HBO Orders Series On Israeli Teens Kidnapped, Murdered by Terrorists

TEL AVIV – HBO has teamed up with the Israeli creator of “In Treatment” for a new 10-episode series about the tragic events involving the 2014 kidnapping of three Israeli teens by Palestinian terrorists.

“The Affair” and “In Treatment” co-creators Hagai Levi and Noah Stollman are on board for the untitled series, which will be directed by award-winning Israeli filmmaker Joseph Cedar and co-produced by HBO and Keshet International’s Los Angeles-based Keshet Studios.

“HBO has always been a home to me. I’m so thrilled to work with them again, and regroup with my good friends from Keshet,” Levi said.

Former HBO president Michael Lombardo will serve as executive producer for the series, the first since he stepped down from his post. Lombardo gave Levi his Hollywood break with “In Treatment,” which was adapted from the Israeli series of the same name.

Production on the new series is set for next summer in Israel. HBO made the following statement regarding the show’s plot:

The series dramatizes the tragic torrent of violence that followed the disappearance of, and intensive search for, three Israeli teens during the summer of 2014. The show follows an idealistic investigator for the Shin Bet (the Israeli equivalent of the FBI) as he deals with the ramifications of violent reactions on both sides of the escalating conflict. A new command position thrusts him into a confrontation that undermines his faith and worldview, leading to a dramatic conflict between his values and the actions of those closest to him.

“We’re excited to work with Keshet and this extremely talented and creative group led by Hagai Levi,” said Casey Bloys, president of HBO Programming.

Keshet was also behind “Homeland,” an adaptation of Israel’s “Prisoners of War.”

American networks have made multiple attempts to film TV series in Israel but the conflict-ridden region has often made the task impossible. Both USA’s Dig and FX’s Tyrant recently had to relocate mid-shoot when violence erupted in the Gaza Strip.