Passion TV series set for huge national impact
The Chair of the Churches’ Media Council
has written to a hundred national church leaders urging them to prepare
for the broadcast of BBC1’s series The Passion. In his letter Rev Dr
Joel Edwards says: “From time to time opportunities arise nationally
that provide significant moments for the Christian faith to engage with
our culture. One such opportunity will be the forthcoming BBC series The
Passion.” He expects the series to make “a huge national impact” over
the Easter season.
The series, which starts on Palm Sunday 16th March, will be scheduled in
peak time on BBC1. It is likely to attract audiences in excess of 10
million. It tells the story of the last week of Jesus’ life, His trial
and crucifixion. The last episode, to be broadcast on Easter Sunday 23rd
March, dramatises His post-resurrection appearances. It has been made by
award-winning drama producer Nigel Stafford-Clark, who was responsible
for Bleak House and Warriors. The cast includes Cold Feet star James
Nesbitt as Pilate and EastEnders actor Paul Nicholls as Judas Iscariot.
The part of Jesus is played by the relatively unknown Joseph Mawle, who
at 33 is the same age as Jesus during the events of the Passion.
A multi-denominational group convened by the Churches’ Media Council
today launched a website to provide resources and information about the
series. It can be found at
www.churchesmediacouncil.org.uk/passion. The group is encouraging
the Christian community to seize this “golden opportunity to contribute
to a contemporary public discussion about Jesus”. Guidelines on the site
encourage the Christian community to welcome the retelling of the
stories for a new generation, but to treat it as drama first rather than
theology.
Andrew Graystone, Director of the Churches’ Media Council, was
profoundly moved by early versions of the series: “This is an extremely
vivid piece of drama. You feel you are right there, in amongst the
Passover crowds, alongside the disciples as Jesus comes out with these
simple but earth-shattering messages. And then of course, He’s taken
away and makes the ultimate sacrifice, and like the disciples, you’re
left to decide what you are going to do about it.”
A hundred Christian leaders will be invited to a preview screening of
the series in February. Meanwhile a panel of speakers has been formed to
contribute to national press, radio and TV discussions. The Passion
website also has ideas to help local churches prepare for the series.
The website www.rejesus.co.uk
will act as a one-stop-shop for anyone who sees the series and wants to
explore Christian faith.
Andrew Graystone urged Christians to “cancel all leave” and prepare a
welcome for the series, describing it as “a once-in-a-generation
opportunity” to engage the whole nation in a public conversation about
the Christian message. “This Easter the whole country will be talking
about Jesus. Not about church politics or the finer points of theology,
but about Jesus.”
