The complete cast list for Fauda Season 5 is taking shape, and it includes the biggest international name in the show’s history. Melanie Laurent — the French star of Inglourious Basterds — joins returning lead Lior Raz for what promises to be the most ambitious season yet. But there’s also a painful absence: Idan Amedi, who played the beloved Sagi Tzur, will not be returning full-time after severe injuries sustained during reserve duty in Gaza.
This guide covers every confirmed cast member, their characters, what we know about new additions, and the emotional story behind Amedi’s absence that has affected fans worldwide.
The Full Cast List
Returning Cast Members
| Actor | Character | Role | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lior Raz | Doron Kavillio | Lead — undercover operative | Confirmed returning |
| Itzik Cohen | Captain Gabi Ayub | Unit commander | Confirmed returning |
| Doron Ben-David | Steve | Team member | Confirmed returning |
| Hisham Suliman | Bashar Hamdan | Palestinian character | Confirmed returning |
| Yaakov Zada Daniel | Supporting role | Team support | Confirmed returning |
New Cast Members
| Actor | Character | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melanie Laurent | TBA (undisclosed) | Major recurring | French actress, international expansion |
| Additional cast TBA | New European characters | Various | Budapest filming suggests European roles |
| Additional cast TBA | New Palestinian/Arab characters | Various | Post-October 7 setting requires new perspectives |
Not Returning
| Actor | Character | Reason | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Idan Amedi | Sagi Tzur | Severely injured in Gaza reserve duty | NOT returning full-time. Possible cameo. |
Lior Raz: The Heart of Fauda Returns
Who Is Lior Raz?
Lior Raz is more than just Fauda’s lead actor — he co-created the show with journalist Avi Issacharoff. Born in 1971, Raz served in the IDF’s elite Duvdevan unit, which conducts undercover operations in Palestinian territories. His real-life experience informs the authenticity that makes Fauda unique among spy dramas.
Doron Kavillio in Season 5
Over four seasons, Doron has lost nearly everyone he loves — teammates, family members, and romantic partners have all been casualties of his work. Season 5 is expected to push the character even further into moral and emotional extremity. The post-October 7 setting means Doron is operating in a fundamentally different intelligence landscape than previous seasons.
Yes TV teased footage at their anniversary event showing Raz in new operational scenarios, suggesting the character’s missions expand geographically to Europe for the first time — consistent with the Budapest filming location and Melanie Laurent’s casting.
Melanie Laurent: The Biggest Addition
Who Is Melanie Laurent?
Melanie Laurent is one of France’s most internationally recognized actresses. Her credits include:
- Inglourious Basterds (2009) — Shosanna Dreyfus, one of Quentin Tarantino’s most iconic characters
- Now You See Me (2013) and sequel — Agent Alma Dray, French Interpol
- 6 Underground (2019) — part of Ryan Reynolds’ ensemble action cast
- Oxygen (2021) — lead, French Netflix sci-fi thriller (also directed)
- Multiple French-language films as both actress and director
What We Know About Her Fauda Character
Character details remain undisclosed. What we can infer:
- European connection: A French character likely means at least part of Season 5’s plot involves France or European intelligence
- Possible French DGSE agent: Given the show’s intelligence focus, Laurent may play a French intelligence officer collaborating or conflicting with Israeli operations
- Diplomatic role possible: The post-October 7 setting could involve French diplomatic characters involved in Middle East negotiations
- Production budget increase: Casting an actress of Laurent’s profile confirms Netflix invested significantly more in Season 5
What Her Casting Means for the Show
Laurent’s casting signals several things about Fauda’s evolution:
- International expansion: Fauda is positioning for broader European appeal beyond its existing global Netflix audience
- Geographic expansion: The story moves beyond Israel and the West Bank for the first time
- Budget increase: Netflix is investing more heavily in the show’s final (or penultimate) season
- Genre evolution: The show may incorporate elements of European spy thriller alongside its established Israeli/Palestinian framework
Idan Amedi (Sagi Tzur): The Painful Absence
What Happened to Idan Amedi
Idan Amedi, who played Sagi Tzur — one of Fauda’s most beloved characters — was severely injured during reserve duty in Gaza in early 2024. The injuries were life-threatening and required extended hospitalization and rehabilitation. Amedi’s recovery has been remarkable but long, and he has focused on his music career during the recovery period.
Why Sagi Won’t Be Back
Producers confirmed that Amedi will not be a regular cast member in Season 5. The reasons are both practical (physical recovery timeline, scheduling conflicts with music career) and creative (the production team adapted the story to account for his absence). There are unconfirmed reports of a possible cameo, but fans should not expect Sagi to play a meaningful role.
Why This Matters to Fans
Sagi Tzur was one of Fauda’s most emotionally resonant characters — a young soldier whose journey from idealistic recruit to hardened operative reflected the moral costs of the conflict. His absence in Season 5 will be deeply felt. For many fans, Amedi’s real-life injuries blurred the line between fiction and reality in ways that made Fauda’s themes uncomfortably personal.
Amedi has spoken publicly about his injuries and recovery, and his music career has flourished in the aftermath. His debut album, released in 2025, explored themes of trauma, service, and healing that resonated with Israeli audiences. His journey from Fauda actor to war casualty to music artist is itself a story worthy of a documentary.
The Creative Team
Director: Omri Givon
Omri Givon directs Season 5, bringing visual style and pacing expertise that have defined Fauda’s cinematic quality. Givon’s work on previous Israeli productions has earned critical acclaim, and his direction ensures Season 5 maintains the show’s signature intensity.
Writer: Omri Shenhar
Omri Shenhar leads the writing team, scripting a season that had to undergo substantial rewrites after the October 7 attacks. The writing challenge for Season 5 is enormous: crafting fiction around events so recent and raw that the boundary between entertainment and exploitation is razor-thin. Shenhar’s approach reportedly treats the subject matter with gravity while maintaining the dramatic tension that makes Fauda compelling.
Co-Creator: Avi Issacharoff
Journalist and co-creator Avi Issacharoff continues as executive producer. His knowledge of Palestinian society, Israeli intelligence operations, and the broader conflict provides the show’s foundation of authenticity. Issacharoff’s journalism background ensures the show’s geopolitical accuracy remains strong even as the story expands internationally.
What Season 5’s Cast Tells Us About the Plot
European Expansion
The combination of Melanie Laurent’s casting and Budapest filming locations strongly suggests Season 5 takes operations to Europe. This could involve:
- Israeli intelligence tracking threats across European cities
- Collaboration (or conflict) with European intelligence agencies
- Palestinian diaspora communities in Europe
- Hezbollah’s European networks
Post-October 7 Reality
With returning cast members portraying characters who experienced the October 7 attacks and the subsequent wars, Season 5 will address how these events transformed Israeli intelligence operations. The show has always been political — but Season 5 may be the most politically charged season yet.
Both Perspectives
Hisham Suliman’s return as Bashar Hamdan confirms that Fauda will continue telling stories from both Israeli and Palestinian perspectives. The show’s unique strength has always been its refusal to reduce either side to caricature. In the post-October 7 environment, this balanced approach is more important — and more difficult — than ever.
Where to Watch Previous Seasons
Before Season 5, catch up on Seasons 1-4:
| Platform | Availability | Languages |
|---|---|---|
| Netflix (global) | All 4 seasons | Hebrew + Arabic audio, 30+ subtitle languages |
| Yes TV (Israel) | All 4 seasons | Hebrew |
Recommended Viewing Order
Watch in order: Season 1 → 2 → 3 → 4. Character arcs and emotional weight build cumulatively. Skip-watching weakens the Season 5 experience significantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is in the Fauda Season 5 cast?
Lior Raz (Doron), Melanie Laurent (new), Itzik Cohen (Gabi), Doron Ben-David (Steve), Hisham Suliman (Bashar). Idan Amedi (Sagi) NOT returning.
Is Idan Amedi in Season 5?
Not full-time. Possible cameo only. He was severely injured in Gaza reserve duty.
Who is Melanie Laurent?
French actress from Inglourious Basterds, Now You See Me, 6 Underground. Joins in major new role.
Is Lior Raz returning?
Yes, confirmed as lead. Co-creator and star of the show.
Will there be new characters?
Yes. Laurent’s new character plus expected European and Palestinian additions.
Related Articles
For more, see Variety, Hollywood Reporter, and IMDb Fauda.
Last Updated: April 9, 2026
