Mariam Naoum & Oscar-Winning Terry George to Pen Serial Killing Series

Oscar-winning writer Terry George and acclaimed Egyptian writer Mariam Naoum will be working together to draft a new thriller ‘The Alexandria Killings’, which will be based on the 1920 serial killing spree by the infamous sisters Raya and Sakina, a series of dark events that inspired countless adaptations in Egyptian media.

George, the man behind the Oscar-nominated ‘Hotel Rwanda’, is heralded for his anti-colonial approach to film, while Naoum is known for her cinematic endeavors to change perceptions about women in Egypt, making them an excellent pairing for the series.

“At this point of my career, I really believe that merging the experiences of the Middle Eastern and Western filmmakers is crucial for the industry of filmmaking and it will help perfect the adaptation of the story. And I’m sure that I’ll also be learning a lot during this journey,” Naoum said.

Set in 1920s Alexandria under British rule, the series will chronicle the true story of the sisters’ glamorous brothel operation, which included an influential circle of Egyptian and British officers, informants, and statesmen. The eventual fall of their empire found the sisters relying more and more on petty theft, leading to their murder and robbery of 17 women who were under their employ.

The show will be the first part of a MENA-based true crime anthology series set in various periods and places in the Arab world.