Israel’s Sirens set for Russian remake

Sirens originated on Hot 3 in Israel

Israeli producer and distributor ADD Content has licensed the format of drama series Sirens to Russia’s Channel One, which will air a local version later this year.

Sirens was originally created by Shahar Magen and Adam Sanderson and produced by July August for Israeli cablenet Hot 3, which is preparing to air its third season soon.

Produced by AMedia Production and Sreda Production Company, the Russian adaptation will be directed by Sasha Kiriyenko from a script by Maria Saprykina, Alexander Topuria and Irina Zui. Its producers include UK-based billionaire Leonard Blavatnik plus Nelly Yaralova and Alexander Tsekalo.

The original Sirens was picked up by Globosat in Brazil and Altice in France, while last month Viacom-owned Channel 5 in the UK agreed a deal to air the first two seasons with English subtitles.

Sirens is a mystery thriller telling the story of a police officer investigating the murder of her younger sister. In the Russian adaptation, the action will take place in the Black Sea resort of Tuapse, where a cop finds the body of her twin sister in Lake Abrau.

“We have a strong creative partnership on this show with AMedia Production, Sreda and Channel One – it’s great to see another great Hot show travelling beyond the domestic market,” said Hadas Mozes Lichtenstein, founder and head of international at ADD Content.

Marina Sidorova, CEO of AMedia Production, added: “Israeli dramas are very popular worldwide and, as the genre’s creative approach is really amazing, it’s no wonder lots of major companies all over the world have been successfully remaking them.”

Other recent remakes of Israeli drama include The A Word, which UK pubcaster the BBC adapted from Keshet series Yellow Peppers.