Israel has produced some extraordinary media over the years, from cult classics to the occasional foreign-language Oscar nominee. But did you know that some of your favorite American shows are actually Israeli in origin? In this list, we’ll explore a few examples of series that reinvented themselves, yet remain rooted in blue and white כחול-לבן – a term often used to describe Israeli-made creations.

Euphoria 

Euphoria originally aired in Israel in 2012. It had only one season, and like its American counterpart of the same name, it depicted millennial teenagers spending their time engaging in illicit activities. The original show was written by Ron Leshem and Dafna Levin, and notably produced by Tmira Yardeni, a powerhouse in Israeli media and the head of Teddy Productions, responsible for classics like Our Song השיר שלנו (hah-sheer sheh-lah-noo) and Comedy Store.

The Israeli version of Euphoria starred singer-turned-actress Roni Dalumi, who won the 7th season of A Star is Born, the Israeli version of American Idol. Euphoria was sold to HBO in 2017, and writer Sam Levinson adapted it for American audiences. The raunchy high school setting, mixed with Gen Z aesthetics, helped turn the show into the cultural phenomenon it remains today, alongside standout performances from Zendaya and Sydney Sweeney, who both shine as troubled teenagers navigating a selfish and unforgiving world.

Homeland 

The purchase of Homeland by HBO was one of those moments of Israeli pride I vividly remember. The American show quickly became a true “water cooler” moment when it first aired, and for those first few years, it was impossible to avoid the faces of its stars, Claire Danes and Mandy Patinkin.

The Israeli series it’s based on is called Hostages חטופים (chah-too-feem). It first aired in Israel in 2010 and had only two seasons, but received widespread praise from critics and audiences alike. The American version, however, ran for eight seasons, concluding in 2020. Notably, the original creator, Gideon Raff, also served as an executive producer on the American adaptation.

In December 2019, The New York Times ranked Hostages first on its list of the best international TV shows of the decade. The series is often credited with helping pave the way for the global success of Israeli television, opening the door for many more adaptations around the world.

In Treatment  

In Treatment בטיפול (beh-tee-pool) is an Israeli television drama and winner of the Israeli Television Academy Award. It revolves around the personal and professional life of Israeli psychologist Reuven Dagan, played by the legendary actor Assi Dayan. The series follows him treating patients in his clinic throughout the week, while seeking therapy himself – creating an intimate look at both therapist and patient.

Following its massive success in Israel, the show was adapted by HBO. The American version of the same name closely follows the original format, with scripts and even dialogue often serving as verbatim translations. The format proved so effective that it has since been adapted in numerous countries, including Argentina, France, and Japan.

Assi Dayan, who passed away before the age of seventy in 2014, was part of the iconic Dayan family. His father, Moshe Dayan, was a famed Israeli military figure and politician, and his son, Lior Dayan, is a writer and actor. His cousin is writer Yehonatan Geffen, the father of singer Aviv Geffen. One might argue that Assi Dayan’s family might be the most iconic cultural dynasty in Israel. Beyond the excellent writing and production, Assi Dayan’s performance truly stands out and is a major reason the show took off and became the global hit that it did.

Honorable mentions

These include Your Honor כבודו (kvoh-doh), adapted by Showtime under the same name, starring Bryan Cranston as a judge caught in a moral spiral after his son is involved in a hit-and-run. Another show is Yellow Peppers פלפלים צהובים (peel-peh-leem tseh-hoo-beem), which became The A Word, a British family drama about raising a child on the autism spectrum. 

Together, these adaptations highlight just how diverse Israeli television formats are, and how human-driven stories always transcend borders. For a country of ten million people, making it onto the world’s biggest screens is something that still amazes us and fills our hearts with enormous pride.