Global producer and distributor, Fremantle, Israel’s international streaming service, IZZY, Abot Hameiri (a Fremantle company) and YES have announced a major partnership for the new drama series, “Kugel.” The deal will see the spin-off of the award-winning series “Shtisel” launch on global streaming platform IZZY in early 2025, taking the series far and wide to loyal fans all over the world who have been eagerly awaiting the return of father and daughter, Nuchem (Sasson Gabai) and Libi Shtisel’s (Hadas Yaron), story.
The deal was brokered by Fremantle’s Lisa Honig, Senior EVP Distribution North America and Jamie Lynn, EVP Co-Production and Distribution EMEA, and Nati Dinnar, CEO Israel Media Group. Written and directed by “Shtisel” co-creator, Yehonatan Indursky, “Kugel” is a Fremantle, Abot Hameiri and Menuetto Film production. The commissioning broadcaster is YES (Israel). Fremantle handles global sales.
Years before her future husband, Akiva Shtisel, was even a twinkle in Libi’s eyes, she lived in Antwerp, Belgium with her father, Nuchem.
Nuchem is a charming jewellery dealer, unafraid of bending the rules to make a sale. But when his wife Yides (Mili Avital) finally tires of his swindling and says she wants a divorce, their family life is thrown into disarray - Nuchem spends his days trying to save his marriage and achieve his dream of one day being a mogul, and his nights courting Pnina Baumbach, a recently-widowed woman who inherited a restaurant that specializes in fine Jerusalem-style noodle kugels. Throughout the series, Nuchem must learn to balance his ambition in business alongside the needs of the three women in his life.
In light of her parents’ crumbling partnership, and despite her age (22), Libi is yet to find a suitable match. Instead she devotes all of her energy and resources to becoming a successful writer. But then, a chance encounter with an orthodox man on the Antwerp tram throws a wrench into her plans. Libi must decide whether the path to success for her lies in marriage, love, or pursuing her dream of being an author.
Told with the same authenticity, humour and delight that made Shtisel a worldwide hit, Kugel follows the pair as they navigate hijinks and heartbreak in Europe’s ultra-Orthodox community. The series celebrates how every person is as complex, individual, surprising, and addictive as a slice of delicious kugel.
Jens Richter, CEO Commercial and International, Fremantle, said: “We are proud to be working with our formidable partners in IZZY, Abot Hameiri and YES to take this beautiful series to audiences worldwide. The response to Shtisel has been huge, capturing the imagination of millions of loyal fans. ‘Kugel’ follows a rich, warm, and compelling sequence of love triangles, broken promises and misunderstandings, told with humour, compassion and uncompromising humanity. I couldn’t be more thrilled to share another chapter of Nuchem and Libi’s story.”
Nati Dinnar, Co-Founder & CEO, IZZY, added: “As a streaming platform, we understand the transformative power of an original, exclusive drama, and we’ve been dreaming of this moment for a long time. But even in my wildest dreams, I couldn’t have imagined partnering with such an incredible team on the most beloved TV brand to come out of Israel - ‘Shtisel.’ Since acquiring all three seasons of Shtisel on IZZY, we’ve been eagerly awaiting this day. With millions of die-hard fans of the series, we’re confident they will join IZZY to experience ‘Kugel,’ rediscover ‘Shtisel,’ and explore even more exceptional stories from Israel’s storytellers. By doing so, they’ll not only enjoy world-class content but also support Israel in sharing its vibrant storytelling with the world.”
Dikla Barkai, Head of Drama at Abot Hameiri and Executive Producer of “Kugel,” commented: “‘Kugel’ is a prequel to ‘Shtisel,’ created thanks to the immense love audiences have for the original series. With IZZY's partnership, the show can now return to the hearts of its passionate fans - there's nothing more exciting for us."
Keren Gleicher, Chief Content Officer at yestv, mentioned: "We are thrilled that ‘Kugel’ - the new prequel of our wonderful national treasure tv series ‘Shtisel’ - will warm the hearts of audiences worldwide."
“Kugel” (8x60’) is written by co-creator and writer of “Shtisel,” Yehonatan Indursky, directed by Erez Kavel and produced by Fremantle, Abot Hameiri (a Fremantle company) and Menuetto Film. Executive Producers are Dikla Barkai, Guy Hameiri and Eitan Abot for Abot Hameiri, Hattie Burles, Olivia Sleiter and Hilary Martin for Fremantle, Jay Ruderman for Boston Rose, Dganit Atias Gigi and Uzi Karin for YES.
The series was commissioned by Israeli Network, YES, who were also the original commissioners of the “Shtisel” series in Israel. “Kugel” is supported by Screen Flanders and the Belgian tax shelter, in collaboration with BNP Paribas Fortis Film Finance. Fremantle handles global sales.
“Shtisel” launched in 2013 on YES and ran for three seasons, fast becoming a world-wide phenomenon as it followed the lives of the extended “Shtisel” family - a warm, closely-knit, and argumentative ultra-Orthodox family in Jerusalem. It has been saluted for providing a unique insight into daily lives and loves, positively portraying Haredi society. The series, which scored 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and was praised as “groundbreaking television” by the New York Times, won 11 awards at the Israeli Television Academy Awards in 2013 and again in 2015 taking home six awards.
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