Dana Eden, the co-creator and executive producer of the acclaimed Israeli spy thriller Tehran, was found dead in an Athens hotel room on Sunday, Greek police confirmed. Eden, 52, was discovered by her brother, according to authorities, who initially attributed her death to suicide.
The sudden death of the award-winning television executive prompted an immediate investigation, with Greek police securing security camera footage and interviewing hotel staff. A spokesperson, Constantina Dimoglidou, indicated that Eden’s brother had informed them she had previously been hospitalised for a medical condition and was taking medication. An autopsy has been ordered as standard procedure.
Donna and Shula Productions, the international production company founded by Eden alongside Shula Spiegel, released a statement expressing “great sorrow” for the loss. The company swiftly moved to dismiss speculation surrounding the circumstances of Eden’s death, particularly reports circulating in Israeli media suggesting a potential link to Iran, or that her death was criminal or nationalistic in nature. “Rumours regarding a criminal or nationalistic-related death are not true and are unfounded,” the statement read.
Eden had been in Athens since February 4th, overseeing filming of the fourth season of Tehran. The series, which follows a Mossad agent infiltrating Iran to disrupt its nuclear program, has garnered international acclaim, even earning a commendation from the FBI for its realistic portrayal of espionage. The Iranian regime has consistently denounced the show as Zionist propaganda.
Tehran, starring Niv Sultan, has been filmed entirely in Athens, chosen for its architectural similarities to the Iranian capital, with its combination of narrow streets, wide boulevards, and mountainous surroundings. Apple TV+ financed a fourth season in December, reflecting the show’s continued popularity and critical success.
KAN, the Israeli public broadcaster and co-producer of Tehran, mourned Eden’s passing, stating she was “among the senior figures in the Israeli television industry” and “a central figure in the creation and leadership of some of the corporation’s most prominent and influential productions.” The broadcaster acknowledged her “professional and personal legacy” would continue to shape Israeli television for years to come.
Glenn Close starred in the second season of the series, which has been praised by the New York Times for its plausibility. The investigation into Eden’s death remains ongoing, with authorities awaiting the results of the autopsy.
