By Kayla DeKraker
LORD OF THE RINGS actor John Rhys-Davies doesn’t take his role as narrator in “The Christ,” an upcoming podcast drama about Jesus’ story, lightly.
“Just speaking as an actor, everything you’re asked to do, you look at it and think, ‘What does it require? Can I do it? Is it interesting?’” he told Movieguide® of his approach to the podcast. “And, of course, you know, basically to cover in a few episodes the entire life of Christ, it’s a certain challenge, isn’t there, to tell a story. And don’t forget, this story has been told for 2,000 years by different people, poor people, slaves huddling in a wattle hut waiting to be shown to the Christians, great bishops, great orators, good actors.”
“The Christ” podcast series will release this Easter.
“Experience the story of Jesus like never before in ‘The Christ,’ a four-part podcast masterpiece,” a description reads. “You’re invited to embark on a profound spiritual journey.”
Other cast members include Tom Pelphrey as Jesus Christ, Paul Walter Hauser as John the Baptist, Courtney Hope as Mother Mary, David Oyelowo as Pontius Pilate and Patricia Heaton as the host.
Related: John Rhys Davies And The Impact Christianity Had On The West
The description continues, “’The Christ’ brings the gospel narrative vividly to life, from the humble manger to the victorious resurrection, through world-class voice talent, cinematic soundscapes and stirring music.”
Though Christ’s life has been told in numerous ways through the centuries, Rhys-Davies doesn’t fear the audiences’ opinions about this project and instead focused on telling the story genuinely.
“You’ve got to let it go, because it’s you now, and you’re going to tell the story, and if you tell the story, well, then it affects your imagination, and your imagination should enable you to come up with a personal and powerful and compelling narration,” he said.
“But I haven’t seen it yet, so I can’t tell you whether I achieved any of those things,” he laughed.
The Bible has “stood the test of time,” meaning that “The Christ” doesn’t need to add anything to the already powerful, life-changing story.
“If you start approaching it from effect, then it will be false. You know, let the words which have stood the test of time, let the words speak the words because they will already have, in many people’s minds, already have a resonance and a power and a connection meaning. But you know, you serve the script,” the actor said.
Rhys-Davies recognizes that biblical truths have shaped our civilization, something we shouldn’t lose sight of.
“The debt I sense and owe to Western European Christian civilization is enormous, and we all should recognize it,” he said. “This is a civilization born of Christianity. It has given us freedom of thought, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom to decide what it is we should believe, and that’s essentially the core of democracy.”
“The Christ”‘s four episodes will release throughout Holy Week this year, “beginning with Episode 1 on March 30, with one new episode released each day through April 2, making the full series available ahead of Good Friday, April 3,” RNS reported.
“Many have heard the story of Jesus preached, read it in Scripture, or seen it portrayed on screens large and small,” said Mark Ramsey, co-director and producer. “Through immersive sound, original production, and performances from stellar, award-winning actors, ‘The Christ’ brings listeners inside the moments that changed the world. This four-part audio epic invites audiences to hear the Gospel with fresh ears and experience the hope, love, sacrifice, and redemption at the heart of the story.”
“The Christ” will be available for free on TheChristPodcast.com or wherever you get your podcasts.
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