Meirav Shirom an Israeli actress, who plays Dana in the hit show Fauda, sat down with Ynet to talk about her career and what is still to come.
So how did it all start?
"I thought I would become a dancer, because since I was six I danced, and performed on television, and local stages. I was always drawn to the stage and to performance."
"It was very clear that I was going to be something in the dance world," said the 41-year-old actress. "I was in a dance group that participated in a musical at the National Habima theatre, I was 20 at the time. But then, it suddenly became clear to me and those around me that I was more of an actress than a dancer, they really pushed me to go to acting school."
What happened next?
I joined the Be'er Sheva theater, and at first, I had a few small parts, and later I got my first lead role in a play. I combined my singing and dancing skills, and I received two awards for the role: The Israel Theater Prize for a leading role, and the second prize – I met the love of my life, my husband Yaron Brovinsky, and since then we have been together for almost 10 years.”
What was your breakthrough moment?
“As far as I’m concerned, it hasn't been yet. I am constantly developing. My career is always followed by my development as a person."
Thanks to your role in Fauda, you are famous all over the world.
“There is no doubt that Fauda was the biggest international project I was ever a part of. It has received a lot of attention both in Israel and abroad."
"When I was in L.A. on a business trip, it was after the second season and the first that I was part of. We were sitting in a restaurant in a hotel and at the table next to us sat Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons and they just recognized me from Fauda, and said they watched the series a few weeks earlier.
"A friend introduced us, and they said they knew who I was even though I had changed my hair color That's when I realized how famous the series was. Until that moment I only received praise on Instagram and on the street. But once two famous Hollywood stars recognize you, you realize that Fauda is everywhere. It’s a very pleasant and surprising feeling.”
What is the most common reaction you get when you're recognized on the street?
“First of all, I’m used to not being recognized at all. Whether I am playing in the theatre or am on an international series on Netflix, almost no one recognizes me. Even at social events and premiers, I don't get recognized. I look very different in life. The usual responses are: "Wow, you're so small," because I'm only 1.57 meters (5.1 feet), and on TV I look very tall to everyone."
"They always tell me how funny I am because no one knows that side of me. Most of my roles are serious ones. But the more different I am in life from the characters I play, the more I enjoy it. When I get into character, I fully embrace it."
What can you tell us about Fauda? There is a lot of suspense about whether the series will continue or not.
"Wow, I can't say anything. Even if I did know something, I wouldn't be able to say it. We don’t know if the series will continue or not. Right now there are rumors that maybe it will. But I can’t say anything official yet.”
If it ends this way, it will be a heartbreak for fans of the series.
“I just have to agree. There's also a kind of responsibility because it's become a cult show. And it achieved great success in Israel and around the world. It's just unbelievable. Lior Raz is constantly receiving feedback from the world’s biggest names in the industry, who watch and love the show, and not just them, some of the biggest names in the soccer world also praised it, as they were watching it during their flights."