Ron Leshem signs French-UK TV deal

A new television series from Israeli writing wunderkind Ron Leshem will be developed by Keshet UK, the London arm of Israel-based international media house Keshet International, and French production house Atlantique Productions, Variety reported Monday.

The series, “Crater Lake,” has been described by producers as a “life-affirming, character-driven show about death.”

Leshem, a screenwriter, novelist and television executive, is no stranger to heavy fare. His Israeli spy drama, “The Gordin Cell/MICE,” was picked up this year by US network NBC and is being remade for American audiences under the title “Allegiance.”

The Tel Aviv native is the author of “Beaufort,” a stirring novel about Israeli troops in Lebanon, for which he won the Sapir Prize, Israel’s top literary honor. He co-wrote the script for that book’s film adaptation, also called “Beaufort,” which was nominated for an Academy Award.

As a television executive, Leshem was one of the driving forces behind some of Israel’s best-loved television series, including “Arab Labor,” “Traffic Light,” and “Prisoners of War,” the predecessor of “Homeland.”

Should “Crater Lake” succeed, it will add another notch to the belt of Keshet International’s roster of hits, which include the reality singing competition “Rising Star,” “The A Word,” and “Deal With It.”