Director: Farajollah Salahshoor

Cast: Amir Hossein Modarres, Rahim Norouzi, Jahanbakhsh Soltani, Abbas Amiri, Jafar Dehghan

Yousof Payambar is a 2008 Iranian drama series directed by Farajollah Salahshoor, presenting the life of Prophet Joseph (Yousof) as narrated in Islamic tradition. Spanning his youth in Canaan through his rise to prominence in ancient Egypt, the series is one of the most ambitious religious productions in Iranian television history.

What is Yousof Payambar about?

The series chronicles the extraordinary journey of a young man whose life is upended when his brothers, consumed by jealousy, sell him into slavery and he is transported far from his homeland. Cast into an Egyptian household, he must navigate the treacherous currents of palace politics, false accusation, and imprisonment — all while holding to his faith and moral integrity. Years in confinement become a proving ground: he earns the trust of fellow prisoners through wisdom and the interpretation of dreams, a gift that eventually reaches the ears of the Pharaoh's court. Slowly he ascends from bondage to become one of Egypt's most trusted counselors. The closing arc follows his reunion with the brothers who wronged him and with his aged father, a moment of reconciliation that anchors the entire narrative.

Cast & crew

The series is directed by Farajollah Salahshoor, a veteran of large-scale Iranian historical and religious productions. The ensemble cast includes Amir Hossein Modarres and Rahim Norouzi in central roles, supported by Jahanbakhsh Soltani, Abbas Amiri, Jafar Dehghan, Elham Hamidi, Ala Mohseni, and Seyed Reza Razavi across the sprawling drama. Each performer anchors a distinct chapter of Joseph's long story.

Context & significance

For Persian-speaking viewers, Yousof Payambar holds a singular place in the canon of Iranian television. The story of Prophet Joseph — Sura Yusuf in the Quran is famously described as the most beautiful of narratives — resonates deeply across generations of Iranian households. The production's scale, on-location shooting, and attention to period costume and set design set it apart from earlier religious serials. Diaspora audiences who grew up watching the series on satellite or VHS remember it as a shared cultural touchstone, and watching it on demand reconnects families across continents with a story woven into the fabric of Persian literary and religious heritage.

Where & how to watch

Yousof Payambar is available to stream in full on K-Time. The series plays in its original Persian audio. You can watch on the web, on your TV, or on your phone — no VPN required, no geo-blocking, and you can cancel anytime.