Muslim group’s concerns about ‘Tyrant’ addressed, FX and producers say

FX and the producers of FX’s upcoming drama “Tyrant” are trying to reassure a a Muslim civil rights organization about its concerns over the series.

Leaders of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), which bills itself as “the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization” sent a letter to FX President John Landgraf last week saying they were worried about “potential Islamophobic stereotyping” in the drama, which premieres June 24.

“FX, Fox 21 and the producers recognize that some people may have some concerns over possible stereotyping in ‘Tyrant,’” said a joint statement released by FX and producers Fox 21. “For the past several months, the network, studio and producers have had internal and external discussions to address those concerns.

“There have been conversations with the Muslim Public Affairs Council and with Muslims on Screen and Television, and all parties involved with ‘Tyrant’ look forward to continued dialogue with those organizations.”

“Tyrant” is about an “unassuming American family drawn into the workings of a turbulent Middle East nation,” according to the show’s website. “Bassam ‘Barry’ Al Fayeed, the younger son of the dictator of a war-torn nation, ends a self-imposed 20-year exile to return to his homeland, accompanied by his American wife and children, for his nephew’s wedding. Barry’s reluctant homecoming leads to a dramatic clash of culture as he is thrown back into the familial and national politics of his youth.”