Fauda season 4 is finally here but there’s one stand-out cast member missing from the latest installment and we’re not happy about it

The long-awaited Fauda season 4 has finally dropped and is already one of the best new Netflix shows to stream this month. Fans of the show can once again catch up with Doran (Lior Raz), Nurit (Rona-Lee Shimon), Steve (Doron Ben-David), and Sagi (Idan Amedi) as they return for some seriously explosive plot twists.

For anyone not familiar with the Netflix show, it sees Doron, a retired member of the Israeli Defence Force, pulled back into duty after he learns an enemy - whom he thought had been killed - is actually still alive. Following three super successful seasons and a nod of acknowledgment from The New York Times when it voted (opens in new tab) Fauda as one of the best international TV shows, it’s back with another 12 episodes, but unfortunately one of our favorite cast members is missing in action.

While it’s not unusual for strong characters to be killed off in the show - who could forget that shocking ending of season two, episode nine when Doron found Shirin had taken her own life? - we were always hoping that one character in particular, would be coming back for Fauda season 4. 

Jameel Khoury who played the political leader of Hamas, Abu Smara in 16 episodes across the last three seasons hasn’t returned for season 4, and to be honest, we think it’s a HUGE mistake.

Abu Smara was one of the most charismatic characters we’ve seen of late with Jameel playing the hypnotic villain splendidly. His ability to command attention had us captivated from the very moment he entered the screen way back in series one.

And even though you’re not meant to like Smara, there was just something about his intense stare that transfixed viewers and kept us coming back for more.

But don’t worry, if you’re missing your Jameel fix, fans of the actor should check out The Girl From Oslo, also available to watch on Netflix (opens in new tab) now. 

Characters that have returned for the latest installment include Doron, played by Lior Raz, (also the series creator), Captain Eyov, Gali, Nurit, Steve, Eli, Avichay, Sagi, and Dana.

And four new cast members have joined the Fauda season 4 lineup, including Inbar Lavi, Mark Ivanir, Amir Boutrous (who played General Nasser in The Crown), and Lucy Ayoub.  

Despite a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 100 percent, Fauda has both impressed viewers and caused controversy, due to its storylines centering around the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Some writers have criticized the show for its ‘relentless machismo’, while Yasmeen Serhan, writing for The Atlantic commented, “Viewers who are hungry for a Palestinian perspective on the conflict would do well to urge Netflix to commission a Palestinian-created series because Fauda will probably prove a disappointment. Although it does better than most shows and movies at depicting certain facets of the conflict."

Fauda season 4 is out now, on Netflix.