Tehran is a thrilling spy drama series created by Israeli writer Moshe Zonder.
The show, which began airing in 2020, follows the story of Tamar Rabinyan (Niv Sultan), an Israeli Mossad agent who is sent undercover to Iran to disable an Iranian nuclear reactor.
The series, which was filmed in Athens, Greece, provides a unique perspective on the tensions between Israel and Iran.
It portrays the complexities of the political and cultural dynamics between the two countries and sheds light on the human impact of conflict.
But what is the plot of the series about, and is it worth watching?
What Is Tehran About?
Our story begins on a flight from Jordan to India. Two young Israeli students are heading off on holiday and choose this flight simply because it was cheaper than the alternative.
What they don't know is that the flight will get into trouble and have to land in Iran. (For those unaware of the history between the two countries, this is not a good thing).
Instantly the two are taken into custody to be questioned about their reasons for being there. But in the midst of this, the young woman uses the bathroom only to bump into a flight attendant she believes she knows from the Israeli army.
That flight attendant is actually Tamar Rabinyan, a strong, intelligent, and resourceful Mossad agent and computer hacker who has just swapped places with an Iranian woman, Zhila, in the toilet cubicle.
The reason? Zhila wants out of Iran, and she's willing to trade codes to the Electricity Company server, which can then be hacked, to do so.
By posing as Zhila, Tamar can now access the system and download everything Mossad needs to disable the Iranian radar system and launch an air force attack to destroy Iran's nuclear reactor.
However, when the Iranian Revolutionary Guards discover what is happening, Tamar's first mission fails, and she must go on the run and avoid capture.
Tehran Official Trailer
Is Tehran Worth Watching?
While Tehran is a geopolitical thriller deftly balanced between political and personal issues, the story remains largely focused on Tamar. She is a complex character who struggles with her loyalty to her country and her personal beliefs.
Through her eyes, we get to see two different worlds with an authentic representation of Iranian culture and the Iranian people. There are no stereotypes or cliched characters, which only adds to the show's quality.
In fact, similar to several Apple TV series, Tehran has a bilingual format so it switches between Hebrew, Farsi and English, with English subtitles. This format not only adds to the show's realism but also showcases the importance of language and its impact on communication and culture.
With its expertly plotted twists, tension-building storylines, strong performances, and excellent production quality, Tehran is a well-crafted spy thriller that provides a unique perspective on the tensions between Israel and Iran.
Overall, it is a must-watch for anyone interested in political dramas and espionage thrillers. So if you loved watching the likes of Fauda, Jack Ryan or Mosul, you should really watch Tehran!
How Many Seasons Of Tehran?
Currently, there are two seasons of Tehran airing on Apple TV+. Season 1 focused on Tamar completing her mission and getting back to Israel.
Season 2 introduced Glenn Close as Marjan Montazami, a British agent in Tehran who helps Tamar when she is drawn back into the spy world for another mission.
We also know that Apple TV has renewed the show for a third season and that Hugh Laurie (The Night Manager, Roadkill) has joined the ensemble cast.
Tehran TV Series Cast
Niv Sultan plays Tamar Rabinyan, a young Jewish woman born in Iran but raised in Israel, who is given a new mission to hack into the Iranian radar system
Shaun Toub as Faraz Kamali, head of investigations of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps who his hunting down Tamar
Navid Negahban as Masoud Tabrizi, Tamar's handler
Shervin Alenabi as Milad, Tamar's boyfriend
Menashe Noy as Meir Gorev
Liraz Charhi as Yael Kadosh
Shila Ommi as Nahid, wife of Faraz Kamali, who has headed to Paris for an operation
