The creator of the popular series “Tehran,” Dana Eden, is the Israeli woman who was found dead in an Athens hotel yesterday (15/2), while authorities are working to clarify all aspects of her death.

Based on the information collected so far, police believe it was suicide, as a large number of pills were found in her hotel room.

The 52-year-old, found dead by her brother, also had bruises on her limbs and neck, prompting investigators to examine whether she may have attempted to harm herself in another way before taking the pills.

Reports indicate that she had been hospitalized in the past and was on prescribed medication.

Dana Eden had arrived in Athens at the beginning of the month to carry out filming for “Tehran,” of which she is the producer.

According to foreign media reports, Dana Eden was one of Israel’s most well-known and successful producers, and with the series “Tehran,” she had even won an Emmy Award.

A post-mortem autopsy has already been ordered to determine the exact cause of death, while police are reviewing security camera footage and collecting testimonies from hotel staff.

Murder Claims Are Fake News

Connection to criminal activity and nationalist motives denied

The production company behind “Tehran,” Donna and Shula Productions, addressed the rumors circulating that Dana Eden’s death was linked to criminal activity or nationalist motives.

In a Facebook statement, the company clarified that there is no evidence suggesting foul play, despite social media rumors claiming she may have been murdered by Iranian agents.

“The production company wants to make clear that rumors of criminal or nationalist motives in her death are false and unfounded,” the statement reads.
“We urge the media and the public not to spread baseless theories and to act responsibly and sensitively. This is a moment of immense grief for the family, friends, and colleagues. We want to protect Dana’s dignity and privacy.”

Meanwhile, in a statement to the newspaper Maariv, the Israeli embassy in Athens described her death as a “tragic incident” and said it is assisting the family.

“Tehran” Series Filmed in Athens

The series, following a Mossad agent in Tehran and partly filmed in Athens, is considered one of the most successful Israeli TV shows. Dana Eden and co-producer Shula Spiegel had signed a multi-million dollar deal with Apple TV Plus for its production.

In a May 2023 interview on the “Outside the Frame” podcast, Eden and Spiegel said:

“Greece has a tax rebate law for foreign productions. We were supposed to receive the funds, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the system wasn’t functioning for a few months, which delayed payments by six months. During that period, we were living like in a movie, with cash flow deficits of millions.”

“I mortgaged my house to produce ‘Tehran’ and complete filming. We are both crazy, irresponsibly optimistic, and take absurd risks. I hid it from my children; I didn’t want to tell them.”

In November 2021, the series won an Emmy for Best Drama Series.