Critically acclaimed Israeli web series Bad Boy was released on Netflix on May 2, 2025. Ever since then, Bad Boy has been among the most-watched series of the week in multiple countries. In India, Bad Boy is in the 'Everybody's Watching' section. Created by Ron Leshem, Daniel Chen, and Hagar Ben-Asher, Bad Boy gives fans shades of the globally hit limited series Adolescence. Written by Ron Leshem, Bad Boy is inspired by real-life events based on the life of a comedian whose humor kept him alive inside a brutal juvenile detention center during his teenage days. The makers of the series have clarified that they have taken the liberty to dramatise the series.
The protagonist of the series is Dean Shaiman, who gets arrested during his teenage days and is thrown into a brutal detention center. The first episode of the series showcased that Dean Shaiman's mother complained to the police about her own child, and hence, he was arrested and sent to jail. Now, the question arises: Who is Dean Shaiman, and what crimes did he commit during his teenage days? Below is all you need to know-
Bad Boy Real Story
As per Hollywood Reporter, Bad Boy is based on Scheinman/Chen’s real life story, and Daniel Chen plays the adult version of himself in the series. The Israli series follows Dean Shaiman played by Guy Menaster, a young teenage criminal, and Daniel Chen (Daniel Chen), the adult comedian he becomes after changing his name.
Notably, the makers have masterfully kept the crimes of Daniel Chen or the crimes of the teenager Dean Shaiman under wraps. However, in the first episode of Bad Boys, Dean Shaiman was seen using a fire extinguisher on his mother's partner when he said to send him away. It showcased that Dean Shaiman could not handle his anger and was impulsive.
In Episode 1 of the series, the judge says that Dean has been booked multiple times and hence, it is now time he will sent to prison. As per reports, Dean was after allegedly setting fire to a house. Reports further suggest that Dean was accused of breaking and entering, possibly as part of a misguided attempt to impress peers or out of desperation.
Nevertheless, the series is based around Dean's crimes but his time at the brutal juvenile center.
First launched on Israel’s Hot cable channel in November 2024, Bad Boy chronicles the story of Dean’s time in jail, where he bonds with Zion Zoro, a whippet-thin, Ethiopian-Israeli teenage prisoner serving time for murder.
Who plays what in Bad Boy?
Dean Sheyman (Teen) is played by actor Guy Menaster, Daniel Chen (Adult Dean) is played by Daniel Chen himself, Zion "Zoro" is played by Havtamo Farda, Tamara Sheyman is played by Neta Plotnik, Freddie is played by Ishay Lalosh, etc.