Hadya Saeed (Arabic: هدية سعيد; born 23 March 1960) is a Qatari actress who is best known for being the first professional actress from the State of Qatar.[1]

Biography

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Saeed started her acting career in 1977 while still in school, joining the Al Adwaa Troupe and thus becoming the first Qatari actress.[2] As her traditional family disapproved of her career choice, she attempted to conceal it from them. However, they discovered her secret, and while she was in the middle of performing a play, her brother stormed on stage and physically assaulted her, dragging her out of the theatre hall by her hair. She continued to act, but took extra precautions to hide her activities from her family. When she got married, she stipulated that her husband allow her to pursue her acting career freely, to which he obliged.[3] She eventually mended ties with her family, including her brother, stating in a 2023 interview that her family was now proud of her work.[2]

She earned recognition for her role in the 1984 Qatari television series Fayez Al Tosh and the 1996 Kuwaiti series Bu Habash, where she played the wife of the main character Bu Habash, a man known for his frugality and lack of generosity.[2] In 1985, she featured in Qatar's second locally-made children's series, Jassim's Adventures, produced by Qatar TV and filmed in Studio 4.[4] Other shows she acted in include The Big House (1990) and Excuse Me, Father (1994).[2] In 2018, she took part Ghanem Al Sulaiti's television series What's Happening?, where she filled the role of the wife of the main character, appearing in five episodes.[5]

Saeed took part in many plays, including Ibtisam by the Dock (1984), Antar and Abla (1986) and Earthquake (1988).[2]

Filmography

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Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1984 Fayez Al Tosh [6]
1990 The Big House [7]
1994 Excuse Me, Father [8]
1996 Bu Habash [9]

References

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  1. ^ "Characters". CP Characters. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e "تلتزم بالعادات والتقاليد الخليجية في أعمالها.. هدية سعيد أول فنانة قطرية" (in Arabic). Al Arab. 24 September 2023. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
  3. ^ "القطرية هدية سعيد: "بعد ما سحلني أخوي بالفريج الحين يفتخر فيني" ..وشيخة زويد: سقف الحرية عالٍ في البحرين" (in Arabic). Al-Anba (Kuwait). 16 December 2014. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
  4. ^ Boughanmi, Hajer (23 July 2020). "انطلاقة قوية لقناة قطر 2" (in Arabic). Al Sharq. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  5. ^ Saber, Fathieh Hussam (2023). "Shellyseer: A Literary Evolution" (PDF). Qatar University. p. 373. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
  6. ^ "Fayez El Toush S1 (1984)". elcinema.com. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
  7. ^ "The Big House (1990)". elcinema.com. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
  8. ^ "Excuse Me, Dad (1994)". elcinema.com. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  9. ^ "Bou Habash (1996)". elcinema.com. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
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