In a new success story for the Egyptian film industry, Netflix started airing Nov. 5 its highly anticipated first Arabic original series it has produced from Egypt. The launching of "Paranormal" took place as the world's leading streaming entertainment service tries to expand its presence and draw larger audiences in the Arab world.

The series is set in the 1960s and tackles the story of a cynical haematologist, Refaat Ismail, whose world is turned upside down after he starts to question his strong scientific convictions after experiencing a series of paranormal activities as he enters his 40s. In the first season, Ismail and his university colleague Maggie immerse themselves in this paranormal world and try to save their loved ones from the dangers around them.

"Paranormal" is based on a best-selling thriller novel series with the same name penned by well-known Egyptian author Ahmed Khaled Tawfik, who is considered the father of horror and science fiction genres in contemporary Arabic literature and has sold more than 15 million copies. The series is produced by Mohamed Hefzy and Amr Salama, who is also its creator and director. Ismail is played by actor Ahmed Amin.

“The expectations can always be too high in a way that could hurt the show if it does not deliver as per such expectations,” Hefzy told Al-Monitor. “Thankfully, I feel with the feedback we have received during the [first] 24 hours that it did more than deliver.”