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12 Israeli shows to binge watch (now that you’re done with ‘Shtisel’)

By Lior Zaltzman
This article originally appeared on Kveller

I love “Shtisel!” The Israeli show, about a haredi Orthodox family, is taking American audiences by storm. Streaming on Netflix, this show has been covered by The New York Times and even has a Facebook fan group with more than 6,000 fans. I totally get the hype – “Shtisel” is truly an impeccable show. Its only flaw? It is only two seasons and unlikely to have a third season.

But, do not fret. From Netflix to Amazon, it seems the world is onto the fact that Israel makes some truly incredible TV. These days, there is a delightful array of Israeli content on all your favorite streaming platforms. Many of these shows have cast members in common with  “Shtisel” – Israel is a small country, after all.

Here are other Israeli shows to binge your heart out.

 

The Beauty and the Baker (Amazon Prime)

In this star-crossed romance, poor pita baker Amos meets Noa, an international supermodel and actress, and an explosive romance ensues. But Noa’s agent and Amos’s ex band together to try and break the two apart. Will true love conquer all? 

As Britain’s Channel 4 presenter Walter Izzuliuno says, “If TV is a drug, then this is an addictive, delicious medicine that’s guaranteed to make you feel better.” I concur! And of course, as with any good Israeli show, ABC has a pilot based on this thoroughly enjoyable show in production.

 

False Flag (Hulu)

A total nail biter. In its first season, five Israelis wake up one morning to find that they are implicated in the assassination of an Iranian politician. They’re teachers, new immigrants, and a bride on her wedding day – not really folks you’d expect to be involved in a complicated Mossad mission. The news wreaks havoc on their lives and puts them under scrutiny from the media and the police. But are they as innocent as they profess to be? (Yes, there is an American adaptation in the works.)

 

When Heroes Fly (Netflix) 

This drama features some familiar (and handsome!) faces for lovers of Israeli dramas. First off, there’s Michael Aloni from “Shtisel,” and Tomer Kapon from “Fauda.” They each star as veterans of the Second Lebanon War, dealing with its trauma in different ways. Along with two other former teammates from the army, they go to search for Yaeli, who is the sister of one of the soldiers and the ex-girlfriend of Kapon’s character. Yaeli was believed to have been killed in a car accident in Colombia but was recently spotted by a photographer there. 

Based on an incredible book by Amir Gutfreund, the show has been renewed for a second season. And, you guessed it, there’s an American adaptation in the works. Don’t miss it.

 

HaShoter HaTov (Netflix)

This delightful comedy’s title is Hebrew for “The Good Cop.” It’s been kept in Hebrew because Netflix bought an adaptation for it, “The Good Cop,” starring Josh Groban and Tony Danza, which somehow was not as good as you would expect it to be. But the Hebrew counterpart is one of my favorite shows in a long, long time. It’s a really good, juicy comedy with wonderful acting and poignant dramatic moments. This show is not the most politically correct, but the humanity with which it treats its characters is endearing.

 

Hostages (Netflix)

I watched the entire first season of this show in one evening. Ayelet Zurer (Elisheva from “Shtisel”) stars as a surgeon about to get the gig of a lifetime: She’s going to operate on the Israeli prime minister! But alas, her family gets taken hostage, and in order to secure their release, she must do one thing: ensure the prime minister does not survive the surgery. Will she do the right thing? Will she rescue her family? Will there be some steamy illicit romance? (Yes!) The suspenseful drama did get an American adaptation, but unfortunately was canceled after its first season. But you can watch its two seasons on Netflix right now.

 

A Touch Away (Amazon Prime) 

Set in in the religious city of Bnei Brak, “A Touch Away” is a Romeo and Juliet love story about the secular son of a Russian immigrant and the daughter of a haredi Orthodox family. It’s a touching (see what I did there?) story of forbidden love, but it also has a great portrayal of what it’s like to be a Russian immigrant in Israel. Unlike “Shtisel,” which handles the religious world with sensitivity and nuance, this drama can be a bit heavy-handed, but it’s still an enjoyable viewing experience.

 

Prisoners of War (Hulu)

If you liked “Homeland,” you’ll enjoy the two seasons of this very different but just as suspenseful show – in fact, “Homeland” is based on “Prisoners of War.” In this show, two captured soldiers are released from Lebanon, to the delight of their family and the country, which embraces them and tries to help them recover from the trauma of 17 years in captivity. But when their stories don’t really match, things get complicated – and make for some really outstanding television.

 

Srugim (Amazon Prime) 

I like to say “Srugim” is like the religious version of “Friends” – if the show took place in Jerusalem and was actually good (sorry, I’m a “Friends” hater).

This delightful drama, which is three seasons long, explores the dating lives of observant singles, the complexities of wanting both to date and be deliberate about life, and the pressing need and pressure to get married from your family and, you know, the world.

 

Mossad 101 (Netflix)

This show’s first season is melodramatic and hilarious in the best of ways. Focusing on a group of people training to become Mossad agents, this show features comedian Hana Laszlo – who you may know as Menukha Kenigsberg in “Shtisel” – as an aspiring agent at the prestigious and secretive intelligence agency. Its second and last season takes itself perhaps too seriously but is still highly worth the watch.

 

Mekimi (Amazon Prime) 

This show is based on an autobiographical story of the same title written by Noa Yaron-Dayan, a former TV and radio personality who joined the Breslov Hasidic sect. In the series, Alma falls in love with Ben, who, in turn, slowly falls in love with religion. Is there room for all three in this love triangle? This short series really tugs at the heartstrings.

 

Fauda (Netflix)

This series has everything going for it. With both Palestinian and Jewish fans, the drama, which has two seasons so far, was created by and stars Lior Raz, and is loosely based on his army experiences in the Duvdevani Unit, known for its covert operations. It’s about secret agents, targeted killings, suicide bombings and so much more, but it explores these topics with depth and sensitivity.

 

Juda (Hulu)

This vampire show is coming to Hulu soon and I really can’t wait. I’ve watched the first two episodes, which are available to stream (quite legally) in Hebrew through the Hot YouTube page, and I can say that it is just a fun, campy and dramatic vampire show – and, I mean, it’s been a while since “True Blood” ended. This show, which was created by and stars Israeli comedian and musician Tzion Baruch, is a sort of dramatic comedy. There’s nothing like a vampire show that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Plus, it’s the first ever Jewish vampire drama and it is super Jew-y (it takes Juda eight days to fully unleash his power. Get it? Eight days?)

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