German scripted production company Keshet Germany has been commissioned by JOYN to produce the first local adaptation of Keshet’s comedy "Messiah (Mashiach)," an Israeli format distributed globally by Keshet International. Based on the series created by L. Benasuly Productions, Dana Pollig, and Udi Kagan that aired on Keshet 12 and Cellcom, "Messiah" is a scripted situation comedy centering on a one-hit-wonder stuck in his 90s moment of success, now running his mother’s former restaurant, with dreams of relaunching his music career and climbing back to the top of the charts.
Developed and produced for ProSiebenSat.1's streaming platform JOYN by Keshet Germany, KI’s German scripted production company, "Messiah (8x25’)" is written by Sebastian Colley ("Kroymann," "How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast)") and directed by Felix Stienz ("Merz Gegen Merz," "Unter Freunden stirbt man nicht (You Don’t Die Among Friends)"). Florian Lukas stars as Messiah; alongside Johanna Gastdorf ("Never Look Away," "Sophie Scholl: The Final Days") as Bettina, Messiah’s mom; Jonas Nay ("The Tattooist of Auschwitz," "Intimate") as Leon, Messiah’s manager and friend; Banafshe Hourmazdi ("Loving Her," "Tatort") as Nadine, cook at Esstasy; and Lukas von Horbatschewsky ("Pauline," "Intimate") as Arif, employee at Esstasy. The eight-part comedy-drama is produced by Tina Hechinger, Christina Christ, and Axel Kühn, alongside consulting producers Avi Nir (Keshet Media Group), Dana Pollig, Udi Kagan, and Liat Benasuly. Filming begins in Prague this week, with "Messiah" slated to premiere on JOYN in 2025.
In Keshet Germany’s 8x25’ adaptation for ProSiebenSat.1's streaming platform, the 5th of July 1995 is the most important day in Thomas Janowski's life. It's the day his Eurodance anthem "XTC" outperformed Culture Beat’s "Mr. Vain" and reached the top of the German charts. Suddenly everything seems possible: Money. Fame. A big career. Thomas – played by Florian Lukas ("From Hilde with Love," "Die Wespe") – has achieved his dreams. He's a star. He is "Messiah." Now, 29 years later, Messiah is still here, but he is no longer on stage at "Top of the Pops." Instead, he’s performing in his own themed restaurant in Berlin, singing his one and only hit single—more than once every evening, in front of a handful of customers... and his mother. Taunted by the success of his former peers—in his mind, still his rivals—he hatches plot after plot to try to climb his way back into the headlines.
Thomas Münzner, Head of Program at JOYN indicated that the title is ideal for the company: ‘Funny, emotional, retro, and colorful. This is our 'Messiah'– and that's exactly why it's such a good fit for JOYN! How could we not adapt this series for the German market on the ProSiebenSat.1 streaming platform", commented.
Meanwhile, Christina Christ, co-MD of Keshet Germany, provided some historical context, ‘We chose to give our 'Messiah' a hit single in the mid-1990s because the Eurodance music scene brings so much personality, energy and color with it. We can’t wait to share Messiah’s story – and our star-studded show filled with recognizable cameos from bona fide 90s pop stars – with the German audience!," stated.
Finally, Kelly Wright, KI’s MD of Distribution, highlighted the potential for international sales: ‘We are so thrilled to see this comedy format being developed and produced outside of Israel for the very first time by our own Keshet Germany. Every territory has its unique music scene, and Keshet Germany and Sebastian Colley have nailed Germany's 90s Eurodance movement and Messiah's moment in the sun. They have created an engaging comedy about characters living on the margins but dreaming big. We're looking forward to sharing both the Israeli format and the German production 'Messiah"'with buyers around the world," she added.