Actress Orna Pitussi has been fired from hit police drama Manayek after refusing to undergo COVID tests before filming. Pitussi had previously declared that she has no plans to be vaccinated against the disease.
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In April, Pittusi – a vocal opponent of the coronavirus vaccine – sparked controversy when she compared Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla to Adolf Hitler in a Facebook post. She later apologizing for her remarks.
The critically acclaimed Manayek ("Maniac") is currently filming its second season. The production confirmed Pittusi's dismissal from the show, saying "We work according to Health Ministry procedures and are committed to the health and safety of everyone involved in the show."
Used in Hebrew slang as a derogatory term for a policeman, Manayek stars Shalom Assayag, Amos Tamam, and Maya Dagan. It tells the story of veteran Police Internal Affairs investigator Izzy Bachar (Assayag), who is on the brink of retirement when he finds himself investigating his best friend (Tamam) – a high-ranking police officer accused of operating a vast criminal network within the force.
Until her recent dismissal from the show, Pittusi played Eti Bachar, Izzy's wife, who happens to be a senior police officer as well. It is unclear at this time how the writers plan to explain her exit from the show.
Created and written by Roy Iddan and directed by Alon Zingman, Manayek is one of Kan's highest-rated dramas alongside Tehran. It was a favorite of the Israeli Academy for Film and Television in 2020, winning the awards for Best Drama Series, Best Director in a Drama Series, Best Screenplay for a Drama Series, Leading Actor in a Drama Series, and Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.
In April, Cineflix Rights, the UK's largest independent TV content distributor, announced it acquired exclusive worldwide distribution rights for Manayek.
The show, from Yoav Gross Productions for Kan, is Cineflix Rights' second Israeli drama alongside the mega-hit Tehran, which has had huge global success following a deal with Apple TV+.
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