A Jewish detective bows on TV during a wave of antisemitism
Viewers of “The Calling” will quickly learn it isn’t a typical TV police procedural. Just two minutes in, the lead detective of a fresh murder bows quietly over the dead body — and prays.
Detective Avraham Avraham is an unusual figure in the New York Police Department: A keen observer of human behavior from his study of philosophy and his Orthodox Jewish faith.
“I’m proud to play a Jewish detective that is religious,” says actor Jeff Wilbusch, who plays Avraham. “It’s very unique to have such a show. And I think it’s an important story to tell.”
Peacock’s “The Calling,” which costars Juliana Canfield as Avraham’s
partner, is from celebrated showrunner, writer and executive producer David E. Kelley, with Oscar- and Emmy-winning Barry Levinson directing the first two episodes and Hans Zimmer and Steve Mazzaro providing the music. It debuted Thursday.
Based on a series of books by Israeli crime writer Dror A. Mishani, “The Calling” puts a Jewish detective who quotes from the Torah front and center on U.S. primetime during a new spasm of antisemitism.
“We’re living in tricky times, sad times,” says Wilbusch. “I believe very much in the power of storytelling. You know, I don’t know how much power I have, but I’m very proud of the series.”
“The Calling” is a quirky, more quiet
show, using melodies that borrow from the Middle East and cinematography grinded into the gritty streets of New York City, where it was filmed over the spring and summer. One recurring character is a homeless former professor.
“The mood of the show is intentionally enigmatic,” says Canfield. “Avi is a detective who operates in a different way from your run-of-the-mill detective. And I think the show mirrors his approach in a lot of ways, which is to say the show and Avi are both deeply interested in character and human behavior.”
The first season centers on the case of a missing teen, which stretches out over the eight, hourlong episodes.