From Homeland to Holyland: Claire Danes to Star in Netflix Remake of Israeli Hit 'Lovesick'
Netflix acquires Keshet 12’s "Lovesick" for a major U.S. remake starring Claire Danes. From the creator of "The Affair," this intense medical drama follows a surgeon battling cancer and her unexpected romance with a high-profile patient.
Netflix announced that it has acquired the rights to the Israeli drama series Holi Ahava (Lovesick) for an American remake. The deal marks a major international milestone for Keshet 12, roughly two years after the original series became a commercial hit in Israel.
The remake, titled Lovesick, will feature Emmy and Golden Globe winner Claire Danes (Homeland, Fleishman Is in Trouble) in the lead role. Danes will step into the shoes of Dr. Amalia Levy, the character originally portrayed by Ayelet Zurer.
The Creative Powerhouse Behind the Remake
The series will be helmed by showrunner Sarah Treem, the Golden Globe-winning creator of The Affair and a writer for House of Cards. The production is a collaboration between Universal Television and Keshet Studios, the U.S.-based production arm of Keshet International.
Executive producers from Keshet include Avi Nir and Keren Shahar. The original Israeli format was created by Rona Tamir, Tal Granit, and Sharon Maymon, and produced by Spiro Films.
The Storyline
The plot follows a highly successful breast surgeon who receives a life-altering cancer diagnosis. Her life becomes inextricably and unexpectedly entwined with that of a promising politician who becomes her patient, sparking an intense and unforeseen romance.
While the casting for the male lead, originally played by Amos Tamam in the Israeli version, has not yet been announced, the project was reportedly the subject of a competitive bidding war between several international platforms before landing at Netflix.