The Kabul Unit: A Realistic Look at Courage and Consequence
The first season of The Unit impressed viewers with its realism, the careful documentation of the work carried out by a counter-terrorism squad, and the ambitious production choices. The series expanded its scope with a second chapter that shifts focus toward a looming threat and the emotional stakes that come with it. The latest chapter, Kabul Unit, arrived on Movistar Plus+ on Thursday the 18th and offers a tense portrayal of Afghanistan under Taliban control as Western efforts retreat and the hope for freedom battles against a looming crisis. The drama centers on the human cost of abandonment and the fight to preserve dignity amid chaos.
The six episodes, each about forty minutes, unfold in the Almería desert and recreate pivotal locations such as an evacuation point near Kabul airport and surrounding Afghan villages. The narrative follows three agents who endure extreme pressure: Marcos, Miriam and Naja. They arrive days ahead of a critical tip about a planned attack in Europe, only to confront a scenario that ultimately falls into Taliban hands. Through intricate intrigues, the series reveals the seeds of terror and the experiences of a woman named Fazela who embodies resilience and life in a besieged land. The cast includes Shabnam Rahimi, a boxer whose refugee experience lends authenticity to the portrayal. Her presence underscores the harsh reality that women face under Taliban rule, stripped of education, work, and basic freedoms, and often silenced in fear.
Creators Alberto Marini and Dani de la Orden aim to convey a strong message about the consequences of extremism and the human toll on Afghan civilians. Fazela, the chief physician at Kabul Hospital, is forced to confront the Taliban’s return and adapts by donning a burqa, a symbol of oppression that becomes a stark motif in the story. The producers emphasize that the scene is both beautiful and terrifying, underscoring the emotional impact of the moment. The actors bring depth to their roles, with Marian Alvarez portraying Miriam and Fariba Sheikhhan as Najwa, each bearing the weight of trauma and hardship in scenes that test their characters’ endurance and faith. The drama captures moments of profound pain and resilience, offering a window into a world where survival often hinges on difficult choices.
The origin of everything
The idea for a third season emerged in August 2021 as Kabul dominated headlines. Dani De la Orden recalls a sense of necessity rather than opportunity, explaining that the team sought to present a truthful portrait of the Taliban scenario alongside American involvement. The goal was to tell a story about terrorism, but also to center the experiences of women and ordinary people who bear the brunt of extremism. The producers sought to humanize refugees rather than cast them aside, hoping the narrative would offer humanitarian insight as well as drama.
The team tapped substantial resources, including access to the Ministry of Information, veteran journalist Luis de Vega who observed the sequence of events before, during, and after evacuations, and the head of the Kabul evacuation team known as GEO. The collaboration extended to the Spanish Army general who organized the mission, providing a foundation of realism that shaped the production. The writing and filming philosophy emphasized authenticity, with a commitment to portraying Afghan life with dignity. Afghan actors, a meticulously designed wardrobe, and dialogues in Afghan with subtitles (not dubbed) contribute to the grounded feel that has marked the series from its inception.
Ambitious blockbuster
The Kabul project grew into a cinematic-scale endeavor directed by Marini and De la Orden. A large crew supported the vision, including 300 staff members, with 130 actors and extras and a robust action sequence team of forty specialists, among them twenty eight stunt performers on motorcycles. The director notes that recreating Kabul within Madrid, Almería, and even shooting scenes in Pakistan presented a complex challenge. Constructing sets, dressing locations, applying makeup, coordinating vehicles, and choreographing action demanded substantial resources. Afghan actors involved in the project have expressed emotional responses to the process, with the work described as brutal yet professionally rewarding. The collaboration culminated in a production that exemplified the core values of the series and affirmed the team’s commitment to excellence.
The Unit universe could host another season, though the creators chose to close the trilogy as a planned arc. Yet the door remains open should world events create a new context for the characters. The team acknowledges that while the future is uncertain, the possibility of continuing the story exists if it serves a meaningful purpose for audiences and communities affected by real-world events.