Changes in the cast of the drama series 'Shtisel', which follows the adventures of the ultra-Orthodox Shtisel family living in Jerusalem: Ayelet Zorer (widow Elisheva Rothstein), who was recently cast in a Hollywood film and a television series, is leaving the series due to her schedule, and will be replaced by Ophir Award winner Hadas Yaron. This was reported by Ran Booker on Ynet.
This won't be the first time Shiron will play an ultra-Orthodox character: 24-year-old Yaron played in the film ''Fill the space''of theDirector theHaredi Rama Burstein, in which she played the character of Shira Mandelman, a member of a respected Haredi Hasidic family. For her role in the film, she won the Best Actress award at the Venice Film Festival two years ago and the Ophir Award for the same role.
In 'Shtisel' she will play Libi - a girl who enters the life of Akiva, who is played by Michael Aloni.
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Another innovation will also be in the editor's department: journalist, writer and creator of the series 'Arab Work' Sayed Kashua will replace Yossi Madmoni and edit the next season of 'Shtisel'.'
'Shtisel' was created by Uri Alon, son of former minister Benny Alon, and Yonatan Indorsky, a former student of the Ponivez Yeshiva, and is directed by Alon Zigman.
Filming for the second season of the drama series, which airs on Yes, will begin next month. The second season will air in 2015.
Series producer Dikla Barkai said: "It is a great honor for us to work with one of the most important and original creators in Israel. The special connection between an Arab-Israeli creator and a drama about an ultra-Orthodox family from his unique perspective fits the spirit of 'Shtisel'.".
One person who didn't like the casting was journalist Orit Navon from the 'Mako' website, who wrote on her Facebook page:
""Sayed Kashua will be the editor-in-chief of the second season of 'Shtisel,' which is like the creator of 'Srougim' being in charge of the next season of 'Arab Work.'".
""What's the point of a drama that deals with the Haredi public? What does he know about Haredim, about Haredi culture, about the conflicts that this lifestyle causes? And how much empathy can he muster towards the characters, if in the columns he has published in the past there appear cartoons that present the Haredim with a mockery that recalls dark periods in history?"
""And just to be clear: In my opinion, Sayed Kashua is an extremely talented creator. Also, I am against the exclusion of Arabs, against racism, against darkness. But in my opinion, there should be some connection between the editor and the content of the product, I am very sorry.".
