Produced by Scott Free Productions, National Geographic Channel has announced casting for the upcoming film, Killing Jesus.
Based on the best-selling book by Bill O’Reilly, the film will star Kelsey Grammer as King Herod, Haaz Sleiman as Jesus and Stephen Moyer as Pontius Pilot.
"The film Killing Jesus will break new ground in chronicling the life of the most famous human being who ever lived,” said executive producer O’Reilly. “The superb cast and script reflect much thought and research. Viewers are in for something very different and very special."
U.K.-based Chris Menaul is the director for the fall project, with the help of Oscar-and Emmy Award-winning screenwriter Walon Green in his teleplay.
Killing Jesus will premiere in 171 countries in 45 languages in 2015, including Nat Geo Mundo in Spanish.
“The combined talent of this incredible cast is unparalleled, and we can't wait to see what this team of actors can do," said executive producer Moran. “With this stellar cast and breathtaking script by Walon based on Bill’s page-turner, we are going to explore the seismic political and historical events that surrounded the life and death of Jesus as never before.”
Casting is as follows:
Aneurin Barnard (“The White Queen”) as James
Emmanuelle Chriqui (“Entourage”) as Herodia
John Rhys Davies (“Indiana Jones”) as Annas
Vernon Dobtcheff (“Before Sunset”) as Isaiah
Joe Doyle (“Reign”) as Judas
Tamsin Egerton (“The Look of Love”) as Claudia
Abhin Galeya (“Cleanskin”) as John the Baptist
Stephanie Leonidas (“Defiance”) as Salome
John Lynch (“Sliding Doors”) as Nicodemus
Eoin Macken (“The Night Shift”) as Antipas
Alexis Rodney (“Guardians of the Galaxy”) as Simon (Peter)
Rufus Sewell (“Hercules”) as Caiaphas
With Haaz Sleiman (“The Visitor”) in the title role as Jesus
Stephen Moyer (“True Blood”) as Pontius Pilate
and Kelsey Grammer (“Partners,” “Boss”) as King Herod
