Amazon Prime Video "House of David," a new international biblical drama series, promises to bring the legendary story of King David to life, offering viewers a fresh perspective on one of history's most iconic figures.
Michael Iskander stars as King David after an extensive casting search, following a global, four-month effort undertaken by Jon Erwin, Jon Gunn, and their collaborators, as noted by Variety. Iskander, an Egyptian-American actor who moved to the US at the age of nine, quickly mastered English and developed talents in music and songwriting.
Ayelet Zurer, known for her performances in "Daredevil" and "Losing Alice," plays Queen Ahinoam, David's wife. Ali Suliman, recognized for his roles in "Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan" and "Body of Lies," portrays King Saul, the ruler who feels threatened by the young David's presence in his court. Stephen Lang takes on the role of the prophet Samuel. "Of course, Samuel is really the ignition, I think, for this story in many ways," Lang said, according to Forbes.
"House of David" is a new biblical drama series from Wonder Project creative leaders Jon Erwin and Jon Gunn, known for projects like "Jesus Revolution" and "Ordinary Angels." Filming took place in Greece.
The series chronicles David's rise from an overlooked shepherd boy to becoming the third king of the united monarchy, exploring his journey to power and the tensions with King Saul. As King Saul's mental state declines, David embarks on a journey to discover and fulfill his destiny, navigating love, loss, and violence within the court of the very man he's destined to replace, Screen Rant notes.
Martyn Ford portrays Goliath, with credits in films such as "Robin Hood: The Rebellion" and "Fast & Furious 9."
Creator Jon Erwin began writing the script for "House of David" as a teenager after visiting King David's tomb in Jerusalem. "It just felt like this huge story to take on and to try to do justice," Erwin said, according to Fox News. He believes David's story resonates because he represents the original "underdog" who overcame the odds. "This is the original 'hero's journey,'" Erwin remarked.
"To have creative control of a Prime Video global release at this level of scope and scale is a miracle," Erwin stated. "But it's a miracle that I attribute to the audience and just how loud the audience has been saying we want more content, we want bigger and better things that we can watch with the whole family."
The series delves into David's life, depicting not only his battle with Goliath but also his struggles and growth as he rises to become Israel's most celebrated king. The narrative explores themes of leadership, faith, and destiny, as David navigates the complexities of his path.
"House of David" features Hollywood-scale production values, offering a sweeping narrative filled with drama, grit, and intensity. The series boasts grand vistas and battle sequences that rival those of cinema, promising audiences an immersive viewing experience, according to the Mirror.
Ayelet Zurer brings depth to the role of Queen Ahinoam, who, according to the Bible, is the mother of Jonathan and other of Saul's children. The series also includes performances by actors such as Oded Fehr as Abner and Yali Topol Margalith as Mirab, adding to its international cast.
The teaser, spanning just over two and a half minutes, features the tagline: "You know the legend. Now experience the journey." The trailer poses the thought-provoking question: "Can one stone change the course of history?".
In the trailer, the future king David is seen gathering stones from a brook for his confrontation with Goliath. David proclaims, "It is not about the greatness of the giant, it is about the greatness of God," and in a somber moment, he confesses his fear of facing Goliath and the Philistine army. The elder prophet Samuel tells David, "God does not see as man sees. He looks at the heart. And you, you have the heart of a lion."
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.