Prisoner X drama in development

A drama series based on the extraordinary true story of Mossad recruit Ben Zygier, also known as Prisoner X, is in development with Fremantle Australia, Fremantle-owned Israeli production company Abot Hameiri and Stephen Corvini’s Live Wires Productions.

Ben Zygier was an Australian-Israeli citizen who was a veteran of the Israel Defense Forces, imprisoned in Israel and who died in custody in 2010. His story was uncovered by Foreign Correspondent journalist Trevor Bormann, who is part of the development team.

The series will follow Ben’s journey from suburban Melbourne to the Israeli Defence Force, before joining the world’s most feared intelligence agency. The character-driven eight-part spy thriller will traverse Ben’s career and explore his dreams of heroism – dreams which tragically disintegrated when he was imprisoned and stripped of his identity.

Screenwriter Giula Sandler (White House Farm, Glitch, Bloom, Nowhere Boys) is attached as lead writer. Stephen Corvini (pictured) whose other credits include Safe Harbour, Hungry Ghosts, and Secret City 2: Under the Eagle is Executive Producer.

“Prisoner X is a story without peer that I’ve been waiting to bring to the world for some time. Now with Fremantle and Abot Hameiri as production partners I know we’ll be able to tell this extraordinary story with the expertise, talent and support it requires, and above all humanity,” Corvini said.

Chris Oliver-Taylor, Fremantle CEO Asia Pacific, said: “We are thrilled to work with our friends Abot Hameiri and Stephen Corvini on this groundbreaking story. Coupled with Giula Sander writing and the man who broke the story in Australia, Trevor Bormann, as part of the development team, Prisoner X is a thrilling and nuanced character drama, and it’s the perfect project for an Australia-Israel co-production.”

Guy Hameiri, CEO Abot Hameiri, said: “Abot Hameiri is excited to join forces with our friends from Fremantle Australia, and with Stephen Corvini and Giula Sandler. We look forward to working together on bringing this fascinating story to life, as it is an amazing and important story to tell.”

Chris Oliver-Taylor (Fremantle), Stephen Corvini (Live Wires Productions) and Guy Hameiri (Abot Hameiri) are Executive Producers. Prisoner X will be filmed in Australia and Israel in 2022. Fremantle will be handling global distribution.

An Australian broadcaster is yet to be announced.