“Bad Boy” Debuted May 2 and Has Already Climbed to #8 on Netflix’s Global Non-English Chart
Netflix’s latest international sensation, Bad Boy, has quietly exploded into a global phenomenon. Since its debut on May 2, 2025, the Israeli drama has made an indelible mark on the streaming landscape, cracking the Top 10 charts in 46 territories including cultural heavyweights like Mexico, Italy, Germany, Spain, New Zealand, and Israel. Currently ranked as the 8th most-watched non-English language series according to Netflix’s official Tudum list, Bad Boy is commanding worldwide attention—and for good reason.
Before captivating international audiences, Bad Boy was already a critical darling in its home country. The series swept the Israeli TV Academy Awards in April, walking away with a staggering seven wins in top categories including Best Drama Series, Best Writing, and Best Directing—cementing its status as a prestige television event. That pedigree helped fuel Netflix’s acquisition of global streaming rights, following a buzzy world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2023 and a smash-hit local run on Israel’s HOT beginning November 2024.
At its core, Bad Boy is a story about pain, purpose, and the power of redemption. The plot centers around Dean Scheinman, a teenager incarcerated in a juvenile detention facility. But this is no ordinary coming-of-age tale—Dean’s journey from institutional confinement to discovering his inner creative genius is gripping, unflinching, and deeply human. The series artfully explores themes of brotherhood, trauma, and transformation with rare emotional depth. Inspired by true events, it pulses with urgency and authenticity—a potent mix of high-stakes storytelling and intimate character work that lingers long after the credits roll.
The creative minds behind Bad Boy are among the most respected in the industry. Israeli showrunner Ron Leshem, best known for the original Euphoria, teams up with filmmaker Hagar Ben Asher (Long Bright River, The Slut), who not only co-created and co-wrote the series but directed every episode. Together, they’ve crafted a raw, layered, and achingly real narrative brought to life by rising talents Daniel Chen, Havtamo Farda, and Guy Manster—each delivering performances that are both vulnerable and volatile.
A global co-production between studio Sipur and Peter Chernin’s North Road Company, in partnership with Israeli broadcaster HOT and Tedy Productions, the series is a masterclass in international storytelling. Executive producers include Leshem, Ben Asher, Kristin Jones Hill, and more—proving that when bold vision meets global backing, the results can be electric.
Bad Boy isn’t just the latest in Netflix’s growing arsenal of international hits—it’s a must-watch cultural moment. Blending sharp writing, emotional storytelling, and a grounded sense of realism, this is prestige television at its finest.
If you haven’t queued it up yet, now’s the time. Bad Boy is streaming worldwide on Netflix.
Credits: SIPUR Studios & North Road Company
