Kinda Hanna talks StarzPlay's epic Kingdoms of Fire

PICTURE THE SCENE: it's 1516 and the Arab territories are facing a challenge from the encroaching Ottoman Empire. The technically advanced armies are gaining ground daily and you decide to make a stand. This is the plot of StarzPlay's latest historical epic Kingdoms of Fire. Directed by Peter Webber, best known for acclaimed films like Girl with a Pearl Earring and Emperor, Kingdoms of Fire has a pan-Arab cast of stars that includes Khaled Al Nabawi, Mahmoud Nasr, Rachid Assaf, Kinda Hanna, Suhair Bin Amara and Mona Wassif. The $40 million production from Genomedia Studios was created and produced in the UAE, and filmed in custom-made studios in Tunisia.
The show follows two heroes throughout their journeys, the first being the Ottoman prince Selim, the governor of a remote area in eastern Anatolia, who made his way to the throne of the Ottoman Sultanate through violence. The other is Tuman Bay, a child who was taken as a slave from Circassia (now southern Russia) to Egypt, growing up to lead a popular resistance against the Ottomans.
You can watch all 14 episodes on the platform right now, but we caught up with Syrian actor Kinda Hanna who plays the older Tuman Bay's love interest, Nelbay, to find out more.
What can you tell us about the series and your character? What is the most interesting part about playing your character and what research did you do?
Working on Kingdoms of Fire was, indeed, a very enjoyable experience. The success of the show was my gateway to a wider, pan-Arab audience, and gave me the chance to showcase what I can do as an actor, especially when surrounded by such talented cast and crew.
As for my character, I think what resonated most with me is her spontaneity. I loved reading the script and exploring the depths of the character to understand her better, which added to my excitement to be part of this show. I leveraged all my previous experiences to present her in an authentic way, avoiding the traps of exaggeration and over-acting. I wanted the audience to feel close to her and relate to her as a human being capable of giving so much love. And that aspect, too, resonated very deeply with my own self.
How important do you believe it is for the region to have these big budget dramas set here, telling stories from the Middle East? What do you think the show offers an international audience?
It's very important that the industry invests in big-budget shows. Creating true art is the culmination of so many aspects that lead to presenting a beautiful story, coupled with beautiful imagery, to the audience. Kingdoms of Fire has set an example of what we can do in the Arab world, and how we can present our history through masterful storytelling, and compelling visuals.
What was it like filming in Tunisia and working with Peter Webber?
It was truly a heartwarming experience. There's no doubt that Tunisia is a beautiful country, and its people are so kind and hospitable, it made me feel as if I've never left home!
Working with Peter was an exciting experience. He gives a great focus to preparing and rehearsing every scene before the cameras start rolling. I've learned a lot from him and working on the show exposed all of us to an entirely new working culture that we weren't exactly familiar with in the Arab world. So, I can say that the entire experience had a very valuable learning curve to it.
What do you think is the show's overall message and are there any parallels with what is going on today?
In my opinion, the overarching message of the show focuses on the values of sacrifice and loyalty. It's a beautiful message. It tells us that what matters is not who wins or loses- what truly matters is the love and support we give to those we care about. It tells us to be true to our principles and values, because the uneasy path is often the most truthful. We must face our fears and fight our way without compromising on who we are, and what we represent as human beings.
Do you think you would have enjoyed living in that time for real? What is the one modern item you could not live without?
Absolutely. I worked hard to embody this character in the most authentic way possible and wanted to be completely immersed in the story and its historical setting. And the only thing we can't live without is love. On the other hand, I am someone who enjoys challenges and adventures, which I got to experience while working on Kingdoms of Fire.
What are your hopes for Kingdoms of Fire? Would you like to see the series made into a movie?
I hope the message of the show goes through into the audiences' minds and hearts. And I think the story is rich enough to make for a feature film, yes.
What do you enjoy watching on TV right now?
I'm currently watching the new Jennifer Aniston series The Morning Show.
Do you ever visit the UAE?
Indeed. It's a beautiful country where modernity lives in harmony with the rich heritage. The UAE is like a second home to me, and I have nothing but all the love the respect for the country and its wonderful people. 
If you could decide your character gets to meet one person from history, who would it be and why?
Munira Al Mahdiya, the first Egyptian actress in the history of cinema.
Hanna's career in a nutshell
Graduating from Syria's High Institute of Dramatic Arts in 2006, Hanna is an acclaimed Arabic actor. The 35-year-old has appeared in numerous projects including Damascus: The Smile of Sadness (2008), and TV series Al Raboss (2017) and The Neighbour's Gate (2015-2017).
david@khaleejtimes.com