Paramount takes Israeli adaptation to series

Charlie Golf One is being adapted as 68 Whiskey

Paramount Network in the US has ordered 10 one-hour episodes of a scripted series based on an Israeli dark comedy from Imagine Television Studios and CBS Television Studios.

Adapted from Charlie Golf One, 68 Whiskey joins the network’s growing scripted slate, which also includes original series Yellowstone and Emily in Paris, and will be executive produced by Oscar winners Brian Grazer and Ron Howard.

It follows a multicultural mix of men and women deployed as army medics to a base in Afghanistan nicknamed ‘The Orphanage.’

Together, they endure a dangerous and Kafka-esque world that leads to self-destructive appetites, outrageous behaviour, intense camaraderie and, occasionally, a profound sense of purpose, the producers said.

Viacom-owned Paramount ordered a pilot based on the Israeli show last year.

It will also be executive produced by Imagine Television Group chairman Francie Calfo (Empire, Genius) and president Samie Kim Falvey alongside Emmy-nominated Roberto Benabib (Weeds, The Brink, Ally McBeal), who is also set to write.

Zion Rubin, the creator of Charlie Golf One, will also executive produce, along with Efrat Shmaya Dror (United Studios of Israel) and Danna Stern (Yes Studios).

“I’m a huge fan of the Israeli series on which this series is based, and the unique mixture of drama and comedy infused throughout,” said Keith Cox, president of development and production at Paramount Network and TV Land.

CBS Television Studios president David Stapf said the show was an example of how the company is “expanding its reach far beyond the broadcast construct.” The show marks its first original series for Paramount Network.