Shtisel, the Israeli drama about an ultra-Orthodox family that became an unlikely global hit, is getting a spin-off.
Shtisel producers Abot Hameiri are teaming with Israeli’s Yes network and streamer IZZY to deliver Kugel, the next chapter in the lives of father-daughter duo Nuchem and Libi Shtisel, played by Sasson Gabai and Hadas Yaron. Kugel will move the action from Israel to 1990s Antwerp, Belgium, exploring Nuchem’s life as a jewelry dealer and Libi’s ambitions to pursue a career as a writer while navigating the complexities of family, faith, and love.
The eight-episode series, written by Shtisel co-creator Yehonatan Indursky and directed by Erez Kavel, will premiere on IZZY in early 2025. The series is being co-produced as a collaboration between Abot Hameiri, parent company Fremantle, and Menuetto Film. Fremantle is selling the show internationally.
Created and written by Indursky and Ori Elon, Shtisel originally aired on Yes in 2013 and took off internationally after being bought by Netflix in 2018. The show ran for three seasons, ending in 2021. The contract between Yes and Netflix ended in 2023 and the series was pulled from the platform but sold to multiple networks and streamers worldwide, including on IZZY in Israel.
“Since acquiring all three seasons of Shtisel on IZZY, we’ve been eagerly awaiting this day,” said IZZY CEO and co-founder Nati Dinnar, of the spin-off. “With millions of die-hard fans of [Shtisel], we’re confident they will join IZZY to experience Kugel, rediscover Shtisel, and explore even more exceptional stories from Israel’s storytellers.”
Lisa Honig, Senior EVP Distribution North America at Fremantle, brokered the deal alongside Jamie Lynn, EVP Co-Production and Distribution EMEA, and Nati Dinnar, CEO of Israel Media Group.
The creative team for Kugel includes executive producers Dikla Barkai, Guy Hameiri, and Eitan Abot for Abot Hameiri, along with Hattie Burles, Olivia Sleiter, and Hilary Martin for Fremantle. Jay Ruderman for Boston Rose, Dganit Atias Gigi, and Uzi Karin for YES are also part of the production team.
Source: Hollywoodreporter
