Mark Ivanir on Playing a Cult Leader in Keshet 12's 'The Escape'

Actor Mark Ivanir is currently captivating television audiences in the role of "The Righteous One," the leader and patriarch of a fictional cult in the drama series "The Escape," broadcast on Keshet 12. For this complex role, Ivanir underwent a striking physical transformation, sporting a thick beard and curled sidelocks. In a recent interview, the acclaimed actor revealed that his dramatic on-screen appearance often causes amusing confusion among fans in public.

"I was sitting in a café, and when I asked for the bill, the waitress asked if I play the Hasidic Rebbe, saying she recognized me only by my voice," Ivanir shared with a laugh. "Because of the costume and makeup, people simply do not realize it is me. Some recognize my voice, and I find it quite amusing. Many people come up to share how addicted they are to the series and how much they love it."

Reflecting on what drew him to the script, Ivanir explained his fascination with the psychological dynamics of closed communities. "There is something inherently captivating about cults, not just for me. I am not the type of person who would ever join a cult, but I was deeply intrigued by what it means for people to live in a form of isolation while one individual completely controls the environment. I wanted to explore what it means to rule a kingdom and examine the raw dynamics of power and control."

On the set, Ivanir worked alongside some of the most promising young talents in the local industry, including Ido Tako, Lia Elalouf, Naya Biendstock, and Ben Sultan. Describing the collaborative atmosphere during the ten-day shoot in a forest-surrounded hotel, he noted, "It was a lot of fun. We spent our days filming jungle sequences and our evenings sharing stories. It felt like a retreat. There was a unique charm in talking with the younger actors and hearing about their experiences. My wife was with me as well, so it felt like a cozy family gathering; it was truly delightful."

Looking ahead, Ivanir’s career spans both local projects and international platforms. He recently wrapped up commercial filming for Xpeng alongside "Dancing with the Stars" participant Sena Sokol, though he remains non-committal about joining the hit reality dance competition himself. "People often ask when I will join the show, but for now, I am not doing it. I am not ruling it out completely, but not yet. Meanwhile, a new series on Apple TV is set to premiere in the coming year, and a feature film is coming to Amazon Prime. It is a very active period with many projects coming together."

Discussing his career in the global arena, Ivanir also touched upon the complexities of being an Israeli actor working internationally. Reflecting on past festival experiences, he noted, "I starred in a film two years ago that was nominated for an Oscar, and when it went to the Cannes Film Festival, I was not invited, even though I was among the lead actors. I watched other lead actors attend, which was an unpleasant feeling. However, I was invited to the Oscars, and that was a wonderful experience. Generally speaking, my fortune has been that I operate largely outside the confined local arena."