By Michaela Gordoni
In 1954, an eight-part serial, JESUS OF NAZARETH, depicted the life of Christ on screens — for the first time.
The series was made by the BBC and was created for the Sunday children’s hour slot, The Christian Post reported.
It was filmed in Galilee and Jerusalem. The BBC mixed pre-recorded episodes with live broadcasts from the Lime Grove Studio E in Ealing, England.
In February 1956, Freda Lingstrom, head of Children’s Television, said, “Our aim is to awaken the interest of children in the origins of the most significant influence in their lives and help them to understand something of the background against which the Christian story was enacted.”
Related: A BRIEF CHRONOLOGICAL SURVEY OF SOME OF THE MAJOR MOVIES & TV PROGRAMS FEATURING JESUS
Though it was made for children, adults enjoyed it, too. It achieved the highest viewing audience since the queen’s coronation.
The series starred Tom Fleming, Barbara Lott, Michael Bryant, Anthony Jacobs and Alan Wheatley.
The show’s creator, Joy Harington, wrote a book that tied in with the series. A review by the Times Educational Supplement reads, “Parents and Teachers are urged to put this altogether remarkable work into the hands of their children and then read it themselves…Its publication is an event of incalculable importance.”
The series won the 1956 Guild of Television Producers and Directors award. BBC broadcasted it again the next few years.
In 1960, Harington created a follow up series: PAUL OF TARSUS. In 1977, ITV made its own JESUS OF NAZARETH series.
Since the ’50s, there have been hundreds of times Jesus has been portrayed on screen. Most notably in recent times are Jonathan Roumie’s role in THE CHOSEN and Jim Caviezal’s in THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST.
Part of Movieguide®’s review of THE CHOSEN Season 4 Episode 1 reads, “… Episode 1 artistically expounds on the characters in an uplifting, Christ-centered, sometimes heartrending way. It champions the Bible, Jesus and the cost of following Him. THE CHOSEN SEASON 4: Episode 1 is an inspiring, faith-filled program for the family.”
Roumie said of playing Jesus, “My main goal is to portray Christ’s heart and love for all of humanity. For me, as an actor, that begins with relating to my scene partners and everyone around me with a much more open heart, a sense of compassion and kindness. When things have the opportunity to upset a person’s balance of peace, which happens often as humans, I try to see it as an opportunity to rise beyond that and practice compassion, patience and humility as often as I can.”
THE CHOSEN Season 6 is expected to come out in the fall.
Read Next: How Jonathan Roumie Navigates Jesus’ Humanity and Divinity in THE CHOSEN
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