36: Itzik Cohen and Lior Raz: Fauda, Israel's latest Netflix smash hit
Israel is fast emerging as a hub for international TV drama. Netflix is syndicating a host of Israeli hit series’ across 192 countries. It was unthinkable even five years ago that Israel would be adding cultural ‘soft power’ to its already established high-tech and other global successes. Fauda was thought just to be of interest to an Israeli audience. Originally only in Hebrew and Arabic, it's the story of the IDF's special units which go behind enemy lines to combat terror and rescue hostages. Among the mainstays of all three series so far is co-creator and lead, Lior Raz who plays Doron Kabbilio (and other undercover aliases) and his Shin Bet commander, Itzik Cohen, the long suffering Captain Gabi Ayub. I caught up with Itzik, locked down in Tel Aviv, who explained with great passion the role of the actor in such a realistic show. Lior Raz comes courtesy of Roger Bennett of Men In Blazers. Thanks and Courage, Roger.