nida chowdhry

‘Secret of the Nile’ on Netflix is so, so good

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neederish

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I just finished watching Grand Hotel or as it’s known on Netflix, Secret of the Nile. It’s the first Egyptian show on Netflix, and it’s actually a remake of a Spanish drama series, Gran Hotel. It’s Downton Abbey meets Cable Girls (also a Spanish drama, also on Netflix, also I’m obsessed), and I’m not the only one who thinks so.

The original Gran Hotel is 39 episodes, broken into 3 seasons. Secret of the Nile is 30 episodes, 45 minutes each, and it plays out as one long season (it was originally released as a Ramadan special in 2016). I learned about it this past Sunday and just finished marathon-watching it at 4am this morning… LOL.

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The acting is so rich and complex, the cinematography is riveting, the sets are stunning, and the wardrobe and hair/makeup are fire. But the reason I literally watched 1,350 minutes of TV in three days is because of the drama. Oh the drama! Egyptians. Know. Drama.

I never knew the true meaning of the words “the plot thickens” until now. The plot is so thick it’s a vat of cement and I am here for this concrete mixture of deception. Grand Hotel also has some phenomenal villains who’s character development is… to die for… and it somehow carries on through 30 episodes. I am here for these scary Tants (Aunties)!

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It’s in Arabic and I watched it with English subtitles. I’m proud to say I’m learning such important Egyptian Arabic as, “IDKHUL!” (Enter) and “Nazarthu. Dul. Alayya. ANNA… UMMIK!” (You sided with them against me, your mother!) Wow, this is really going to come in handy when I visit the Pyramids.

If you enjoy period dramas (low-hanging pun intended) and you’re looking for a new show to be obsessed with, I recommend watching two episodes before you judge.

Also, in case your watching and you’re like, Who does Ali/Fouad (played by Amr Youssef) remind me of? He looks like Joshua Jackson (Dawson’s Creek):

You’re welcome.

P.S. ABC is remaking Grand Hotel, too!

Now if you liked Secret of the Nile, I also highly recommend Las Chicas Del Cable aka Cable Girls on Netflix, too! You can read my Season 4 and Season 5 reviews here.Ā 

And guess what…

I have a surprise for you!

You can watch my web series, Unfair & Ugly, about a South Asian Muslim American family in Orange County, California trying to keep it together. It’s had over 300K views on YouTube and been featured on NBC, Aljazeera, and Refinery29!

WATCH EPISODES!

51 responses to “‘Secret of the Nile’ on Netflix is so, so good”

  1. Ruth

    Love this series! Are they making a second series? What happened to the baby on the boat with the murderer?? Too many unanswered questions!!

    Reply
    1. Joseph Devine

      omg i came here to say this! i was expecting amal and ehsan to take him back.

      Reply
      1. neederish

        This conversation is cracking me up. What DID happen to the baby on the boat?!

      2. Leslry

        I had hoped that Ehsan and Amal would get him back too. A bit of a miss with the plot there!

    2. Mimi C

      Love this series! I agree, too many unanswered questions. where is baby and did they be ever find Ward?

      Reply
    3. Safia Chowdhury

      OMG I KNOW!! I AM LITERALLY FREAKING OUT OVER THE BABY!!

      Reply
      1. Judy

        Me too I even played it back in case I missed something also Wards hands were free she may be alive cant wait for the season 2

      2. Judith Kwiatek

        The baby maybe a smart way to start THE SECOND SERIES such a good portrayal from the actors and actresses do ope they do a second series JK

  2. Leona Reimer

    Fabulous!!!!we need a 2nd series. Question –
    Why wasn’t Nazly’s mother sent to jail?

    Reply
    1. Joseph Devine

      yeah she should’ve gone down too!

      Reply
      1. neederish

        Family first… I guess? She should totally be in jail.

    2. Judy

      because she never got her hands dirty I loved her as a villain

      Reply
  3. philip boutwell

    anoushka is a singer- listen to her on YOUTUBE – now a conniving actress here – she is EXCELLENT in her role as she smokes, smiles and tilts her head

    Reply
    1. Mimi C

      Because credits were in Egyptian what part did she play?
      All actresses actors were great!
      Thanks

      Reply
  4. Janat

    I am loving this series…..excellent acting …

    Reply
    1. Pao

      AmĆ© la serie…. me encantĆ³

      Reply
  5. Sonic

    Not once to Nazly and Ali kiss Rey reserved on the romantic scenes.

    Reply
    1. Mimi

      I love both versions. Gran Hotel and Secrets of the Nile.
      Actors are great!

      Reply
      1. Simone

        Enjoyed both Grand Hotel and secrets of the Nile great shows velvet was another fantastic series

      2. neederish

        Me, too, Simone, I LOVED Velvet. I have yet to watch the original Spanish Grand Hotel. I hope to sometime!

  6. John West

    I love this series so much. brilliant!!! Greeting from South Africa

    Reply
    1. Mimi

      I watched this 2 times already. Love the actors and everything about the series. šŸ˜Š

      Reply
  7. Mimi

    Will there be another season? šŸ™šŸ»

    Reply
  8. Marion

    I haven’t watch any thing and I’m nearly 50 as good
    I just loved it all
    Fantastic actors.like none iv seen before
    Ward. Is an unbelievable actor
    Please make more
    Marion
    Ireland

    Reply
  9. debora

    Wasn’t it hinted that Nazly was Sakine’s daughter? What happened? There wasnt a grand finale re this!

    Reply
    1. Judith

      Yes It captivated me as well I will watch it again great acting great story line

      Reply
  10. KP

    I see John Krazinski, not so much Joshua Jackson. Lol

    Reply
  11. Las Chicas de Cable Season 4 is so, so good – nida chowdhry

    […] don’t know who put me onto this show. It was either a Netflix rec while I was watching Secret of the Nile (which I am rewatching right now while simultaneously watching Season 4 of Cable Girls so yes I […]

    Reply
  12. katykeel

    I am absolutely obsessed with this series too! I love Egypt and Egyptian Arabic is so nice, it sounds softer. The characters are utterly fantastic and you have to love the villains. This whole story is a battle of light and dark, regardless of class, and I like the way it breaks down the class boundaries. Love is love. And what a hero Ali is!

    Reply
  13. G.Doctor

    The return of Omar Sharif as Ali with blond eyelashes and blue eyes-like the Nile.

    Reply
  14. Lulu

    Just finished the series today. It was one of the best Iā€™ve seen. I binge watched and I have the same questions. Whereā€™s baby Selina? Guess they donā€™t know about Ward AND, why didnā€™t the mother go to prison too. Mourad said heā€™d bring her down too. Iā€™d like to watch this all over again, I enjoyed it that much. The cast, the clothes, the scenery, the jewelry, all fantastic.

    Reply
    1. Lulu

      Baby Selim…duh!

      Reply
      1. vic

        The baby is dead. Mourad had him killed like he had Ward killed. Honestly, I loved that show until the very end. Then it left a bad taste in my mouth.

  15. Allan Rosen

    WOW Loved it. I have never enjoyed any performance more than the wonderful heart warming performance of Mohamed Mamdouh who plays Amin in Secret of the Nile. A true pleasure to watch. The whole cast is also great and a wonderful story.
    My first time seeing Egyptian actors and want to see more – thanks Netflix for showing this.

    Reply
  16. Alicia

    I started watching this show on Netflix and is incredibly amazing. Love the soundtrack,
    Love the story and love all the actors in it.
    Waiting for the next Season…..šŸ„°šŸŽˆšŸ˜.

    Reply
  17. Tony Bennion

    Fantastic series indeed Nida…We didn’t marathon it like you…Took our time over a month and loved every episode….Will there be a follow up?…I they going to leave Ward floating in the Nile with an anchor around her legs?..Is Madame Kesmat going to get away with her devilish attitude?..I hope we will find out!…Oh and Mourrad should certainly hang!…Great acting and we miss them all already!

    Reply
    1. neederish

      Tony, your commentary gave me a much needed laugh! It really was incredible acting. I will be keeping an eye out for the next Egyptian show to recommend and will post here when I have it!

      Reply
  18. Chandler

    Yes indeed , what about the baby from Ward on the ship.
    And the dresses; Ted Baker ?
    Dor Chandler , Waiting for Season 2

    Reply
    1. Judy

      I was impressed too and waiting for the second series
      Great entertainment
      Will watch again
      Maybe no second series itā€™s been a while

      Reply
      1. neederish

        It’s so worth watching again! You’re reminding me to rewatch it sometime soon!

    2. neederish

      The dresses are incredible! And “what happened to the baby” seems to be the biggest outstanding question of the series!

      Reply
  19. kj1919

    I am on episode 30 Hope a 2nd season coming!! Thank yu Netflix.

    Reply
  20. Judy

    When is the second series coming like us all I want to know about the baby and just loved this series

    Reply
  21. Jane watkinson

    Also got hooked on this series. Great acting and lovely period clothes. Adelaide, South Australia

    Reply
  22. Las Chicas del Cable SEASON 5!!! – nida chowdhry

    […] If you enjoyed this series, you might also enjoy Secret of the Nile on Netflix, too! You can read my review here. […]

    Reply
  23. Kim

    Like so many others, I was left wondering what happened to the baby? Also, did Ali actually drown Mourad when they were both in the water? Mourad looked like he might be dead the way his body was in the speedboat on the way back with Ali. This might explain why Kesmet, Nazley’s mother, did not go to prison if Mourad was not alive to specifically accuse her. Also, my husband who is Egyptian said that it would have taken approximately 4 years for Nazley to get a divorce even if Mourad was arrested and convicted of the crime. At the end when they pose for the photo, Nazley is visibly pregnant and it is implied that she and Ali are now married. Nazley specifically says to Ali that it was two years to the day since he first arrived at the Grand Hotel, so that would not be enough time for the divorce, wedding, and pregnancy. What does everyone think……did Mourad drown at the end?

    Reply
  24. Marilyn Simpson

    No need to tie Mourad up if he was already dead. I don’t think Mourad would have his own child killed, but maybe he would?

    Reply
  25. Barbara Purington

    Amin, Mohamed Mamdouh, Why was he made to seem intellectually impaired, like a big oaf, stumbling around with eyes half closed?

    Reply
  26. ‘Bridgerton’ Season 1 is so, so good – nida chowdhry

    […] of you may know, I am of the Abbey, a frequent guest at the Grand Hotel on the Nile, and, of course, I patch all my calls through Las Chicas Del Cable. I love to get my historical […]

    Reply
  27. Las Chicas del Cable Season 5 Part 2 – EL FINAL (Season 6) – nida chowdhry

    […] you know who the DoƱa Carmen actress reminds me of? The mother in law in Secret of the Nile! (Read my review for another amazing juicy show. Sadly, the actress from Secret of the Nile passed away recently. She was in over 100 […]

    Reply
  28. M

    I see Nick Offerman (Parks & Recreation’s Ron Swanson) more than Joshua Jackson! :)

    Reply

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