Hollywood actress Julia Stiles has been cast as the lead in an adaptation of an Israeli series about a mystery at a secretive commune.

Timrot Ashan is the latest in a growing list of Israeli programmes to be given a US makeover, following in the footsteps of Homeland – based on the series Hatufim – and In Treatment (formerly BeTipul).

According to industry website Deadline, Ms Stiles, best known for starring opposite Heath Ledger in Ten Things I Hate About You, will play Leah Kafka, an FBI agent seeking to untangle a conspiracy at a commune in Alaska.

The Israeli original, the title of which translates as "Pillars of Smoke" first aired in 2009. It follows the mysterious disappearances of members of a cult based at a Golan Heights kibbutz. It has been described as "Twin Peaks meets Northern Exposure meets Lost".