Egyptian actor Mahmoud Abdel Ghani has denied reports that he is joining the cast of TV series al-Rakin.   He told Arabstoday on Tuesday that he has turned down the role, refusing to explain why. Abdel Ghani was set to appear in the series co-starring Hassan Hosni, Likaa el-Khamissi, Ahmed Wafik, Yasser Galal and Madeleine Tabar. It is directed by Gama Abdel Hamid, who is apparently searching for a new lead to replace Abdel Ghani. The actor also confirmed that he has turned down the lead role in TV series, Fadd Eshtebak, meaning disengagement in English, to enable him to focus more on the current drama he is filming called Raghm el-Forak. Written by Beshir el-Deek and directed by Hatem Ali Zeina, the show will co-star Ward el-Khal. The actor’s latest appearance in the 2012 series Taraf Talet (Third Party), which aired during Ramadan, proved hugely popular. He starred alongside other big names such as Amr Youssef, Amir Karara, Nabil Issa and Hana Sheeha.