A second coming Biblical sequel comes to NBC

from The Brainerd Dispatch TV Week April 5th 2015

by Brainerd Dispatch and Echo Journal

“The Bible” had a very select, diverse cast, and though the talent pool for “A.D. The Bible Continues” was overhauled, the actors and actresses brought in still reflect that desire.

of Jesus in “A.D.” is Argentinean actor Juan Pablo Di Pace (“Dallas,” “Mamma Mia!,” 2008), and at the NBC winter press tour in January, he said it was a very humbling experience.

“I come from a Christian family, a Catholic family. My mother is a religious mentor and we grew up with these stories our whole life,” Di Pace said.

“Once you get into these characters’ lives and what they experienced, it makes them incredibly human. They are like the most human people that ever lived, so to want to live your life in a dif-

The massive cast also innation Street”) as the apostle Peter, Jodhi May (“Emma,” bones,” “Coupling”) as the high priest Caiaphas, and Chipo Chung (“Camelot”) as Mary Magdalene.

“A.D. The Bible Continues” isn’t shaping up to be a plain-Jane retelling of stories from the Bible, either. At the NBC press tour, Chung promised that there would be action, which is fitting for the time period.

Coyle (“Cross-

“It’s completely action-packed,” she said. “We are creating a world that is very gruesome, which is what it was. Crucifixions were actually quite common. The Romans crucified thousands of people. It just happened to be this man, crucifying this man, that changed the world.”

Of course, there will be some truth-stretching involved to make the story more suitable for TV, but one of many theological consultants on the film, Father Jonathan Morris, assures viewers that “A.D.’s” script and the scripture can meet in the middle.

“Now, don’t be shocked: not everything you see in ‘A.D.’ is from the Bible,” Father Morris told Patheos.com. “The producers and writers rightly took artistic license to fill out the story. You couldn’t make a 12-part series for television with only what we read in Acts. But the truth is, a lot more happened in the lives of the first Christians than what we know from the Bible. I believe they did a great job of being faithful to the Bible while at the same time taking the viewer on a fascinating and logical journey of what else might have happened.”

For those that like a little more dissection to their viewing, NBC announced there will be a companion talk show, though it will be in digital form. On the NBC website and select streaming audio services, “Beyond A.D.” will have interviews with the creators and talent behind the show, will be hosted by “E! News” co-host Jason Kennedy and will be taped in front of a live audience at the Real Life Church in Southern California. Let curiosity and conversation lead from milk chocolate and Easter lilies to the blood and stone of ancient history. Follow the journey of the Christian Savior on one of the holiest days of the year as “A.D. The Bible Continues” premieres Easter Sunday, April 5, on NBC.

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