Deep Purple to Rock Hall? Ritchie Blackmore 'Couldn't Care Less' ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Legendary English rock band Deep Purple is set to make its Israeli acting debut in an upcoming local TV series.
The new scripted series, Atlantica, revolves around an aspiring underdog rock band from Jerusalem, managed by a high-school history teacher played by popular Israeli comedian and rock enthusiast Tal Friedman.
The Hollywood Reporter has learnt that in the series’ final episode, Deep Purple lead singer Ian Gillan and bassist Roger Glover will have speaking parts as the aspiring Jerusalem rockers locate their idols and beg to join them on stage.
Shooting of the cameo appearances will take place over the weekend, in between the band’s two scheduled concerts at Tel Aviv’s Nokia Arena.
In real life, Friedman and his band The Fat Cats will serve as Deep Purple’s warm-up act before their Saturday show. Deep Purple has been on tour since February 2013 in support of the band's 19th studio album Now What?!
The cameo came about in a collaborative effort by casting director Amira Buzaglo and promoter Udi Appelboim, whose production company is behind Deep Purple’s shows in Israel, which mark the band's third visit to the country.
Appelboim is also responsible for recent Israeli gigs by Alanis Morissette, Tom Jones and Cyndi Lauper, as well as the upcoming highly publicized concert by Justin Timberlake in May, marking the pop star’s inaugural visit to the holy land as part of his The 20/20 Experience World Tour.
Atlantica is produced by Herzliya Studios and directed by Oded Davidoff, both known in the U.S. for their 2012 pilot Midnight Sun (formerly Pillars of Smoke), which was not picked up by NBC.
In Israel, Atlantica is expected to debut at the end of the year on cable provider Hot, which notably was behind the original version of HBO’s In Treatment.
