5 Israeli series to watch
The small country's TV output is impressive. Major streaming platforms have picked up some of the best Israeli productions. Here are five hit series you should check out.
Fauda
The first ever Israeli series to be picked up as a "Netflix Original," this political thriller shows both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, following a close-knit group of Israeli operatives working undercover in pursuit of a Hamas terrorist. Action-packed and morally ambiguous, the first two seasons are available to stream on Netflix.
When Heroes Fly
Four veterans of the Second Lebanon War reunite after 11 years for one last mission: an attempt to find Yaeli, the sister of one of the men and lover of another. Loosely based on the best-selling novel by Amir Gutfreund, the series is part action thriller, part examination of the long-lasting trauma of war. Watch on Netflix.
Shtisel
"Shtisel" first aired in Israel in 2013 but, thanks to Netflix, the show is now available worldwide. A touching family drama about a young bachelor looking for love within the strict rules of Orthodox religious observance, it's both heartwarming and often very, very funny.
Srugim
Dubbed the Israeli "Friends," this comedy series follows a group of six single Orthodox young people trying to balance modern live with traditional observance. The first three seasons of the series are now available for streaming on Amazon Prime.
Prisoners of War
The series that inspired "Homeland" and started the global Israeli television boom, "Prisoners of War" (Hatufim) is more personal and intimate than the US series, putting the focus less on action than on personal drama, on the impact of terrorism and espionage on the ordinary people caught in the middle.