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Q+A

Richard Bradley, executive producer and Lion TV’s co-founder and chief creative officer, and Lizzy Ribeiro, sales executive for Middle East, Africa, Israel at All3Media International, on telling the little-known story of the Ghassan, a lost Arab dynasty.

Producer: Lion TV

Distributor: All3Media International

Runtime: 1×90’

What makes this film unique?

Richard Bradley: No-one has told this remarkable story on television before. It’s a story of the Ghassan, a lost Arab dynasty that was Christian and played a key role in the history of the Roman and Persian empires.  Because so much of their world has been destroyed or has disappeared, we had to piece together the story from fragments as it was remembered by those who came after. We’ve combined documentary and epic dramatised scenes based on the records of renowned ancient Roman and Arab historians.

Lizzy Ribeiro : The documentary explores a fascinating and underrepresented period of Middle Eastern history, offering audiences a fresh perspective on a region whose past continues to shape the present.

The combination of high-end dramatic reconstruction with insights from internationally renowned experts, creates a compelling docudrama that brings a little-known chapter of history vividly to life. The dramatic elements raise the emotional stakes and immerse audiences in the story, while expert analysis provides historical depth and credibility.

What are the auspices for the show, including key talent, writers, directors and producers?

LR: The documentary is produced by Lion TV, one of the world’s leading factual production companies and the creators of acclaimed global hits including Pompeii: The New Dig and Secrets of the Saqqara Tomb, one of Netflix’s highest ever performing documentary titles.

The production features a diverse international cast drawn from across the UK, France, UAE, Lebanon, Egypt and beyond, reflecting the rich cultural fabric at the centre of the story itself. Combined with contributions from leading historians and subject matter experts, it delivers both authenticity and broad international appeal.

Who do you see as the audience for the show?

RB: Anyone interested in history or fans epic untold stories will be interested in this documentary.  It is a family saga, with an almost Game of Thrones quality that spans generations and takes you into the little-explored world of the Arabs before the Muslim conquest. It is accessible and engaging, and a fascinating moment in the history of the Middle East.

LR: As a premium docudrama, it’s designed to appeal to a broad audience. It will naturally resonate with viewers who enjoy history programming, while its cinematic storytelling and dramatic reconstructions make it accessible to audiences seeking a more immersive viewing experience.

Additionally, The Lost Kingdom of Arabia arrives at a time of growing interest in understanding the historical foundations of the modern Middle East. The Ghassanids’ story provides a fascinating lens through which to explore another part of the region’s complex political, cultural and religious history. As a Christian Arab kingdom operating at the crossroads of major civilisations, their story offers a new perspective that feels particularly relevant today.

What shows out there in the market might it provide a companion or replacement for?

RB: It would go well alongside any of the big history series about lost civilisations, the sort that Nat Geo or Disney Plus show. Titles such as Netflix’s Alexander the Great, Disney+ title Cleopatra: The Final Secret, Arte’s series on the Mongols, or the BBC’s On Civilisations would be comparable.

LR: Lion TV’s own Secrets of the Saqqara Tomb would be a strong companion title. It offers event-style factual programming that combines expert insight with high-quality dramatic reconstruction. More generally, the blend of archaeology, history, religion and political intrigue positions The Lost Kingdom of Arabia as a strong companion piece to many of the successful history-focused titles currently performing well across both streaming and linear platforms.

How does the show fit within All3Media International’s catalogue?

LR: All3Media International has an established catalogue of premium factual documentaries and docuseries, several of which have been produced by Lion TV. The Lost Kingdom of Arabia sits comfortably alongside other titles in our catalogue such as Pompeii: The New Dig and the aforementioned Jesus: Crown of Thorns, combining rigorous historical credibility with cinematic storytelling to create a premium viewing experience for international audiences.

What is your ambition for the show?

RB: To bring a global audience to a fascinating new and important story that helps us understand a key part of the world. We hope the audience will find the dynastic saga of the Ghassan kingdom gripping and fascinating. There are so many documentaries that tell the same stories again and again, and The Lost Kingdom of Arabia has given us the rare ability to be able to tell a story that is so fresh and with such premium production values as

Where would the show ideally sit across markets, channels and platforms?

RB: The documentary has wide appeal and would sit well on a streamer with a global audience, who have an interest in civilisations or ancient history, as well on any of the public service broadcasters, including the BBC, France Télévisions, Arte, ZDF, NHK and SBS that have an interest in great historical documentaries.

LR: To add to Richard’s point, this documentary is well positioned for premium streaming platforms, where audiences have demonstrated a strong appetite for ambitious historical documentaries and docudrama hybrids. Equally, it would sit comfortably within linear broadcasters and specialist factual channels seeking distinctive, high-quality history content.

What else is important to mention in terms of the show?

LR: Internationally, the subject matter has broad relevance. Audiences around the world continue to show strong interest in the origins and historical development of the modern Middle East. Through the story of the Ghassanids, the documentary explores themes of migration, faith, empire, identity and cultural exchange. These are all topics that resonate far beyond the region itself. By uncovering a lesser-known but significant piece of this historical puzzle, the film feels both timely and globally relevant.

RB: It is a treat of a show – made with the highest premium production values by many of the team behind Tailfeather and Lion’s hit Netflix series Alexander the Great. It is backed by rigorous research and has a hugely talented cast. We hope it is the first of many more such shows to be made about the history of the Arab world.