Today NBC released the first official photo of Juan Pablo as Jesus Christ in their much-anticipated sequel to their blockbuster The Bible miniseries titled A.D. No, it’s not that Juan Pablo, but Argentinian actor Juan Pablo di Pace, who has previously graced the small screens with roles on NBC’s Camp and TNT’s Dallas.
A.D. is set to premiere on Easter Sunday, 2015, and the 12 episodes will pick up The Bible‘s story after the crucifixion with a focus on Mary and Jesus’ posse of followers and disciples. Speaking of Mary, the network also released this next photo featuring John the Baptist (Babou Ceesay), Mother Mary (Greta Scacchi), and Mary Magdalene (Chipo Chung):
Juan Pablo took to Twitter to share his excitement at officially being announced as Jesus Christ:
Hello all. Tomorrow there's an exciting announcement from NBC… (It's not Dallas, sorry folks)
— Juan Pablo Di Pace (@juanpablodipace) November 5, 2014
Humbled and happy to be playing HIM.
http://t.co/z9XZIJHAtE
— Juan Pablo Di Pace (@juanpablodipace) November 5, 2014
Executive Producer Roma Downey talked about the task of casting such an epic project. “Christianity is among the most diverse movements in history, so when Mark [Burnett] and I looked to bring this epic story of A.D. to life on NBC, it was important to us to find a cast as diverse and beautiful as the church is around the world,” she said.
And here is that cast with some of their tweets:
Jesus – Juan Pablo di Pace (Dallas)
"Excited to be plying Jesus in @ADTheSeries coming Easter Sunday to @nbc. #ADTheSeries” pic.twitter.com/lvffVoaAJ8
— Juan Pablo Di Pace (@juanpablodipace) November 5, 2014
Mother Mary – Greta Scacchi (Agatha Christie)
John – Babou Ceesay (Luther)
Peter – Adam Levy (Borgia)
Pilate – Vincent Regan (The Musketeers)
Mary Magdalene – Chipo Chung (Sherlock)
Saul – Emmet Scanlan (Constantine)
Being part of #AD on #NBC,playing the iconic SAUL is why I do this
chances like these are rare
Thanks @RealRomaDowney & @MarkBurnettTV
— Emmett J. Scanlan (@EmmettScanlan) November 5, 2014
Caiaphas – Richard Coyle (Crossbones)
Leah, wife of Caiaphas – Jodhi May (The Crimson Field)
Claudia, wife of Pilate – Joanne Whalley (The Borgias)
??? – Claire Cooper
So turns out myself & my Irish beau @EmmettScanlan get to dance on screen together again #ADTheSeries #nbc #believe
— CLAIRE COOPER (@CLAIREECOOPER) November 5, 2014
Thrilled to announce I have been cast in @ADTheSeries coming Easter Sunday to @nbc. #ADTheSeries”
@RealRomaDowney @MarkBurnettTV
— CLAIRE COOPER (@CLAIREECOOPER) November 5, 2014
??? – Jóhannes Jóhannesson
Excited to be cast in @ADTheSeries coming Easter Sunday to @nbc. #ADTheSeries Read about it on Deadline: http://t.co/k6F90DFDHA
— Jóhannes Jóhannesson (@johanneshaukur) November 5, 2014
NBC’s A.D. premieres April 5, 2015.
Please keep your prayers coming for our new series AD filming the crucifixion today on location @ADtheseries #ad pic.twitter.com/nMI80wzc2K
— Roma Downey (@RealRomaDowney) October 18, 2014
Well it's official. A.D. is in production. Will post updates from set right here. Love, Roma & Mark #EasterOnNBC pic.twitter.com/6MPR9afhfJ
— A.D. (@ADtheseries) October 2, 2014
Top photos: Joe Alblas/Lightworkers Media/NBC
