Discussion on Jannat’s New Series
I hope by now most of you have watched Glory, currently streaming on Netflix. If not, I would definitely recommend checking it out. One of the primary reasons the series has generated such extensive discussion within this forum is the presence of Jannat Zubair, who is already widely loved for her contribution to Laughter Chefs Season 1 as well as the ongoing third season. In Glory, she portrays Gudiya, the sister of the two male protagonists, a character who was projected during promotions as someone deeply significant to the narrative.
From the promotional campaigns, interviews, and online conversations surrounding the show, it genuinely appeared as though Gudiya would play a major role throughout the series. Jannat herself was prominently featured during the marketing phase, which naturally led viewers to anticipate a layered and emotionally substantial performance. However, after watching the series, I could not help but feel somewhat underwhelmed by the actual execution of her character arc.
Despite all the anticipation surrounding her role, Gudiya’s overall screen presence is surprisingly limited, amounting to approximately 20–25 minutes across a seven-episode series, with most of her appearances concentrated within the first and final episodes. Considering that each episode runs close to an hour, the disparity between the promotional emphasis on her character and her actual contribution to the storyline felt quite noticeable.
What disappointed me even more was the manner in which her character was utilized within the narrative structure. Gudiya essentially functions as a tragic catalyst for the emotional and violent conflicts driving the story forward, rather than being developed as an independent and multidimensional individual herself. Most of her scenes revolve around suffering — her relationship, the assault, betrayal from within her own family, her eventual murder, and the subsequent hospital sequences where she largely remains unconscious. While these events certainly contribute to the emotional gravity of the series, they leave very little room for the character herself to evolve or for the actress to fully demonstrate her range and capability.
There was indeed one particularly impactful moment involving her attempt to help a girl escape from a women trafficking racket. That scene briefly hinted at the possibility of Gudiya becoming a morally strong and emotionally compelling character with agency and depth. Unfortunately, even within that sequence, the emotional attention shifted predominantly toward the trafficked girl, leaving Gudiya once again positioned more as a narrative device than a fully explored personality.
Another interesting aspect is the ending of the season itself. The final moments clearly suggest the possibility of a continuation, perhaps even another season. However, based on the trajectory of the storyline, it seems highly unlikely that Gudiya could organically return if the creators choose to continue directly from where the narrative currently concludes. The only plausible avenue for her reappearance would be through extensive flashbacks or a prequel-style installment exploring the backstories of the various characters in greater detail. Although the series already incorporates brief flashback sequences, there remains considerable unexplored material that could potentially justify a “Glory 1.0” type of narrative focusing on the events preceding the central tragedy.
As someone who genuinely appreciates Jannat’s acting abilities, I still feel this role represented a missed opportunity. She undoubtedly brought sincerity and emotional vulnerability to the scenes she was given, but the writing never truly allowed her character to transcend beyond victimhood and tragedy. With a more thoughtfully developed arc, stronger dialogues, and greater narrative agency, Gudiya could have emerged as one of the most emotionally resonant characters within the series. More importantly, it would have provided Jannat with the platform to showcase the full extent of her dramatic potential, something I personally believe the series only briefly hinted at, but never fully explored.