HBO preps Israeli, Baldwin duo

US premium cablenet HBO is developing its own version of an Israeli psychological drama as well as a scripted series set to star 30 Rock’s Alec Baldwin.

30 Rock

Wish is based on the Israeli show Beit Ha’Mishalot (House of Wishes), which aired on Channel 1 in the country, and follows the choices made by people given the opportunity to relive one of their life experiences. It is being developed by CBS Television Studios, with Merrit Johnson writing the US version.

Johnson, who previously worked on In Treatment, the US version of fellow Israeli show In Therapy, will also exec produce, alongside Doug Ellin (Entourage) and Haim Bouzaglo, creator of the original series.

Meanwhile, Baldwin will star in an as-yet-untitled series being produced by Universal Television and his own prodco El Dorado Pictures.

The show, about a billionaire property developer who becomes mayor of New York City, will be exec produced with Cary Brokaw and its writer Wells Tower.