NBC Adapting Israeli Drama 'Pillars of Smoke'

NBC has picked up the rights to Israeli drama Pillars of Smoke.

The drama, which is heading into its second season in Israel, is a mystery set in the rural Golan Heights area of Israel that follows the police investigation into the disappearance of a cult form the area.

Parts Twin Peaks, Northern Exposure and Lost, the NBC project joins a growing list of U.S. scripted fare based on Israeli franchises that includes Showtime’s upcoming Clarie Danes thriller Homeland.

Samantha Who’s Peter Traugott is on board to executive produce the project, with NBC and Universal Media Studios currently searching for a writer to adapt the series.

Noah Stollman and Oded Davidoff created the Israeli project. Rachel Kaplan will executive produce alongside Alon Aranya, who pitched the series -- owned by Herzlia Studios and Hot cable company -- stateside.

Other recent Israeli imports include Fox’s Traffic Light and HBO’s In Treatment, which HBO canceled in March after three seasons.

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