NETFLIX 'ALEXANDER THE GREAT' SERIES BEGINS FILMING IN EGYPT

Netflix will begin filming next month for its new series "Alexander the Great," starring British actor Ben Whishaw, at Siwa Oasis in Egypt's Western Desert.

The TV show will be directed by Jack Holland, who is scheduled to arrive in Cairo between January 23 and 26.

Holland is set to meet with technical officials and inspect filming locations during his late January visit, with shooting for the series scheduled to begin in Siwa in February or early March, depending on the weather.

The cast of the new TV series will finish up filming in Morocco after finishing work in Siwa.

Netflix has contracted with a number of artists and producers in Egypt to provide assistance with the TV series, including producers Magdy Nour and Khaled Safwat, who will take over the technical side of filming in Egypt. 

A number of young Egyptian actors ... graduates of Egyptian actor and director Hossam Dagher's studio ... will also be assigned to play supporting roles in the series.

Whishaw, who critics say embodies the personality of the iconic young conqueror Alexander the Great, acted in his first role in “The Trench" (1999), and continued to play small roles in movies, television and short films. 

He is best known for his starring role alongside late British actor Alan Rickman in the period thriller film "Perfume: The Story of a Murderer" (2006).

Alexander the Great led a historic journey across Egypt's Western Desert, and some believe that the priests of Amun named the young conqueror a son of the ancient God Amun during his visit to the famed Siwa oracle.