Maor Schwitzer on Playing the Most Extreme Role in Kingdom of Heaven
Actor Maor Schwitzer opens up about playing Eisner, the fiercely loyal cult aide in the drama series "Kingdom of Heaven," ahead of tonight's tense new episode in Israeli media.
In the fictional drama series "Kingdom of Heaven," followers blindly obey their charismatic rebbe and community leader. Among them, Eisner stands out as the most trusted aide, holding the privilege to move freely in and out of the compound. Tasked with hunting down Yoel, who fled the cult, Eisner confronts him directly. However, this gripping encounter is far from Eisner's only challenge, as a tense new episode airs tonight following the news in Israeli media.
During a harsh confrontation with Carmeli, the rescuer pulls no punches, accusing the cult members of undergoing severe brainwashing by their psychopathic leader and telling Eisner he is no exception. Unfazed, Eisner fires back, defending his devotion. Fifteen years ago, he was living on the streets, utterly lost and abandoned by everyone. That was when he met the rebbe, who extended a helping hand and pulled him out of the abyss.
It is easy for outsiders to look in and label it brainwashing, but the rebbe gave us our life and taught us what love truly means, which is why we follow him, Eisner insists. Yet Carmeli refuses to back down, confronting him with brutal realities: whippings, underage marriages, starvation, and imprisonment. Is that what you call love? We have everything in writing.
Reflecting on his complex role in an interview with the 12+ streaming platform companion series, actor Maor Schwitzer, who portrays Eisner, discussed the unique challenges of the character. This role pushes me to my limits because it is completely foreign to me, Schwitzer shared, noting the character's radical mindset, fanaticism, and intense physicality. It is the most extreme character I have ever played, and I love pushing boundaries.
