Netflix has acquired the international rights to Bad Boy, a gripping Israeli drama series co-created by Ron Leshem, the mind behind the original Euphoria, and filmmaker Hagar Ben-Asher. The show, which delves into the harsh realities of juvenile detention, is set to premiere globally on Netflix in 2025, following its domestic broadcast on Israel’s HOT channel.
A Netflix Collaboration with Global Ambitions
Bad Boy marks a significant step in global storytelling, as it is the first co-production venture between Peter Chernin’s North Road Company and Israel’s entertainment studio Sipur. Originally unveiled in March 2023, the series generated buzz even before its debut screening at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) last year. Netflix, operating in over 190 countries, is expected to introduce the series to a worldwide audience.
A Powerful Tale Rooted in True Events
Bad Boy is inspired by real-life events, tracing the journey of Dean, a young boy incarcerated in a brutal juvenile detention facility. There, he forms a bond with Zoro, an enigmatic fellow inmate. Two decades later, Dean is a successful comedian determined to bury his troubled past. The show explores the harsh juxtaposition between childhood innocence and the violence of prison life, themes that Leshem has long wanted to explore.
The cast features rising Israeli stars Daniel Chen, Guy Manster, and Havtamo Farda. Leshem revealed that his experience as an investigative journalist visiting juvenile prisons laid the foundation for the series’ narrative. Reflecting on his time in such facilities, he shared:
“I remember stepping into this place and one minute the kids would be singing The Lion King songs and missing their mothers, while the next they were acting like monsters trying to kill each other.”
The Next Euphoria?
Leshem has high hopes for Bad Boy, calling it a potential successor to Euphoria in terms of emotional depth and cultural impact. While Euphoria explored the lives of troubled teenagers, Bad Boy sets its lens on the raw and often overlooked world of juvenile incarceration.
Interestingly, Leshem revealed that the original concept for Euphoria included characters born in prison, but that idea was shelved. With Bad Boy, he finally realizes his vision of a story centered on the unique challenges and dynamics of life inside a juvenile detention center.
Global Release Details
Bad Boy will first air on HOT in Israel before its international rollout on Netflix in 2025. With its compelling storyline and creative pedigree, the series is poised to become a global sensation, resonating with viewers who appreciated the unflinching honesty of Euphoria.
Stay tuned for more updates on Bad Boy as its release date approaches, and prepare for another emotionally charged series from Ron Leshem that promises to leave a lasting impression.