By Shawn Smith
Angel Studios just dropped a trailer for their upcoming TV series TESTAMENT that will be available for streaming on the Angel app June 8.
The series, which is a continuation of the 2022 movie TESTAMENT: THE PARABLES RETOLD, tells the story of the early church but in a present-day setting.
“Like the original film, TESTAMENT has been incredibly well received by the Angel Guild,” President of Angel Studios Jordan Harmon said in a press release. “Our hope is that this series, which vividly reimagines the Book of Acts, will captivate audiences in an entirely fresh way.”
The cast includes Eben Figueiredo as Saul, Charlie Beaven as Stephen, Mogali Masuku as Mary of Magdala, Tom Simper as Peter, Stewart Scudamore as Gamaliel and Yasmin Paige as Mara.
Paul Syrstad, who wrote and directed the movie, returns to the director’s chair for TESTAMENT and also serves as cowriter for the series along with Kenneth Omole and Faith Syrstad.
Paul’s desire to reach the Gen Z audience influenced his decision to take these biblical stories and put them into a modern setting.
“They like asking questions,” he told CBN’s Faithwire. “But there’s this immediate disconnect with tunics and sandals, which is a shame, because I think once you watch shows that have tunics and sandals — once you’re in, you’re in.”
Although both the movie and series “are ripping it out of its timeline and its true historical setting,” Syrstad wants the story to stay true to the New Testament.
“It’s incredibly important to stay to the spirit of the text, the spirit of the message, the heart of it, and ultimately, what the book of Acts is trying to tell us,” the director continued. “… Hopefully the series just invites people to have a relook at that.”
Related: Angel Studios Begins Production of New Series TESTAMENT From Book of Acts
Stewart Scudamore, in a behind-the-scenes look at TESTAMENT, shared his excitement to be part of the project.
“There’s a fantastic group of people that Paul, Jackie[producer] and the team have assembled,” he said. “It’s a company that feels like we’re all on the same page. We want to tell a story. Get that story told in the best way we can.”
He especially looks forward to the series will show the relationship between his character Gamaliel and Saul.
“Saul is my mentee, but it’s also like a sort of the way that our relationship is paternal elements, or paternalistic element of side of Gamaliel and the teachings that he’s offered to Saul over time,” he said. “We both have a stubbornness to our character.”
Meanwhile, Angel Studios recent animated surprise hit THE KING OF KINGS has earned so far, per Box Office Mojo, taking over $54,000,000 domestically and over $58,000,000 globally in theater sales.
Read Next: Here’s Why THE KING OF KINGS Just Broke a 1998 Box Office Record
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