Ramadan 2026: Must-Watch Series Capturing UAE's Evening Buzz

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) With the first week of Ramadan underway, evening routines are settling into a familiar rhythm: iftar, prayers, family time, and then the nightly question, what to watch? This year’s lineup reflects a shift towards shorter seasons, stronger storylines, and a mix of nostalgia, true stories, and fast-paced plots.

Here are five series that audiences in the UAE are watching and talking about this Ramadan:

** 1. El Set Mona Lisa (The Mona Lisa)**

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As always, Egyptian Drama makes everyone talk around the iftar table this year. The El Set Mona Lisa series, airing on Shahid and MBC Masr, and starring Egyptian actor Mai Omar and Ahmed Magdy, hooked everyone with a toxic marriage.

The series follows Mona Lisa, a young woman who marries for love, only to discover that her husband lied about his financial status and that his family is abusive. What begins as a romance quickly turns into a toxic survival story.

The show has kept viewers on edge, especially as the character of Hassan continues to spark strong reactions online. The creators say the storyline draws inspiration from real-life cases that sparked public debate in Egypt. The 15-episode format reflects the growing trend towards shorter Ramadan dramas.

** 2. Sawa Sawa (Together)**

Another series generating buzz this Ramadan is Sawa Sawa, an Egyptian social comedy-drama that follows a young man, played by Ahmed Malek, whose life in Cairo’s Sayeda Zeinab neighbourhood changes when he meets a nurse, portrayed by Hoda Elmofty. The story traces their relationship as they navigate love, personal challenges, and the realities of everyday life.

Part of the show’s appeal comes from the strong on-screen chemistry between the two leads. Viewers were already invested in the pairing, especially after speculation about a possible real-life connection between the actors, making their dynamic feel even more natural and engaging. The series is streaming on Shahid.

3. ** Al Ghamida (Hide and seek)**

On the GCC front, veteran actress Huda Hussain returns to the Ramadan screen with Al Ghamida. Set in the 1970s, the series tells the story of a blind mother who is manipulated by her daughters for their own interests. Through the details of her daily life, the drama explores layered human stories around women, family relationships, love, and coming of age, while reflecting the social realities, challenges, and emotions of that period. The series is also streaming on Shahid.

4. ** We Nensa Elly Kan (And let’s forget what happened)**

Celebrity and bodyguard romance? Another Egyptian drama creating buzz this season is We Nensa Elly Kan (2026), starring Yasmine Abdelaziz and streaming on Shahid.

In a separate romance-driven storyline that has captured audience interest, a rising celebrity finds her life under threat and is assigned a bodyguard, Badr, a former MMA fighter. As danger closes in, their professional relationship begins to shift, turning protection into an emotional connection where duty slowly gives way to love.

The show has drawn attention from viewers who were already invested in the lead pairing after their previous Ramadan success.

5. Efrag (Release)

Inspired by real events, Efrag is another series drawing strong viewership this Ramadan, marking Amr Saad’s return to the screen in a story that leans into psychological depth and social realism rather than traditional crime suspense. Streaming on Shahid, the drama follows Abbas Al-Rayes, who is released after 15 years in prison only to face a world shaped by a devastating accusation, the murder of his wife.

Haunted by guilt and the weight of the past, Abbas is not driven by revenge alone. Instead, he begins a difficult journey in search of redemption and inner peace, hoping to find the forgiveness that only the truth can bring.

6. Al Om Al Motawahesha (The Monster Mother)

One of the defining features of this Ramadan season is the variety in formats, from longer series to short, limited releases that fit easily into viewers’ schedules while allowing time for the spiritual and social rhythm of the month.

For those looking for a quick binge, Al Om Al Motawahesha (The Monster Mother) offers a four-episode limited series on Shasha. Inspired by a real case that shocked Kuwait, the story draws from the Salmiya incident, where the remains of a young girl were discovered years later inside her home. The series explores the disturbing events surrounding the case through a tightly paced, suspense-driven narrative.

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