Israeli producer Dana Eden, co-producer of Tehran, found dead in Athens
Israeli producer Dana Eden, co-creator of the Emmy-winning Tehran, died suddenly in Athens. His death raises questions amid the ongoing shooting of the show’s fourth season.
Israeli producer Dana Eden, best known for co-creating the Emmy-winning spy thriller tehranThere has been a sudden death in Greece, Israeli public broadcaster KAN said on Monday.
Eden, 52, was found dead in a hotel in the Greek capital Athens, a Greek police official said, adding that initial indications suggested he took his own life and there was no suspicion of foul play. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because Greek police do not comment publicly on such cases.
KAN said Eden was in Greece filming the fourth season of the hit series.
“Dana was one of the leading figures in Israel’s television industry and played a central role in the creation and leadership of some of the most prominent and influential productions within the corporation,” KAN said in a statement. The cause of death was not mentioned in this.
“His professional work, unwavering dedication and love for creation left a deep impression on the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation. KAAN joins his family, friends and colleagues in deep sorrow,” the broadcaster said.
In a statement posted on their Facebook page, Eden’s production company, Donna and Shula Productions, tried to dispel rumors that the producer was murdered.
It added, “The production company wishes to clarify that rumors of a criminal or nationally motivated death are false and baseless.”
The production company said, “This is a moment of great sadness for family, friends and colleagues. We ask that Dana’s dignity and the privacy of her loved ones be respected.”
Israel’s Minister of Culture and Sports Mickey Zohar said in a social media post on Twitter that he received the news of Eden’s death “with great sadness”, calling him “one of the most prominent and influential producers in the Israeli television industry.”
Zohar said, “Dana left a deep mark on Israeli creativity and brought our story to the international stage with pride, talent and courage.”
tehranwhich premiered in Israel and on Apple TV in 2020, tells the story of Tamar Rabinyan, a young Mossad operative who is tasked with hacking and disabling an Iranian nuclear reactor so Israeli forces can launch an airstrike. The show was awarded Best Drama Series at the 49th International Emmy Awards in November 2021.
Eden began working in TV production in Israel in the 1990s, working on shows including the comedy “Yom Haim” and the crime drama “Magpie” before finding international success with “Tehran.”
In 2018, his show “Saving the Wildlife” won the award for Best TV Magazine for Children and Youth at the Israeli Television Academy Awards.