Watch Baghdad Central

In the midst of the Iraq War in 2003, Baghdad Central is a gripping crime-thriller drama television series that unfolds the story of ex-policeman Muhsin al-Khafaji as he tries to navigate his way through the chaotic city of Baghdad to find his missing daughter after the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime.

The series is set in the aftermath of the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the removal of Saddam Hussein from power, with the new era bringing its own set of challenges and turmoil to the country. Baghdad Central explores the human stories that emerge from the embattled city, featuring a range of complex characters who have been affected by the war and the unrest that continues to grip the region.

Waleed Zuaiter takes on the lead role of Muhsin al-Khafaji, an Iraqi police inspector and former member of Saddam Hussein's security forces. Forced out of his job for refusing to cooperate with the regime, Muhsin finds himself working as a mechanic after the war. However, when his daughter Sawsan goes missing, he is drawn back into the world of law enforcement and must navigate the treacherous landscape of post-war Iraq to track her down.

Along the way, Muhsin is forced to confront a host of challenges and obstacles, including corrupt officials, shadowy militias, and foreign soldiers. He is often caught in the middle of competing interests, torn between his desire to find his daughter and his sense of duty to his fellow Iraqis. Throughout the series, we see him grappling with the moral ambiguities of his situation, trying to do what is right even when it seems like there are no good options left.

Corey Stoll plays the role of Frank Temple, an American intelligence officer who is tasked with tracking down Sawsan as part of a secretive operation known as 'Baghdad Central'. While initially opposed to working with Muhsin, Frank finds himself drawn into the local's mission to find his daughter and the pair form an unlikely alliance as they navigate the city's dangerous underbelly.

The backdrop of Baghdad provides a compelling setting for the series, with the city depicted as a fractured and chaotic place where danger is never far away. The show effectively captures the tension and uncertainty of life in post-war Iraq, with the inhabitants of the city trying to come to terms with the new reality of their country. The cinematography is particularly striking, with the dusty, sun-baked landscape of Baghdad vividly captured on screen.

While the central theme of the show is the search for Sawsan, there are plenty of other subplots and twists that keep viewers engaged. The series explores issues around corruption, betrayal, and the price of loyalty, with the characters forced to grapple with some difficult moral questions. There are also moments of tension and violence throughout the show, as the characters navigate their way through the dangerous world of post-war Iraq.

Overall, Baghdad Central is an engaging and thought-provoking television series, offering a compelling look at the aftermath of the Iraq War. With strong performances from the cast and excellent production values, it is a worthy addition to the canon of crime-thriller dramas.