By: Yomna Walid
After 16 years in theatre, Egyptian actor Ahmed Radwan continues to surprise audiences this Ramadan, proving his ability to master a wide range of roles.
This season, he stands out as Shaarawy in &ldquo;El Nos El Tany&rdquo; (Season 2), a comedic police officer whose every appearance involves a new disguise, transforming him into a completely different character. In contrast, in &ldquo;Ard wa Talab&rdquo;, he delivers a deeply emotional performance as Gamal, an investigative journalist uncovering a gang involved in illegal organ trade, leaving viewers both moved and on edge.
Radwan has impressed audiences this year with his versatility, bringing distinct energy to each project, from &ldquo;El Sett&rdquo; and &ldquo;Al Sada Al Afadel&rdquo; to &ldquo;Single Mother Father&rdquo;, &ldquo;El Nos El Tany&rdquo;, and &ldquo;Ard wa Talab.&rdquo;
NileFM goes behind the scenes with Radwan to explore his preparation for Shaarawy in &ldquo;El Nos El Tany&rdquo;, Gamal in &ldquo;Ard wa Talab&rdquo;, and the surprise he has in store as he takes on directing for the first time in his upcoming theatre production.
Shaarawy is full of mystery and suspense. What attracted you to this character from the start?
What drew me to Shaarawy was the idea of someone who appears one way, while we don&rsquo;t really know who he is, only to discover later that he plays a heroic and patriotic role. I found that very engaging, especially working with Ahmed Amin, as the character in the script is quite rebellious and wants to do things her own way.
Having someone guide her to think about the country&rsquo;s interest created a very enjoyable dynamic between us. Our scenes together had strong, fun energy.
I was also drawn to the idea of disguises. Every time he appears, he takes on a different form, making him unrecognisable. That aspect was particularly enjoyable and reminded me of my early days in acting, when I would take on multiple personas, almost as if playing several characters at once.
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Did you add anything new to Shaarawy&rsquo;s character that wasn&rsquo;t in the script?
Yes. Developing characters and adding details has always been part of my process. I usually build a backstory, where the character comes from, their life, and their defining traits.
When I worked with director Hossam Ali, he added historical context about the character and the role of officers at that time, which encouraged me to research further.
We also explored the character creatively, even describing him through animal traits. We found that Shaarawy resembled an owl, focused, observant, and slightly suspicious.
Another layer came from working with Ahmed Amin on dialogue. We discovered a playful dynamic through improvisation, particularly in how the characters persuade and challenge each other. That process added something new to the role.
Shaarawy is an officer with hidden patriotic motivations. How did you prepare for the role?
What fascinated me was how some people at the time worked under occupation yet secretly carried out patriotic acts that could put their lives at risk.
I explored this historical aspect through research and documentaries. At the same time, we introduced a comedic tone into the script to balance the character.
The series blends history, espionage, and comedy. How did you balance seriousness and humour?
From the beginning, I agreed with Ahmed Amin that comedy should come naturally from the character and the situation.
It was a challenge, as the cast is highly skilled in comedy. But working with Ahmed Amin and Mohamed Nasser made it easier. My focus was building the character seriously, while they helped shape how humour could flow within the scenes.
What was the most challenging scene for you?
In &ldquo;El Nos El Tany&rdquo;, there weren&rsquo;t difficult scenes. Most were enjoyable, filled with humour, disguises, and playful acting.
One memorable moment was performing as a licorice vendor, where I focused on mastering the physical movements and sounds. It was fun rather than difficult.
The more demanding scenes were in &ldquo;Ard wa Talab&rdquo;, which required intense emotional and physical effort.
What do you hope audiences take away from &ldquo;El Nos El Tany&rdquo;?
I hope they enjoy it. The series already had a strong foundation, and I wanted to contribute positively and integrate well with the team.
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The two roles are very different. How did you separate them?
It was exciting to play two contrasting characters during Ramadan, one comedic and one dramatic.
In &ldquo;Ard wa Talab," I played Gamal, a journalist who goes undercover as a kidney donor to expose a criminal network. In &ldquo;El Nos El Tany&rdquo;, I played an officer using disguises for patriotic purposes.
Each role had its own complexity. One relied on humour and disguise, the other on tension and emotional depth. Exploring both sides is what makes acting fulfilling for me.
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Was there a memorable behind-the-scenes moment?
On &ldquo;Ard wa Talab," despite the heavy themes, the atmosphere was always light-hearted. The cast, including Salma Abu Deif, Ali Sobhy, Mostafa Abu Sriea, Alaa Morsi, and Rahma Ahmed, brought a lot of humour off camera.
Even during intense scenes, there was always laughter behind the scenes.
Did any scene affect you personally?
There is a major scene in the final episode that was emotionally and physically exhausting. I cannot discuss it yet, but I hope it resonates with audiences.
How does the series raise awareness about organ donation?
I&rsquo;m very proud of &ldquo;Ard wa Talab&rdquo;. It doesn&rsquo;t present issues directly, but weaves them into the narrative, allowing viewers to reflect naturally.
This subtle approach makes the message more powerful.
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Tell us about your experience in &ldquo;El Sett.&rdquo;
Working with Marwan Hamed is a dream for any actor. I was fortunate to have a significant role as El Desouki.
Working with Mona Zaki was also a highlight. She is incredibly professional, humble, and supportive.
How does theatre differ from film and television for you?
Theatre offers a unique experience, the preparation, the tension before stepping on stage, and the direct connection with the audience.
Film and television allow for multiple takes and collaboration, but they lack that immediate energy.
What&rsquo;s next for you?
I am currently preparing for a theatre production that I will direct for the first time. It is set to premiere in April.
Beyond that, I am continuing my improvisational theatre work with my team &ldquo;Maktoob Alina," and I&rsquo;m looking forward to future opportunities.
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Photo Credit: Ahmed Radwan's official page&nbsp;

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