‘The Faithful’ centers women of the Bible, reinterpreting their stories and struggles

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A couple deeply in love longs to have children, but faces heartbreaking difficulties with getting pregnant. Meanwhile, a mother worries about her twin sons, knowing they’re likely to become rivals. And adding to the family drama, two sisters find themselves competing for the affection of the same man.

You might think these dramatic events belong in a TV show like those by Taylor Sheridan, but they’re actually found in the Bible, one of the most popular books ever written.

The Bible is full of powerful and moving stories, and Fox’s new three-part series, “The Faithful: Women of the Bible,” focuses on the important women from the Book of Genesis – Sarah, Hagar, Rebekah, Leah, and Rachel. The series begins Sunday with two episodes, followed by two more episodes each of the next two weeks. It starts with the story of Sarah (played by Minnie Driver), considered the first matriarch because she and her husband, Abraham (Jeffrey Donovan), are seen as the founders of the nation of Israel.

According to René Echevarria, the writer and showrunner, the series follows three generations of women and explores different kinds of marriages, building on the foundation laid by the story of Sarah and Abraham. Each episode essentially acts as a portrait of a unique marital dynamic.

You know, watching “The Faithful,” it struck me how almost miraculously the whole project came together. It’s a bit like one of those biblical stories! Apparently, producers Carol Mendelsohn and Julie Weitz weren’t even planning to pitch the idea when they walked into that fateful meeting with Fox. It just… happened. A truly unexpected origin story for a show that feels, at times, divinely inspired.

Mendelsohn remembers Julie telling him, ‘You can discuss our work, but let’s avoid talking about the Bible.’ However, when Fox President Michael Thorn asked about Mendelsohn’s most important project, Mendelsohn felt a sudden, overwhelming realization – like the biblical burning bush experience!

The show, titled “The Faithful,” was approved after Mendelsohn presented the idea. “It felt like it was meant to happen,” he says with a laugh.

It might seem surprising that Mendelsohn, the producer behind the popular “CSI” franchise and more recent dramas that didn’t involve religion, would create a series based on the Bible. However, his new project, “The Faithful,” shares a core element with his previous work. According to his partner, Weitz, they always focus on creating compelling characters, especially stories centered around women. They had been considering a project like this when “The Chosen,” a successful series about Jesus, debuted and gained widespread popularity.

Mendelsohn and Weitz decided to feature Echevarria, and as they researched the lives of these important women, they realized each deserved a full two-hour episode. According to Weitz, this decision stemmed from the fact that these women are foundational figures not only in Judaism, but also in Islam and Christianity – the world’s three major religions. Weitz also appreciates Fox’s scheduling strategy, noting the episodes will air on Sunday nights throughout Passover and leading up to Easter, making it a natural fit for the network.

Television

Jon Erwin and Jon Gunn, the show’s executive producers, talk about how they adapted the biblical story for their series and why they chose Michael Iskander to play the main character.

The show included both Christian and Jewish scholars to offer diverse viewpoints and support its storytelling goals. Many traditional versions of these old stories don’t fully develop female characters, so the creators felt comfortable offering fresh interpretations of the text. According to Echevarria, one of their Jewish scholars explained that what they were doing was similar to “midrash,” a long-standing Jewish practice of exploring stories and finding deeper meanings.

The show’s first episode delves into the story of Sarah from Genesis 16, who, after years of being unable to conceive despite a promise from God that she would have a child, asks her husband Abraham to have a child with Hagar (played by Natacha Karam), a former Egyptian slave. According to Driver, Sarah’s experience is relatable for many women, though little is definitively known about the historical figure. Driver believes Sarah wasn’t necessarily defying God, but rather a woman with a strong desire to have a child, deeply devoted to her husband.

Donovan points out that Sarah’s suggestion in Genesis 16—that Abraham have a child with Hagar—seems simple on the surface. However, he believes this single line reveals deep and complicated emotions. These struggles—infertility, surrogacy, and jealousy—are surprisingly relevant even today, thousands of years later. We still grapple with similar questions: dealing with the inability to conceive, considering alternative paths to parenthood, and the complex feelings of comparison and insecurity that arise.

While many viewers connected with Sarah’s struggles with infertility, some parts of the story, such as Abraham’s conversation with God, felt less immediate. “It was challenging to make that scene feel real,” explains Donovan. “I tried to imagine what it would be like to actually talk to God.”

Before filming this scene, I really wanted to understand what Abraham’s life was like. I saw the actor, already in costume, just sitting under a tree while the crew prepped, and he was really getting into it. He told me he was thinking about Abraham’s everyday struggles – getting up with the sun, caring for his sheep, just trying to survive and provide for his family. He kept asking himself, ‘How do I make it through the day?’ He felt that giving the character that level of respect needed some quiet time to really connect with that mindset. He actually said it was the hardest scene he’d filmed for the whole series.

As a film buff, I found the show really interesting because it doesn’t just focus on Sarah and Abraham’s marriage. It also beautifully explores the complex relationship between Sarah and Hagar. It starts when Sarah, after being freed from captivity, decides to bring Hagar with her, hoping to offer her a better life – it’s a really compelling dynamic to watch unfold.

As a movie fan, I’m really intrigued by what the director Karam said about Hagar. Apparently, she gets swept up into a story way bigger than her own life. It sounds like she forms a really intense bond with another woman, but it’s not all smooth sailing – there’s conflict too. Karam explained that their relationship starts with a clear power dynamic, one woman needing the other, but it evolves into something much more complex – a lifelong, complicated connection. It feels like the kind of relationship that will really drive the emotional core of the film.

The actress was pleased to see the story of Sarah and Hagar presented in a positive light, noting that hasn’t always happened. She explained that some versions of the story unfairly criticize both women, framing their actions as a power grab. While she acknowledges it’s upsetting, she wasn’t surprised by this negative spin.

Everyone involved with “The Faithful” emphasized that filming in Rome greatly enhanced the series’ authenticity. While the intense heat during outdoor scenes was challenging, actress Driver noted it actually added to the realism. She described the experience as brutal, but explained that being genuinely hot and exhausted helped convey the story’s emotional weight. Driver also spoke about Rome’s rich history, calling the entire experience a captivating and immersive “fever dream.”

The first episode focuses on the story of Sarah, Abraham, and Hagar, while the episode on March 29th introduces Rebekah (Alexa Davalos), who becomes the wife of Isaac (Tom Mison), Sarah and Abraham’s son. Like Sarah before her, Rebekah struggles with infertility for years, but eventually receives a divine message promising her twin sons, with the younger son destined to lead. The birth of her sons, Esau (Ben Robson) and Jacob (Tom Payne), places a heavy responsibility on Rebekah to ensure the fulfillment of God’s promise, no matter the cost. According to Weitz, the story explores how Rebekah’s determination to follow this destiny nearly tears her family apart.

The season concludes on April 5th, Easter Sunday, with Jacob—now living away from home—returning and finding himself caught between two sisters, Leah (Millie Brady) and Rachel (Blu Hunt). According to executive producer Echevarria, the episode has a slightly different, more dramatic, and modern feel. Producer Weitz explains that Jacob develops feelings for both sisters, but at different times and for different reasons, leading to a rivalry between them as they compete for his affection.

Awards

Wonder Project, the company that created the popular show ‘House of David,’ is part of a growing trend in Hollywood where production companies are creating religious or inspirational content for modern audiences.

Viewers have increasingly shown a strong interest in faith-based shows, making this three-week run of programs feel like a natural fit for television. A prime example is Prime Video’s popular series, “The Chosen,” which has depicted the life of Jesus Christ (Jonathan Roumie) over five seasons, with a sixth season focusing on the crucifixion planned for later this year. Additionally, Prime Video will release the second season of “House of David” on March 27th, telling the story of David (Michael Iskander) from his victory over Goliath to becoming king. Earlier this month, the Wonder Project concluded the first season of its modern drama, “It’s Not Like That,” featuring Scott Foley as a minister navigating grief and finding new love. And, as always, ABC will air the classic film “The Ten Commandments” on April 4th, continuing a beloved Easter tradition.

Why is faith-based television becoming so popular? According to Karam, it likely reflects the difficulties many people face in today’s world. These programs often tell stories of individuals going through incredibly tough times, searching for meaning and hope. Historically, these stories have always offered a sense of optimism, and Karam believes that’s what viewers are craving now – a way to understand and find hope amidst challenging circumstances.

With continued audience interest and strong viewership of “The Faithful,” the show’s creators have plenty of future storylines beyond those focused on the central female characters.

Echevarria explains that what sets their show apart is its unique source material and fresh approach. They aim to consistently offer a different take on the story, and it seems they’re succeeding in staying true to that vision.

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2026-03-20 13:33