The question arose within hours of a death that should have remained a matter of grief. On 16 February, Dana Eden, co-creator and producer of the Israeli espionage series Tehran, was found dead in her hotel room at the Gatsby Athens. She was 52. Greek police are investigating and are treating the death as a possible suicide. Eden had been in Greece filming the programme’s fourth series.

Tehran, first released in 2020, follows a Mossad hacker-agent sent to sabotage an Iranian nuclear facility, only to become trapped inside the country. Filmed partly in Greece and other locations standing in for Tehran, the series became an international success after its acquisition by Apple TV , winning the International Emmy Award for Best Drama Series in 2021. Laurie joined in Season three as a South African nuclear inspector.

The controversy did not centre on his reference to suicide. It centred on something more charged

The controversy did not centre on his reference to suicide. It centred on something more charged

Eden’s body was discovered by her brother after she failed to respond to his messages. Reports indicate bruising on her limbs and neck and large quantities of pills at the scene. Police are examining whether, before ingesting the pills, she attempted to harm herself in another way. Online speculation quickly attributed her death to Iranian agents. The production company dismissed those claims.

Laurie posted a tribute on X. ‘Dana Eden, who co-created and produced ‘Tehran’, died on Sunday, seemingly by her own hand. It’s a terrible thing. She was brilliant, and funny, and an exceptional leader. Love and condolences to all who knew her.’

The controversy did not centre on his reference to suicide. It centred on something more charged. Some critics accused Laurie of using the tribute to signal support for Zionism by publicly honouring an Israeli producer associated with a series........

© The Spectator