The 2008 Iranian TV series Prophet Joseph (Yousuf-e Payambar) is a highly acclaimed historical drama that chronicles the life of Prophet Yusuf as described in the Quran and Islamic tradition. Where to Watch with English Subtitles
You can find the full series (45 episodes) with English subtitles on several major video platforms: YouTube Playlists:
The Prophet Yusuf - All Episodes playlist features the complete series with English subtitles.
A high-definition Joseph Al-Siddiq playlist is also available for viewing.
Remastered 4K versions are being released by channels like Salam Media, though some episodes may be dubbed rather than subtitled. Specialised Platforms: The series is available on ShiaTV with English subtitles.
iFilm, the Iranian movie network, often broadcasts the series with English dubbing and subtitles. Series Highlights
Title: The Well of Silence
Scene: Outside the city of Canaan, a caravan route. Night. A deep, dark well.
Visual: Young Yusuf (around 12 years old), his face smudged with dust, looks up at a small circle of stars. His brothers' voices fade into the distance, along with the sound of their retreating camels.
(English Subtitle appears on screen, as if from the series):
[YUSUF, alone, whispers to the darkness] "My father... my father Ya'qub. He used to say: 'Allah sees what others do not see.'"
Narration (matching the series' epic tone):
The brothers had ripped his tunic—the special one his father had given him, the one with the sleeves—and smeared it with false blood. They threw him into this forgotten well, a prison of cold stone and creeping shadows. Their hearts, hardened by jealousy, left him for dead or for passing slavers. prophet yusuf series with english subtitles
Inside the well, Yusuf hears footsteps above. Not his brothers. Strangers.
A rough voice calls down in a foreign tongue (Egyptian).
Subtitle: [CARAVAN LEADER, looking down, to his men] "Lower the bucket. There might be water... or a treasure."
Yusuf hesitates. Then, with a child's faith, he climbs into the leather bucket.
As he is pulled up, torchlight blinds him. Hands grab him—not gently. He is lifted out like a sack of grain.
Subtitle: [CARAVAN LEADER, grinning with crooked teeth] "A boy! A handsome one, too. Canaanite, by his look. He'll fetch a good price in the market of Fustat."
Yusuf does not cry. He looks back toward the hills of Canaan, where his father's tent would be a speck of white.
Subtitle: [YUSUF, inner monologue, voice soft but firm] "O Allah... if this is my brother's doing, then You are the Best of Planners. Do not let my father's tears fall without purpose."
The caravan moves. Yusuf is tied to a camel, stumbling behind. One of the merchants, a kinder man, gives him a piece of dried fig.
Subtitle: [MERCHANT, whispering] "Don't be afraid, boy. Your story is not over. In Egypt, I've seen slaves become kings."
Yusuf looks up. The stars have shifted. The well is gone. The future is a black road leading into sand and mystery.
Final subtitle, fading to black: "And thus began the journey of Yusuf—from the darkness of a well to the light of a palace. But patience, like a seed, must first be buried before it grows." The 2008 Iranian TV series Prophet Joseph (Yousuf-e
End of Part One.
Suggested excerpt you can paste into a post: "Watching Yusuf’s quiet resilience unfold—especially with English subtitles—turns each dream and betrayal into a universal moral lesson: patience need not be passive; it can be an active, wise response to life’s injustices."
The series follows the life of Yusuf, starting from his childhood dreams, his betrayal by his brothers, his slavery in Egypt, his time in prison, and his eventual rise to power as the treasurer of Egypt. It highlights themes of patience, forgiveness, and the ultimate triumph of faith.
Note: Be aware that some versions on YouTube might be the "movie version" (a condensed 2-3 hour film). If you want the full series experience, ensure you are clicking on "Episode 1" rather than the "Full Movie."
The 2008 Iranian television series "Prophet Joseph" (known as Yousuf-e Payambar) is a widely acclaimed epic that dramatizes the life of Prophet Yusuf based on the Quranic account. It is noted for its massive production scale and historical accuracy according to Islamic tradition. Detailed Series Features
Plot & Scope: The series spans the entire life of Prophet Yusuf (Joseph), starting from his childhood dreams and the jealousy of his brothers, to his years of slavery, his time in prison, and his eventual rise as the Vizier of Egypt.
Production: Produced in Iran and directed by Farajollah Salahshoor, it is considered one of the most-watched Iranian TV series globally, having aired in over 90 countries.
Episodes & Length: The series typically consists of 45 episodes, each roughly 45 to 50 minutes long.
Themes: Major motifs include divine guidance through dreams, the virtue of patience (Sabr), family betrayal and reconciliation, and the ultimate triumph of faith over adversity. Watching with English Subtitles
You can find the full series with English subtitles on several platforms: YouTube:
Salam Media offers a remastered 4K version with English subtitles.
Joseph Al Siddiq Playlist provides a complete collection of episodes. Title: The Well of Silence Scene: Outside the
ShiaTV: This platform hosts original versions of the series with embedded English subtitles.
Other Versions: While the Iranian version is the most famous, there are also animated adaptations for children, such as those found on Stories of the Prophets . 4K Prophet Joseph | English | Episode 01
Prophet Yusuf (also known as Prophet Joseph ) TV series is a 45-episode Iranian historical drama that originally premiered on December 27, 2008. Produced by Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), it tells the life story of the Prophet Yusuf based on the Quranic account in Surah Yusuf. Production & Cast Overview The series was written and directed by Farajollah Salahshoor
. It is noted for its high production values, involving a team of 20 scriptwriters and taking four years to complete. Mostafa Zamani : Portrays the adult Prophet Joseph (Jousarseph). Hossein Jafari : Plays the young Joseph. Katayoun Riahi : Portrays Zuleikha. Mahmoud Pakniat : Plays the Prophet Jacob (Ya'qub). Jafar Dehghan : Portrays Potiphar. Plot & Themes
The narrative follows Joseph's journey from being his father's favorite son to being betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery in Egypt. Key plot points include: Childhood and Betrayal
: Joseph is thrown into a well by his jealous brothers and eventually found by a caravan. Rise in Egypt
: He eventually becomes the governor of Egypt after correctly interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams, which helps the nation survive a massive famine.
: The story emphasizes patience, trust in God's plan, and the power of forgiveness, culminating in an emotional reunion with his father after 30 years. Availability with Subtitles
While originally in Persian, the series is widely available with English subtitles and in various dubbed formats:
How does this series stack up against Western biblical epics like The Bible (History Channel) or Joseph: King of Dreams (DreamWorks)?
| Feature | Prophet Yusuf (Iranian series) | Joseph: King of Dreams (Animation) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Runtime | 45 hours | 75 minutes | | Depth | Full political, psychological detail | Condensed, child-friendly | | Language | Persian with English subtitles | English dubbed | | Target Audience | Adults seeking scholarship | Families with children | | Accuracy | High (Qur’an + Biblical sources) | Medium (DreamWorks creative license) |
The Iranian series is superior for adults who want to understand why the story is called "the best of stories." The subtitles allow you to pause and reflect on verses of the Qur’an that appear on screen in Arabic calligraphy.
The original broadcast was in Persian (Farsi). The demand for an English-subtitled version highlights the globalization of Islamic media.