TYRANT is a series that touches on a contentious subject – war in the Middle East. But it is housed in a more contained world – as opposed to other jingoistic offerings: Homeland and The Honourable Woman.
However, the dictator/s in the series – from the late Khaled Al-Fayeed to his volatile and equally ruthless son Jamal, who takes over as president of Abbudin – do seem as if they are moulded, in a way, on real-life figures like Saddam Hussein or Muammar Gaddafi.
As much as this series offers a hard-hitting look at family politics and dynamics, it is also penetrated by an innocuous gentleness in the bond between the protagonist Bassam “Barry”, who has been estranged from his family for 20 years, and his older brother, Jamal.
They are polar opposites. Barry is a family man, doting on his wife Molly (Jennifer Finnigan) and his teenage kids: Noah, who is gay, and Emma, their spirited daughter. However, he becomes cold and distant when it comes to certain matters, especially his childhood. This inner turmoil builds up even more when he grudgingly returns to Abbudin for a family wedding.
Meanwhile, Jamal is lawless, materialistic, flashy, rash, violent and demanding. That he thinks nothing of slapping his wife around, of physically checking if his soon-to-be daughter-in-law is “pure”, talks to his power-mad character.
The worlds of the two brothers collide when their father unexpectedly dies.
Some critics haven’t been too impressed by this show, which was created by Gideon Graff (Homeland) and developed by Craig Wright (Six Feet Under) and Howard Gordon (24). And The Council of American-Islamic Relations have taken issue with the way Arab culture was depicted in the first episode.
As much as Tyrant takes on a strong political overtone, it is also a story humanised by themes of conflict and honour. The family dynamics are interesting too. Especially with the subject of homo-sexuality broached.
The casting is also fantastic. Adam Rayner could pass for an American or Arab. And that indistinguishable look plays into this role wonderfully. Soap fans will remember Finnigan as Bridget Forrester. As Rayner’s wife, she is sophisticated, strong and offsets the intensity and angst with the warmth she brings as a mother and wife. And Ashraf Barhom is a tour de force as Jamal.
Tyrant is a gripping drama with jaw-dropping graphic scenes and gleaming performances all around.
l Tyrant, Wednesdays, Fox (DStv channel 125) and StarSat (channel 131) at 9pm.