The actress and Harry Potter star Jason Isaacs spent two months shooting in Jerusalem before producers decided it was too dangerous to film there and relocated to Croatia.

But Heche spent three weeks there with her family and played the tourist, visiting the Sea of Galilee, the Wailing Wall and other fabled attractions.

She says, "It was quite a moment in our lives... I don't know the next time I'll go back to the Middle East with my kids."

Heche reveals areas of Croatia double up as parts of Jerusalem because ancient cities invaded by Romans often look the same.

She adds, "It looks exactly like Israel... We moved to Croatia because of the conflict in Gaza. It wasn't always the plan but it became the plan very quickly... It's happening over there - it's a very traumatic and passionate place."