Cut! Pharaoh TV drama Al-Malik halted after fans bristle

Historians and fans alike have questioned why the lead actor, Amr Youssef, kept his beard
Historians and fans alike have questioned why the lead actor, Amr Youssef, kept his beard

An Egyptian TV series about the pharaohs has been suspended after a public backlash over historical inaccuracies, including the beard of its main star and blonde hair of another.

The epic drama Al-Malik (The King) was due to premiere during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which starts later this month.

But the production company behind the show said it would now be delayed or even cancelled while a committee of historical experts reviewed its content, after complaints about its cast, costumes and the luxuriant facial hair of its star.

The drama portrays events during the reign of Ahmose I, the founder of the first kingdom of the New Dynasty of ancient Egypt
The drama portrays events during the reign of Ahmose I, the founder of the first kingdom of the New Dynasty of ancient Egypt

The drama portrays events during the reign of Ahmose I, the founder of the first kingdom of the New Dynasty of ancient Egypt, who led the successful expulsion of the foreign Hyksos rulers in the