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‘House of David’ isn’t just a religious show, exec producers say. It’s ‘a war of houses’

BBG News

A writer of psalms, a shepherd, and a harp player – these aren’t your usual traits for a hero, especially one who would be the basis for an ambitious new TV series. But when this extraordinary hero is none other than young David (portrayed by Michael Iskander), a man destined to have moments that define history like slaying the mighty Goliath (Martyn Ford) and ascending to the throne of Israel, the creation of “House of David” seems almost inevitable.

Initially, it wasn’t assumed that this inspiring tale primarily based on the Bible would end up being distributed by Amazon’s Prime Video. As executive producer Jon Erwin (“Jesus Revolution”) admits, they were considering an independent production at the time. However, meetings with Amazon transformed everything. The fact that Amazon recognized our audience and granted us such resources while still giving us creative control was a significant surprise and a miracle.

Similar to the acclaimed scripted series “The Chosen,” featuring Jonathan Roumie as Jesus Christ, its creator has revealed that the fifth season will debut on Amazon Prime Video in June (following a cinema release in March). The viewers tuning in aren’t primarily seeking faith-based content; instead, they appreciate high-quality television, aligning with the original “House of David” concept.

According to executive producer Jon Gunn, our aim isn’t to create a program with religious themes. Instead, we’re striving to develop an engaging show that we ourselves would enjoy watching. If the production turns out well, it won’t be about religion at all. It will focus on these characters and their experiences, living this particular story in their unique moment.

The narrative unfolds in “House of David’s” initial season, spanning eight episodes, and sets off on the outskirts of Bethlehem around 1000 B.C. We follow David, a young shepherd boy skilled with the harp and psalms, as he guards the king’s flock. However, his life takes an unexpected turn when he is chosen to become the future king and, in a daring act, uses a solitary rock to fell a colossal foe. The series also explores the rivalries between the House of Saul and the House of Samuel, hinting at Erwin that this is “a war of houses.

According to Erwin, the stories presented in the show primarily draw inspiration from three biblical chapters found in the book of First Samuel. Furthermore, he emphasizes that the Psalms attributed to David (approximately 70 of them) played a crucial role in portraying a complex character with a relatable human experience. Erwin explains that while there are some psalms expressing gratitude for a good life, most of them convey feelings of depression and self-doubt, capturing the full range of human emotions in an exceptionally honest and authentic manner.

To bring these extraordinary tales to life, it was crucial that we discovered the ideal actor who could convincingly portray the future king. This person needed to meet all the requirements on an extensive list. As Gunn explains, “We were looking for a David, still a teenager, not yet a man, someone with the potential to grow into a strong leader and warrior, but retaining the spirit of a youngster who was restless with his father being confined at home and yearning for more.

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The ideal candidate for this role should be an actor of Middle Eastern origin, capable of portraying a character grappling with both external and internal struggles convincingly. Moreover, he must possess singing abilities. As time passed without finding the right person for this role, Gunn admits to moments of doubt, questioning if they could successfully produce ‘House of David’.

However, it was a self-taped audition from newcomer Iskander, who had only one Broadway show (“Kimberly Akimbo”) under his belt and no television experience, that ultimately came to the rescue. Iskander recalls that he was familiar with the story of David from Sunday school, but it was during his viewing of “The Chosen” that he declared his future role aloud. He expressed, “I thought, ‘I’d love to be a part of something like this one day.’ I shared my ambition with my family, and they questioned who I could play. I replied, ‘perhaps King David.’ Amazingly, three years later, an email arrived inviting me to audition for the role of David.

At first, he was informed that he didn’t get the role of David. For a few weeks, he set aside the idea of portraying David. However, another opportunity to audition presented itself, so he jumped at the chance. He recalled his mother’s words, saying, “You should start praying and fasting immediately,” so that’s exactly what he did. In addition, he worked with a coach to perfect his audition tape, which eventually reached Gunn and Erwin.

According to Gunn, everything seemed to pause, and for about ten seconds, he stood there in wonder before asking himself, “But isn’t that too good to be true? Can he actually sing?

In response, Iskander had indeed presented a rendition of Billy Joel’s song “Vienna”, prompting an immediate arrangement for him to meet with Erwin in New York City. As the actor recounts, he was informed that the meeting might last anywhere from 1 hour (if excellent) to around 30 minutes (if average). However, the encounter extended for a remarkable three hours, with Erwin eventually expressing his conviction: “I truly feel you are meant for this role. There seems to be a predestined connection here.

One key advantage that played a significant role in the actor’s success was his athleticism. As Gunn puts it, “He not only had the right appearance, feel, and spirit, but he also possessed the physical prowess to perform the authentic sling as we envisioned.” To prepare for filming, Iskander trained with an expert in ancient weaponry, but as he points out, “In high school, I participated in shot put and discus. The technique was remarkably similar. It took me just three days, and I became proficient not only with the sling, but also with various combinations.

In the portrayal of the legendary David and Goliath encounter, Iskander’s athletic skills would certainly be beneficial. However, there’s another aspect of the character, David, that Iskander found intriguing – an understated emotional depth. As Iskander explains, “I considered the bravery it requires to challenge a giant as a shepherd, but also the magnitude of love he carried.” According to Iskander, “David was not motivated by hatred for Goliath, but by his deep love for the people he protected and his devotion to his God, which surpassed any fear or intimidation from the giant.” This aspect of love and the burden it represented was a surprise and a fascinating part of the character for Iskander.

To make the battle seem authentic, they decided to minimize the use of heavy special effects. They pointed out movies such as “Gladiator” and “Braveheart,” both classics that conveyed grand narratives without relying too much on advanced technology.

As a movie critic, I found myself deeply appreciative of this cinematic gem, which seems to be a heartfelt tribute to the bygone era of filmmaking that was rooted firmly in authenticity and practical effects. Erwin expresses this sentiment beautifully, highlighting the use of forced perspective. Similarly, Gunn adds an interesting perspective; they’ve engineered compact cameras and filming equipment that enables them to delve into the breathtaking landscapes of Greece without the feel of a colossal production.

Choosing to film primarily south of Athens in Greece enabled us to preserve a genuine magnificence for the production, as Erwin explains. He desired locations that were just as profound as the feelings portrayed, stating, “We aimed to put ourselves at a disadvantage by going to some of these extraordinary, earth-shattering places around the world where the sheer power of the landscape itself amplified our efforts.

As Gunn points out, the places we’re filming feature ancient structures perched atop mountains, which are believed to be over a thousand years old.

While David’s name dominates the show’s title, it becomes clear that Goliath is not just about his immense size. As the story unfolds, we discover that he has a family, including his mother (portrayed by Sian Webber), and there are legends associated with the Nephilim that add depth to his character. According to Gunn, this humanization process makes us empathize with Goliath, understanding the emotional forces driving both David and Goliath during their eventual confrontation.

Despite the grandeur of “House of David,” its most powerful aspect lies in debunking the myths surrounding it. As Gunn explains, it transforms into tales about connections, families, and parent-child dynamics. Essentially, this sweeping narrative serves as a backdrop for a deeply human tale.

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2025-02-27 14:33

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