By: Yomna Walid
Their love script kept us waiting for each episode and taught us what patience really means. Ahmed (Karim Fahmy) and Mariam (Saba Mubarak) gave us one of this year&rsquo;s most emotional dramas with &lsquo;220 Days.&rsquo; But beyond the love story, the series dives deep into medical challenges and the realities of life. Behind it all are two rising scriptwriters, Samar Bahgat and Nadeen Nader, who first met in a workshop and went on to form one of the strongest creative duos in Egyptian drama.
NileFM went behind the scenes with them on 220 Days, exploring how the show became a success and without spoilers, what kind of ending viewers can expect as the final episode&rsquo;s air.
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Samar Bahgat on Shaping the Heart of 220 Days:
When you first came across the idea of '220 Days,' what made you want to join the project?
The beauty of the series is in its duality two worlds running side by side: reality, and the one Ahmed creates in his novel. It&rsquo;s not just an escape, it&rsquo;s his way of reimagining the life he wants with his daughter. Emotional, layered, and deeply human, the show explores family relationships in a way that feels fresh and unforgettable.
The series mixes deep emotion with medical drama &mdash; how did you approach balancing those two aspects in your writing?
What excited us was finding that balance between the medical storyline and the raw human emotions around it. We didn&rsquo;t just want to show a condition on screen, we wanted to explore how it ripples through people&rsquo;s lives, their choices, relationships, and growth. The series isn&rsquo;t only about the diagnosis, it&rsquo;s about the journey, the resilience, and the humanity behind it. At the same time, we were committed to accuracy, so we collaborated closely with doctors to make sure every stage of the condition was portrayed authentically. It was a real challenge, but also the heart of what makes the show powerful.
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What part of scriptwriting do you love the most, building characters, dialogue, or structuring the story?
For me, scriptwriting is a lot like painting. Every part is connected to the other, the storyline, the characters, the dialogue. I enjoy the process of writing dialogue the most, because it allows me to really step into the characters&rsquo; shoes and see the world from their perspective. I often ask myself: how would they react, what would they say, what would they feel in this moment? Living with the characters in this way makes them real to me. And if the words I write can touch someone, make them feel seen or understood, then I feel like my work has truly achieved its purpose.
What was it like writing for Saba Mubarak&rsquo;s character Mariam? Did you picture her in the role while writing?
Mariam is such a complex character, she carries a lot of past baggage and throughout the series she faces some incredibly difficult situations. From the very start of the writing process, we always imagined Saba in the role, and she turned out to be the perfect fit. During the table readings, we had deep discussions with her about Mariam, and together we shaped a unified vision of who this character is and all the sides to her. We explored not only her artistic side and her hidden layers, but also her love story with Ahmed, the fears that surface when she learns about his medical condition, her complicated relationship with her father, her emotional encounter with her mother, and the bond she develops with Magda, Ahmed&rsquo;s mother and the entire family. These many layers don&rsquo;t appear all at once, but unfold gradually, giving the audience a chance to really live with Mariam and discover her piece by piece
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Nadeen Nader on Ahmed&rsquo;s Journey and Emotional Storytelling:
What drew you personally to be part of the writing team of 220 Days?
The story felt truly unique, different from anything I had come across before. It blends powerful emotions with imaginative fictional elements in a way that is both refreshing and compelling.
As a scriptwriter, what do you enjoy most about bringing stories like this to life?
The process of transforming emotions, ideas, and imagination into something that feels real on screen. Writing allows me to give characters a voice, build worlds that people can immerse themselves in, and create moments that resonate on a personal level. For me, the most rewarding part is knowing that a story I help shape can move people, touch them, make them think, or even inspire them long after they&rsquo;ve watched it.
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How do you usually find inspiration when developing complex characters such as Ahmed?
I focus on the human core of the character, their fears and hopes. With Ahmed Fadl, the inspiration came from his fight against a silent villain: time. Knowing he might not live beyond 220 days, he chooses to create a world where his daughter can always find him. That balance of love, fear, and legacy is what inspired me most.
How was the experience of writing for Karim Fahmy&rsquo;s character? Did his style as an actor influence your writing in any way?
Writing for Karim Fahmy&rsquo;s character was an inspiring experience. His style as an actor, subtle, emotionally layered, and deeply authentic absolutely influenced the way I approached writing his character. Knowing how he brings nuance to even the smallest moments allowed me to craft dialogue and scenes with more depth, trusting that he would elevate them through his performance. In many ways, his presence shaped not only the voice of the character but also how the story&rsquo;s emotional weight came through on screen.
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Do you already have upcoming projects after '220 Days' that you&rsquo;re excited about?
After such a big and successful milestone like '220 Days,' I believe it&rsquo;s important to slow down and consider the next step carefully. hopefully I&rsquo;ll be ready to share something new very soon.
Samar and Nadeen Together: Building 220 Days
How did you both first meet and decide to collaborate as scriptwriters?
We first met in 'El Motahama's' writing workshop back in 2021, and we immediately connected.
What makes your writing partnership work so smoothly?
We&rsquo;re very much alike in the way we think&mdash;it&rsquo;s almost like looking into a mirror. We never doubt each other&rsquo;s ideas, which makes the collaboration seamless and natural.
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What was the most rewarding moment for you during the journey of 220 Days?
Definitely receiving the feedback. Hearing how the story touched people and seeing their emotional connection to it made all the hard work worthwhile.
How do you want '220 Days' to stand out compared to other Egyptian dramas?
We want '220 Days' to stand out through its emotional depth and its unique perspective. It&rsquo;s not just about drama for entertainment&mdash;it&rsquo;s about exploring universal themes like time, love, and legacy in a way that feels both personal and cinematic. My hope is that it leaves a lasting impression on viewers and opens the door for more diverse, thought-provoking storytelling in Egyptian drama.
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What are your future dreams as a writing duo &mdash; are there particular types of stories you&rsquo;d love to tell?
Our dream is to keep telling stories that feel both meaningful and different. We&rsquo;re especially drawn to narratives that explore deep human emotions and connect with audiences on a personal level. As a duo, we hope to explore new genres and continue growing through every project we take on.
Without spoilers, what can you tell us about the emotional tone of the ending?
Without giving out spoilers, I can say the ending has a very emotional tone that stays with you.
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All photos featured in this article are credited to Saba Mubarak, Nadeen Nader, and Samar Bahgat.

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