27th Feb 2024
Keshet 12 reorders Kuma Studios' relationship drama A BODY THAT WORKS
Israel’s highest-rating drama of 2023 has been licensed by Keshet International in 92 territories to date; with local remakes in the pipeline
Keshet Broadcasting has ordered a second season of Israel’s highest-rating drama of 2023 A Body That Works (Goof Shlishi) from Kuma Studios for Keshet 12.
Co-created by Shira Hadad (Wisdom of the Crowd, Preso No. 1), Dror Mishani (Wisdom of the Crowd, The Missing File), and Shay Capon (The Writer, Dumb), the award-winning eight-part relationship drama stars Rotem Sela (The Baker and the Beauty) and Yehuda Levi (Fire Dance) as a childless couple who enlist the help of a surrogate (Gal Malka), alongside love interest Lior Raz (Fauda).
Picking up where this first season left off – with the now-separated Ido (Yehuda Levi) and Ellie (Rotem Sela) successfully co-parenting their son, following his birth by surrogate Chen (Gal Malka) - this second 6x60’ season will reunite the original line-up, including all four internationally-recognized Israeli stars. Relationships and love will once again be at the center of this new season, in which Ido and Ellie struggle with the question of whether to bring another child into the world together. Season two of A Body That Works (Goof Shlishi) will again be directed by Shay Capon, with Shira Margalit and Elad Koperman together executive producing the six-part drama for Kuma Studios.
Karni Ziv, Head of Drama and Comedy at Keshet Broadcasting, says, “I am so happy to be bringing this touching relationship drama about parenthood back to Keshet 12 screens with the help of Kuma Studios. Shira, Dror, and Shay’s original series of A Body That Works captivated Israeli hearts because it is steeped in love and imbued with a human touch, and its witty, fast-paced rhythm kept them entertained to the end. It is early days, but season two is looking even better!”
Kelly Wright, Keshet International’s MD of Distribution, says, “We are thrilled to be announcing this reorder a year after we originally launched A Body That Works to buyers at last year’s London TV Screenings. Charting one couple’s captivating journey to parenthood, this beautifully crafted series had all of Israel buzzing with each new episode, and like everyone else, I can’t wait to find out what happens next!”
Kuma Studios’ critically acclaimed first 8x60’ season of A Body That Works (Goof Shlishi) stimulated national debate in Israel about fertility, family, and the autonomy of women’s bodies when it premiered on Keshet 12 in February 2023, bucking decades of viewing trends to build viewership throughout its run and thereby cement its position as Israel’s #1 rating drama of 2023.
A Body That Works (Goof Shlishi) was also selected in competition at Series Mania 2023, where Rotem Sela and Gal Malka (Commandments) together both won Best Actress for their portrayals of childless Ellie and surrogate Chen.
Keshet International has since sold the award-winning drama in 92 territories across Europe, Latin America, the US, Canada, and Australia to date, completing license agreements with Netflix, AMC Networks International, CBC, and SBS, as announced on 15 February 2024. A Body That Works is currently being developed for the UK and global markets by Keshet UK, with other options in discussion in multiple territories elsewhere.
Other titles in KI’s current pipeline of dramas from Israel includes Spiro Films’ romantic drama The Best Worst Thing which premiered in Israel on 19 February on Keshet 12 with a rating of 16.2% and a share of 25.6%; Shenhar Productions’ hotly anticipated thriller Trust No One (9x60’), recently sold to Netflix; and Koda Communications’ second season of crime drama Line in the Sand (8x60’).
Keshet 12’s upcoming pipeline of Israeli dramas features shows at various stages of production and post-production, with more news to be announced to buyers at the 2024 London TV Screenings, where Keshet International will preview its new Spring Slate – including the six-part action thriller Conflict; and the premium documentary series Earthbound narrated and EPed by Orlando Bloom - at two invite-only showcase events hosted on 28 February at the Soho Hotel.