Unorthodox (TV Series)

Unorthodox is a German-American co-produced miniseries released on the Netflix platform in 2020. Directed by Maria Schrader, the series is adapted from Deborah Feldman’s 2012 autobiographical book Unorthodox: The Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots. The narrative follows a young woman from the Satmar Haredi Jewish community in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood as she abandons her traditional lifestyle and embarks on a journey toward a free life in Berlin. Upon its release, the series received widespread acclaim from both critics and audiences, particularly for its exploration of themes such as women’s autonomy, cultural identity, and individualism.

The series centers on Esty Shapiro, a 19-year-old woman who rebels against the strict religious rules and oppressive social structure of the Satmar community. Fleeing the pressures of her marriage and her desire for freedom, she escapes to Berlin, where she strives to adapt to a new cultural and personal way of life. However, her past follows her as her husband Yanky and cousin Moishe travel to Berlin in an attempt to bring her back.

The series examines the individual’s resistance to authority and the struggle to construct a personal identity. Esty’s deep connection to music, and her process of liberation through classical music, enriches the narrative’s metaphorical dimensions.

Unorthodox critiques the role of women in patriarchal societal structures and focuses on the inner empowerment of its female protagonist. The ways in which religious traditions shape women’s lives are portrayed without censorship.

Director: Maria Schrader

Screenwriters: Anna Winger, Alexa Karolinski

Producers: Anna Winger, Alexa Karolinski, Henning Kamm

Production Companies: Studio Airlift, Real Film Berlin

Production Year: 2020

Country: Germany, United States

Language: English, German, Yiddish

Number of Episodes: 4

Episode Duration: 50–55 minutes

Genre: Drama, Miniseries

Platform: Netflix

• Shira Haas – Esty Shapiro
• Amit Rahav – Yanky Shapiro
• Jeff Wilbusch – Moishe Lefkovitch
• Ronit Asheri – Malka
• Dina Doron – Bubbe
• Tamar Amit-Joseph – Yael

Unorthodox premiered on Netflix on 26 March 2020. The production attracted particular attention for its extensive use of Yiddish, making it a pioneering work in this regard. The series gained international recognition for its dramatic and empathetic portrayal of ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities.

Filmed in Germany, the series enhances its dramatic structure by contrasting Berlin’s contemporary cultural landscape with the traditional Hasidic world.

• Primetime Emmy Awards (72nd Emmy Awards), 2020
• • Outstanding Directing – Maria Schrader – Won
  • Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie – Shira Haas – Nominated
  • Outstanding Limited Series – Nominated
• German Television Awards (2021)
• • Best Miniseries – Won
• Peabody Awards, 2021
• • Fictional Narrative – Winner
• Critics’ Choice Television Awards, 2021
• • Best Limited Series – Nominated
  • Best Actress – Shira Haas – Nominated

Unorthodox has become a key reference point in academic discussions on the construction of female identity within cultural and religious communities. The series offers a multilayered interpretation of issues such as the clash of identities, diaspora experiences, migration, and social pressures. Esty’s personal story has resonated beyond its specific context, transforming into a universal quest for freedom and gaining widespread public recognition.