Michael Aloni - one of the stars of Israeli television series Shtisel – is to appear in an ambitious production of The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem.

The actor, who played Shtisel character Akiva, is among the cast who will appear in the TV adaptation of  Sarit Yishai-Levy’s epic bestselling novel about a Sephardic family.

The historical melodrama, which tells the story of the Armoza family,  will be filmed  across Israel and will be shot in Hebrew, English, Ladino and Arabic.

It is  being made for a two-series order.

Hila Saada of “The Baker and The Beauty” and Itzik Cohen of “Fauda,” will also feature in the cast.

According to industry publication Deadline the drama, which is set in the early-mid 20th century, will chart the passionate and tragic history of a family living through the Ottoman Empire, the British Mandate and Israel’s War of Independence. 

Production is underway on what is being billed as one of the most ambitious Israeli TV series’ ever.