House of Gods explained

Creator:Osamah Sami
Shahin Shafaei
Director:Fadia Abboud
Country:Australia
Language:English
Num Series:1
Num Episodes:6
Executive Producer:Debbie Lee
Sally Riley
Sheila Jayaved
Blake Ayshford
Brett Sleigh
Producer:Bree-Anne Sykes
Editor:Nicholas Holmes
Cinematography:Sky Davies
Runtime:55 minutes
Network:ABC TV

House of Gods is a 2024 Australian television drama series. It is created by Osamah Sami and Shahin Shafaei and produced by Matchbox Pictures. It was broadcast on ABC TV from 25 February until 31 March 2024.

Premise

In the Sydney suburb of Fairfield, Sheikh Mohammad is bidding for the head cleric position at his mosque. However, whilst his progressive positions are backed by his children they bring tension to aspects of the more conservative community.[1]

Cast

Production

The 55 minute six-part drama series[2] was created by Osamah Sami (whose father was head cleric of a mosque in Melbourne) and Shahin Shafaei. It is co-written by Blake Ayshford and Sarah Bassiuoni. Sami first presented the idea to the Matchbox Pictures producer Sheila Jayadev 5-6 years prior to production.[3]

House of Gods is directed by Fadia Abboud and executive producers are Debbie Lee, Sally Riley, Jayaved, Blake Ayshford, and Brett Sleigh. Bree-Anne Sykes is series producer.[4] [5]

The series has an entirely Arab Australian cast, which includes Kamel El Basha, Osamah Sami, Maia Abas, Majid Shokor, Safia Arain, Simon Elrah, Priscilla Doueihy, Ali Ibrahim, Azmi Al-Hasani, Saif Alawadi, Wadih Dona, and Antoinette Lattouf.[6] [7]

Broadcast

The series was shown in Australia on ABC TV from 25 February 2024,[8] until 31 March 2024.[9] All episodes of the series were added to ABC iview on 25 February 2024.

Reception

Awards

Kamel El Basha won the best actor prize at the 14th edition of Series Mania in France in March 2024.[10]

Critical reception

Mostafa Rachwani of Guardian Australia gave the drama series a 2 star rating, writing "I think it is important to acknowledge House of Gods as an overall step forward for Muslim representation in Australia." Mel Campbell of ScreenHub gave the drama series a 3½ star rating, writing "Like the sheikh, House of Gods is working hard to find its place and move with its times. And it’s a very absorbing balancing act to watch".

Notes and References

  1. News: Racheani . Mostafa . 24 February 2024 . House of Gods review – 'Succession in a mosque' drama is disappointingly shallow . 22 March 2024 . The Guardian.
  2. Web site: Dalgarno . Paul . 13 February 2024 . House of Gods on ABC iview: need to know . 22 July 2024 . ScreenHub . Creative Hubs Group. }}
  3. News: Quinn . Karl . 14 February 2024 . 'I'm bracing myself for pushback', says creator of mosque drama House of Gods . registration . 23 March 2024 . . Australian TV . Nine Entertainment . Sydney.
  4. Clarke . Stewart . 15 March 2024 . Australia's House Of Gods Started Out As "The Sopranos In A Mosque," Channeled 'Succession' & Ended Up In A Category All Of Its Own . 22 March 2024 . Deadline Hollywood.
  5. ABC unveils bold new drama House of Gods . 24 November 2023 . . 22 March 2024.
  6. Web site: Campbell . Mel . 27 February 2024 . House of Gods, ABC review: an absorbing balancing act . 22 March 2024 . ScreenHub . Creative Hubs Group.
  7. McLennan . Callum . 17 March 2024 . 'You Can't Manufacture Authenticity': the Makers of Australian Series 'House of Gods' Talk Challenging Stereotypes, Religion and Community . 22 March 2024 . Variety.
  8. Web site: Chidiac . Valerie . 25 February 2024 . House of Gods Premiere screening: "We're not portraying sinning Muslims, we are portraying Muslims" . 22 March 2024 . Honisoit . House of Gods premieres on Sunday February 25 at 8.30pm on ABC TV, with episodes released weekly. Watch the trailer here and follow @osamah.sami on Instagram to remain updated..
  9. Web site: Knox . David . 30 March 2024 . House of Gods . 22 July 2024 . . en-AU.
  10. Balaga . Marta . 22 March 2024 . Series Mania Crowns 'Apples Never Fall' Star Annette Bening, Garry Kasparov-Centered 'Rematch' . 22 March 2024 . Variety.