The Bible comes to life on TV3 this Christmas.

For further information:

Sharon McHugh
TV3 PRESS OFFICE
+3531 419 3430 / 087 922 4143
sharon.mchugh@tv3.ie
publicity@tv3.ie

Ciara Byrne
+353 1 419 3329 / 087 3199732
ciara.byrne@tv3.ie

TV3 GROUP RELEASE                                                                               

IMMEDIATE: Thursday 19th December 2013.

 

The Bible comes to life on TV3 this Christmas.

 

This outstanding miniseries proved a massive hit in the US, with over 13 million viewers tuning in to watch the first episode.

 

Produced by the Emmy Award winning husband and wife team, Mark Burnett and Roma Downey

 

The Bible airs from Saturday 21st December 2013 at 9pm on TV3

 

Interviews available on request

 

TV3 brings ‘The Bible’ exclusively to Irish screens this Christmas as the Emmy Award winning husband and wife team, Mark Burnett and Roma Downey produce this epic 10 hour miniseries. Roma Downey, best known for her role as Monica in Touched by an Angel, hails from County Derry in Northern Ireland and also stars as the Mother Mary alongside Diogo Morgado, who plays Jesus, in this brand new hit miniseries.

 

This outstanding drama proved a massive hit in the US, with over 13 million viewers tuning in to watch the first episode. From Genesis to Revelation, these unforgettable stories unfold through live action and cutting-edge computer-generated imagery, offering new insight into famous scenes and iconic characters. This blockbuster docudrama explores the story of God's creation of the Earth and the landmark events leading up to the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

 

In the opening programme we see the perfect beginnings, however mankind soon falters and God sends a devastating flood. Noah’s descendent Abraham hears the voice of God and is promised a land and a nation - a seemingly impossible outcome as his wife Sarah cannot bear children.  Yet, through a series of tests, Abraham’s faith holds out, and he is rewarded with a family. His descendants form the twelve tribes of Israel and God’s chosen people begin to populate the Promised Land. But famine strikes, and the Israelites are forced into exile to Egypt, where they are brutally enslaved by Pharaoh. They now need a new leader to save them.

 

The chosen man is Moses and, after God appears to him in a vision, he knows what must be done. Bravely and dramatically, Moses leads his people out of exile, across the Red Sea, and back towards the Promised Land. In the wilderness, God renews his promise of a land and nation of their own, but they must live by the rules. Moses accepts from God the Ten Commandments, a moral framework for the just society the Israelites must forge when they reach the Promised Land.

 

The Bibleairs:

Saturday 21st December 2013 at 9pm

Sunday 22nd December 2013 at 9pm

Monday 23rd December 2013 at 9pm

Friday 27th December 2013 at 9pm

Saturday 28th December 2013 at 9pm

 

Images have been sent to your picture desks.

 

ENDS

 

For further information
Ciara Byrne

Press Officer

00353 1 419 3329

00353 87 319 9732

 

Sharon McHugh
Head of Press & Publicity

00353 1 419 3430
00353 87 922 4143

publicity@tv3.ie                        
www.tv3.ie

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NOTES TO EDITOR:

 

THE BIBLE

 

New Miniseries

 

21:00 Saturday 21stDecember, 2013

 

In The Beginning/Exodus

New to TV3, The Bible is an epic 10 hour television miniseries from Emmy Award winning husband and wife team, Mark Burnett and Roma Downey. Viewers will see the Bible from Genesis to Revelation come to life in a way never before seen. In the opening programme Noah endures the wrath of God; Abraham is forced to choose between his two sons, casting both Hagar and Ishmael into the wilderness. The Israelites are led out of Egypt. Moses puts his faith in God and is rewarded with an awesome miracle: the Red Sea parts, allowing the Israelites to escape (1/5).

 

THE BIBLE

 

21:00 Sunday 22nd December, 2013

 

Homeland/Kingdom

Joshua, continuing Moses’ quest to secure the Promised Land, takes the city of Jericho. Samson is tested when his strength is removed at the hands of his betraying lover Delilah, and David battles Goliath. Samuel is told by God that David will be the next king of Israel, and Samuel duly anoints him. But anointing a new king whilst the current one still reigns is a dangerous move which threatens to throw the new nation into civil war (2/5).

 

THE BIBLE

 

21:00 Monday 23rdDecember, 2013

 

Survival/Hope

The city of Jerusalem is taken by the ruthless and powerful leader of Babylon, King Nebuchadnezzar. The Jews lose their city and are led on a forced exile back to Babylon where they are enslaved; Daniel is thrown into the lions' den, the Jews are enslaved in Babylon; Daniel is thrown into the lions’ den, but when his faith endures and God spares him, the Jews are allowed to return to Jerusalem; the Angel Gabriel tells Mary she will bear a child; Joseph takes Mary to Bethlehem for the census, where Jesus is born; the Holy family escapes Herod’s order to kill Bethlehem’s male babies; Judea comes under the ruthless rule of Pilate; John baptizes Jesus, who is now ready to take on his mission - and his revolution (3/5).

 

THE BIBLE

 

21:00 Friday 27th December, 2013

 

Mission/Betrayal

Jesus feeds the crowds in Galilee and brings a dead man, Lazarus, back to life. He later enters Jerusalem riding on a donkey - a declaration that he is the Messiah.  Jesus turns on the money-changers in the Temple, while Caiphas coaxes Judas into betraying him. The disciples are thrown into turmoil by Jesus’ announcement that their shared supper together will be their last. Christ is arrested and condemned to death as the disciples scatter. He is tied up and faces trial by the Jewish elders, despite Nicodemus’ protestations. The accusation: blasphemy. The punishment: death. Caiaphas finds Jesus guilty and the crowd outside is told the verdict. Everyone feels betrayed (4/5).

 

THE BIBLE

 

Miniseries Finale

 

21:00 Saturday 28th December, 2013

 

Passion/Courage

Peter denies Jesus and Judas hangs himself; the crowd clamors for Jesus’s death; Jesus is crucified, but when Mary Magdalene goes to his tomb, a figure walks towards her - he is back; Jesus commissions the disciples to “go and preach to all creation,” but their godly mission meets with hatred and even death; Paul has a vision and experiences a miraculous change of faith on a journey to Damascus; John receives a revelation - Jesus is coming back, and all who keep the faith will be rewarded. Peter denies Jesus and Judas hangs himself; the crowd clamors for Jesus's death; Jesus is crucified, but when Mary Magdalene goes to his tomb, a figure walks towards her - he is back (5/5).