HBO Max will air the first scripted portrayal of the devastating Oct. 7 attack on Israel.
The company has acquired the exclusive U.S. rights to One Day in October. The limited series depicts Hamas‘ 2023 surprise attack which killed 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals and kidnapped 251 others.
One Day in October was filmed on location in Israel and is based on real-life accounts. The project described by producers as chronicling “seven emotionally gripping and artistically interwoven narratives of love, courage, sacrifice and survival. From families torn apart to moments of hope emerging in the face of unspeakable tragedy to incredible bravery against the odds, each episode reveals the human cost and resilience born out of chaos. The series portrays the victims’ and survivors’ experiences of that day and is brought to life by a distinguished cast and acclaimed creative team.”
The show will premiere this Oct. 7, on the two-year anniversary of the attack.
Fox Entertainment Studios president, Fernando Szew, said about the project: “The tragic events on October 7th had a profound impact on all of us. From the very beginning, we approached this series with the utmost care, sensitivity and urgency to ensure that the stories were told with authenticity and respect and paying homage to the victims and the heroic survivors” and noted the team “have truly created compelling storytelling that we are proud to showcase.”
The four-episode series is co-produced by Fox Entertainment Studios with yes TV, New York-based production company Sparks Go and Israel’s ZOA Films.
“For me, film and television have always been more than entertainment, they are a way to bear witness. These are stories of ordinary people facing extraordinary moments,” said Sparks Go founder Daniel Finkelman. “In a time when truth is fragile, the most powerful thing we can do is to appeal to humanity itself. My hope is that these stories will open hearts and spark meaningful conversation.”
The Oct. 7 attack ignited a tragic and controversial war between Israel and Hamas that continues to this day. The conflict has raged for nearly 23 months and resulted in 64,871 Palestinians being killed in the Gaza Strip, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. Approximately 48 Israelis are still being held hostage.
One Day in October is created by Daniel Finkelman and Oded Davidoff and its cast includes Swell Ariel Or (The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem), Noa Kedar (The Malevolent Bride), Naomi Levov (Yona, On the Spectrum), Hisham Suliman (Fauda, Munich), Wael Hamdoun (Tahrir, Fauda) and Yuval Semo (The Good Cop, Elisha, Superdaddy).