Toronto-based production company Associated Producers Ltd. and veteran Canadian producer Robert Lantos have partnered with Keshet Studios on a new documentary series.

Kabbalah is a 10-hour series that recounts the history of the ancient practice.

Associated Producers’ president Simcha Jacobovici told Playback Daily the project came together about six months ago after Lantos, a longtime friend, introduced him to L.A.-based Keshet. He said the producer/distributor was looking to do something “big” in the documentary space that would get a lot of notice – and a series on Kabbalah was that something “big.”

“[Kabbalah is] one of those words that resonates. Even people who don’t know anything [about it] immediately think Ashton Kutcher, Madonna or Demi Moore. It has this immediate sex appeal,” Jacobovici said.

The docuseries will focus on the stories of secret societies and historical figures that have been informed by Kabbalah.

“This is a series that will take us through everything from the Renaissance to WWII to the American Revolution. It really spans the whole globe. We see it as an international production. We want people to connect with it, wherever they’re watching,” said Jacobovici.

The series marks the launch of Keshet Studios’ premium documentary arm. Rob Lee, who was named Keshet Studios’ president of non-scripted programming last year, is leading the company’s push into documentary. Keshet Studios is U.S. subsidiary of Israeli-based Homeland and Rising Star producer/distributor Keshet International.

The series is now in the late stages of pre-production. Broadcast partners and air dates have yet to be announced.

With files from Kevin Ritchie