Israel’s Reshet 13 is hooked up to “Mud and Coal,” chosen for Sequence Mania’s Discussion board Co-Professional Pitching Periods.
The eight-episode thriller focuses on a Mossad murderer, Esther, whose world collapses when her father reveals to her that she is, the truth is, a Syrian sleeper spy. Planted in Israel as a toddler, as a part of a KGB program, her activation time has come.
Produced by Ronen Ben Tal for Bental Productions Ltd and France’s Morgane Le Moine for First Love, the present was created by Ben Tal, Ron Ninio – who may also direct – Eleanor Sela and Ofer Seker, co-creator of “Uri and Ella”, now airing on HBO Max.
“It’s a darkish, lifelike psychological drama. The spy area is simply an excuse to discover complicated household dynamics and our most important character’s journey of emancipation,” says Ben Tal, additionally promising an perception into the “backstage” of spy missions in Israel.
“The present can be largely about psychological video games, however we’re planning large motion sequences in Europe and Syria as nicely. We’re searching for worldwide companions, so it will outline the dimensions.”
Up to now, Ben Tal additionally produced “The Bubble” by Eytan Fox and Avishai Sivan’s “Tikkun.”
As teased by its makers, the present will discover the themes of id, loyalty and particular person freedom. Esther, a double agent towards her will, will slowly start the method of loosening her father’s “patriarchal grip.” In addition to her husband’s, the deputy head of the Mossad, harboring secrets and techniques of his personal.
“Later within the season, when she discovers that her husband knew the reality about her and hid it from her, she realizes that from right here on she should set out on an unbiased and free path. This can translate into [concrete] choices and actions,” he provides, with Ninio chiming in: “She’s going to cease oscillating between these two forces and grow to be lively in organising her personal ‘masterplan.’ She may also enable herself to focus extra on her wants and needs as an alternative of all the time defending her husband and her father.”
As promised by Ninio, additionally behind worldwide hit and 2017 Sequence Mania winner “Your Honor,” nothing can be black and white within the present.
“There are many suspicions and concealments on this relationship triangle between the protagonist, her husband and her father. Together with that, [there is] plenty of love and feelings,” he provides.
Producer Morgane Le Moine – whose firm is known as after Sequence Mania’s 2018 quick type winner “First Love” – additionally teases the present’s worldwide enchantment.
“All through the season, we are going to see how the seeds of at this time’s world geopolitical scenario had been planted within the Center East again within the 2000s. For years, Russia has been utilizing Syria as a laboratory [for testing] strategies that at the moment are utilized by Putin in his warfare towards Ukraine. The function of Europe has been, and nonetheless is, key.”
However in the end, the sequence’ complicated emotional layers spoke to Le Moine probably the most.
“Other than ‘Mud and Coal’s potential to grow to be an entertaining spy present, filled with motion and stress, what attracted me to this mission was the truth that it’s, in the beginning, a psychological drama a few girl who discovers that her complete life has been determined by others,” she says.
“It’s an emancipation story and I associated to it in so some ways. I’m certain many individuals will too.”
