Zachary Levi, host of the new four-part Fox Nation docudrama “David: King of Israel,” informed Jewish Insider that the series’ initial episode launches Thursday. This program dramatically re-enacts King David’s biblical journey into adulthood, delivering timely insights for an era marked by conflict.
Levi, a Christian who grew up “reading all of the stories in the Bible,” stated, “It’s sadly an enduring narrative because humanity consistently finds itself embroiled in strife and warfare. The sole method to genuinely combat darkness is with light. David illustrates that irrespective of our mistakes, God’s love remains, and redemption is possible. I hope this message resonates globally.”
The acclaimed actor, known for roles in “Shazam!,” “Chuck,” and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” went on to say, “David’s story consistently captivated me, perhaps even more so than Jesus’. It’s replete with drama, mystery, love, deceit, and conflict—truly ‘Lord of the Rings’ within a biblical context.” For this recent endeavor, Levi delivers narration from an LED stage in Los Angeles, creating the illusion of moving through ancient biblical landscapes and settlements.
Jonathan Towers, Fox Nation’s vice president of development, informed JI that most of the series was filmed in South Africa. This decision stemmed from the nation’s “extensive experience with faith-oriented productions,” which means “biblical sets and attire are readily accessible domestically, alongside a skilled acting pool highly familiar with such projects. Nahum Hughes, a South African actor portraying David, is a prime example of this strong acting talent,” Towers explained.
Warm Springs Productions created the series, with executive producers including David Cunningham, Marc Pierce, Chris Richardson, and Bridger Pierce. The production team sought advice from historians, archaeologists, and both Jewish and Christian biblical scholars, such as Rabbi Meir Soloveitchik, Rabbi Pesach Wolicki, and Ze’ev Orenstein, who directs the City of David in Israel.
Cunningham shared with JI that “creative liberties” were sometimes employed for costumes when “scriptural accounts and historical data were ambiguous.”
Cunningham further stated, “However, in areas supported by evidence, such as priestly vestments or Goliath’s armor, we utilized our available resources to the fullest extent to ensure historical fidelity. This approach also guided the overall art direction.”
This docudrama debuts a year after Christian filmmakers Jon Gunn and Jon Erwin launched their eight-part “House of David” series, which rapidly climbed to become the second-most viewed program on Prime Video. Levi commented that the new production “enhances” “House of David” by “directly exploring the historical and biblical foundations” rather than incorporating “some artistic interpretation for entertainment purposes.”
In a 2016 interview, Levi revealed he was often rejected for parts due to “appearing too Jewish,” even though he is a devout Christian. This was because casting directors drew conclusions from his professional name (Levi is his middle name; Pugh is his surname).
Despite increasing antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment in Hollywood, Levi expressed no apprehension regarding potential criticism for his involvement in the “King David” series. He believes, on the contrary, that sharing this narrative could foster interfaith harmony. Concurrently, Levi finds it perplexing that some Jewish individuals in the entertainment industry have “apparently abandoned their own heritage and ancestry.”
He declared, “I follow my own path in Hollywood.” He continued, “I am convinced that upholding what is right and championing the light ensures you are never mistaken. I’m exasperated, not just with Hollywood, but with the broader world’s occasional failure to perceive reality. Many within Hollywood are disoriented and bewildered by these matters. My hope is they recognize the falsehoods they embrace and propagate. We must discover a method to halt the corruption of our intellects. We inhabit peculiar times. It’s imperative that we unite and share narratives imbued with redemption and optimism.”