Netflix has handed out a 10-episode series order to original drama series Messiah from executive producers Mark Burnett and Roma Downey (The Bible). The drama will premiere in 2019.
The drama will explore the lines among religion, faith and politics. It will chronicle the modern world's reaction to a man who first appears in the Middle East creating a groundswell of followers around him claiming he is the Messiah. Is he sent from God or is he a dangerous fraud bent on dismantling the world's geopolitical order? The story will be told from multiple points of view, including a young CIA agent, an Israeli Shin Bet officer, a Latino preacher and his Texan daughter, a Palestinian refuge and the media.
Michael Petroni created the drama. He executive produces with Burnett, Downey, Andrew Deane and director James McTeigue. Industry Entertainment produces.
"Messiah promises to be a fascinating series for viewers of every faith, and a thrilling drama filled with multi-layered characters set on a global stage," said Cindy Holland, Vice President of Originals, Netflix.
"Messiah will have every viewer asking the question 'is he or isn't he?' How you answer that question may reveal more about you than it does about the show. Messiah challenges us to examine what we believe and why," added Petroni.
"Messiah is a series that will have the audience asking big questions. What is someone showed up in 2018 amid strange occurrences and was thought to be the Messiah? What would society do? How would the media cover him? Would millions simply quit work? Could governments collapse?" said Downey and Burnett. "It's a series that could change everything."
