Fikir Esk Mekabir: The TV Adaptation Making Waves
The adaptation of the iconic Ethiopian novel Fikir Eske Mekabir (Love to the Grave) to the television screen has been gaining popularity, receiving widespread positive reviews. This highly anticipated series, produced by Sew Mehon Productions in collaboration with EBC, began airing on September 11, 2024, and has captivated audiences with its faithful portrayal of the beloved novel.
Deacon Mehari as Bezabih
Deacon Mehari was given to Saint George Church in Gojam by his mother. According to Sewmehon Yismaw, finding the right actor to portray Bezabih was the most challenging aspect of his directing journey while creating Fikir Esk Mekabir. The role of Bezabih required the actor to be a virgin, as monasteries do not permit non-virgins to carry the Tabot or enter the holy section of the church.
Another notable character who gained popularity among viewers is Ato Gizachew, who played Bogale Miheretu, a farmer from Dima Giorgis. Ato Gizachew had no prior experience with film and had never seen a camera before. Both Deacon Mehari and Ato Gizachew, along with 99% of the cast, had never worked in film or cinema before Fikir Esk Mekabir.
In an exclusive interview with Ethiopika Link, Sewmehon Yismaw confirmed that Fikir Esk Mekabir would span four seasons, each consisting of 12 episodes. The series began airing on September 11, 2024, coinciding with the Ethiopian New Year celebrations. ETV had already released four episodes from the first season as a holiday gift, and the show continued with a weekly episode schedule.
The adaptation of Fikir Eske Mekabir marked a significant milestone in Ethiopian television. It was broadcast on EBC’s ABC News Channel at 2:00 AM and on the Entertainment Channel at 5:30 PM. The first episode premiered on EBC’s YouTube channel, @EBCworld, on September 11, 2024.
The novel was adapted into four seasons, totaling 48 episodes, each approximately 45 minutes long. Sew Mehon Productions agreed to deliver the first 12 episodes within five months, with the remaining episodes to be completed within the next nine months. The production deal was valued at 41,427,600 Birr, with 863,075 Birr allocated per episode.
At the signing ceremony held earlier this year at the new EBC Media Complex, it was emphasized that the adaptation would remain true to the original narrative, reflecting the essence of Ethiopia’s literary tradition without exaggeration or distraction.
Fikir Eske Mekabir was expected to resonate with both older generations who cherished the novel and younger viewers discovering its profound story for the first time. The series was also re-broadcast on both EBC channels after the evening news to reach a wider audience.
For many Ethiopians, this adaptation represented a momentous occasion, fulfilling a long-held desire to see Seblewongel and Bezabih’s love story depicted on screen. The series had already garnered more than 2.4 million views.
