim-American life onscreen. He touches on identity, religion, and cultural integration with sensitivity and humor.
5 FAMOUS WORKS:
- Ramy (TV Series, 2019-2022)
- Mo (TV Series, 2022)
- Poor Greg Drowning (2020)
- See You Yesterday (2019)
- Mr. Robot (TV Series, guest appearance)
2. Razane Jammal
Razane Jammal is a Lebanese-British actress who portrayed Sara in the 2023 Arabic drama Al Thaman. She also became the first and only Arab to have been included in the DC Universe when she featured as Lyta Hall in The Sandman in 2022. As the first Arab actress in the DC universe, Jammal has made historic Hollywood representation.
5 FAMOUS WORKS:
- The Sandman (2022)
- Al Thaman (2023)
- A Walk Among the Tombstones (2014)
- Kira & El Gin
- Carlos (2010)
3. Amir El-Masry
Amir El-Masry is an Egyptian-British actor who won a Scottish BAFTA and was nominated for the British Independent Film Award in 2020 for his performance in the film Limbo. He is a Bafta Breakthrough Brit (2020) and the Screen International Star of Tomorrow (2021). His strong acting roles have received critical and industry acclaim, making him one of the most promising Arab actors in British films.
5 FAMOUS WORKS:
- Limbo (2020)
- The Night Manager (TV Series, 2016)
- Industry (TV Series, 2020-2022)
- The One (TV Series, 2021)
- Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
4. Yasmine Sabri
Egyptian actress and model Yasmine Sabri made history as the first woman of the Middle East to front a Cartier campaign, joining the faces of Panthere de Cartier. In 2019, Sabri became the Ambassador of African Women at the Arab African Conference on Women Empowerment. In addition to acting, Sabri has turned into a fashion icon and a women’s empowerment influencer in Africa and the Middle East.
5 FAMOUS WORKS:
- Al Kabeer Awy (TV Series)
- Ayam Al Doulou (2021)
- Zat (2022)
- Khataf Merati (2022)
- 30 March (2021)
5. Nadine Labaki
Nadine Labaki is a Lebanese actress and director who rose to fame with her first film Caramel, released in 2007. In 2021, she was asked to sit on the jury of the Cannes Film Festival with Greta Gerwig, Eva Green, and Lily Gladstone. Labaki, being one of the renowned Arab filmmakers, has always made a strong film containing a social issue and gained recognition on an international level.
5 FAMOUS WORKS:
- Caramel (2007)
- Where Do We Go Now? (2011)
- Capernaum (2018)
- Stray Bullet (2010)
- Ghadi (2013)
6. Dhafer L’Abidine
Dhafer L Abidine has already lived many lives. A professional football player back in his home country of Tunisia, he moved to the UK aged 22 to become an actor. He is currently an actor, director, screenwriter, and producer. The versatility and determination of L Abidine are visible in his exclusive career path that led him to professional sports and then to entertainment.
5 FAMOUS WORKS:
- The Missing (TV Series, 2014-2016)
- A Hologram for the King (2016)
- Vikings (TV Series, 2017)
- Ghodwa (2022)
- The State (TV Series, 2017)
7. Salma Abu Deif
Salma Abu Deif is an Egyptian actress and model who gained popularity in 2017, with roles in two Ramadan shows, La Totfe, Al Shams, and Halawet EL Donia, and then in her first film, the Egyptian film Sheikh Jackson. Besides acting, in 2022, she was named the Middle Eastern face of the Italian house Valentino, as well as signed to lead an international campaign for MAC Cosmetics.
5 FAMOUS WORKS:
- Sheikh Jackson (2017)
- La Totfe’ Al Shams (2017)
- Halawet EL Donia (2017)
- Al Tayar (2018)
- Qarmat Bel Mahaba (2019)
8. Firas Abou Fakher
Lebanese Firas Abou Fakher took home a Bafta last year in the soundtrack category in the documentary The Shamima Begum Story and arrived to pick up his statuette in a custom-made suit by Zaid Farouki. Before that, Fakher used to be a member of the successful band Mashrou Leila. Abou Fakher has shown great versatility in the entertainment sector as he has composed music and now film composition.
5 FAMOUS WORKS:
- The Shamima Begum Story (2023) – Soundtrack
- Mashrou’ Leila (Band albums and performances)
- Pandemic 2020 (2020) – Music
- The Other War (2022) – Music
- Various documentary soundtracks
