NBC Developing Drama based on Israeli TV Thriller Timrot Ashan

NBC has acquired the US television rights to the Israeli television thriller Smoke Pillars (or Pillars of Smoke) with the intent of producing a stateside version.

In the Israeli series, titled Timrot Ashan, which is starting its second season, the police investigate a cult from the Golan Heights that has mysteriously disappeared. With little assistance from the local population, the lead investigator discovers a political conspiracy with potential environmental consequences.

Some websites are describing the series as a cross between Twin Peaks and Lost. We watched the opening credits online, and though we don't read/speak Hebrew, just the visuals and soundtrack have us leaning far more towards Twin Peaks than Lost; quite frankly it reminded us more of True Blood than anything else (though we didn't see any evidence of vampires!).

(Source: The Hollywood Reporter.)