The Hebrew-language version of 'Hostages' to be broadcast by the BBC with English subtitles. Photo: Screenshot.

The BBC will air Israeli television program ‘Hostages’ in Hebrew with English subtitles, the first-time ever at the BBC and only the second time in Britain, Israel’s Globes business daily reported on Thursday.

The first show broadcast in Hebrew in Britain, on another channel, was ‘Hatufim,’ or ‘Prisoners of War,’ on which the U.S. series ‘Homeland’ was based.

‘Hostages‘ was created by Rotem Shamir and Omri Givon, and produced by Haim Sharir, and is being distributed by Armoza Formats Ltd. It was originally broadcast on Israel’s Channel 10.

‘Hostages’ was expected to be such a hit that it was sold to U.S. network CBS while still in development, and before it even aired in Israel. The weekly episodes of the CBS version have 18 million viewers, Globes said, while the format has also been sold to French and Russian networks. The CBS version is already being broadcast by the UK’s Channel 4.

Armoza Formats CEO Avi Armoza said, “With its powerful universal storyline, and the success it has achieved in Israel, we look forward to continue bringing Hostages to the international market. We are proud to represent the first ever Israeli series to air on the BBC, and believe that the BBC is the perfect home for this highly acclaimed drama.”

The BBC’s Head of Program Acquisitions Sue Deeks said, “‘Hostages’ is a taut, spare and authentic Israeli thriller.”

Watch the Hebrew-language version of ‘Hostages’ below with English subtitles: