FOX Entertainment Studios enters the biblical drama arena with its cinematic new series “The Faithful: The Women of the Bible,” which premiered with its first two episodes on March 22. The series, which was filmed in Rome and Matera, Italy, will air throughout the Easter and Passover season on FOX and the next day on Hulu.
This landmark project is based on stories from the Book of Genesis as told through the eyes of the courageous and passionate, yet flawed women whose descendants would shape the future of faith as we know it today.
Dimensional, dramatic, intimate, even surprising, “The Faithful” is about discovering and losing love, the challenges of marriage, the joys and heartbreak of children, confronting temptation, and finding faith. Episodes of the series will be told through the lens of five of The Old Testament’s most regarded women—Sarah and her servant Hagar, Sarah’s great-niece Rebekah, and Rebekah’s nieces, sisters Leah and Rachel.
“’The Faithful’ follows The Old Testament’s heroic, Biblical matriarchs and opens a new lane of storytelling at FOX,” said Michael Thorn, President of FOX Television Network. “This show is the definition of strong, female character-driven storytelling, exploring timeless themes that originated thousands of years ago, yet remain startlingly modern and relatable.”
The series is the latest biblical drama appealing to faith audiences, following the breakout hits “The Chosen” from Dallas Jenkins, “House of David” from Wonder Project and “The Bible” series from Mark Burnett and Roma Downey. Actor and director Mel Gibson is also preparing his follow-up to the groundbreaking film “The Passion of the Christ,” which amassed more than $612 million at the box office, to release in Easter 2027.
The first two episodes of “The Faithful,” “The Woman Who Bowed to No One” stars Minnie Driver (“Good Will Hunting,” “Circle of Friends”) as Sarah, Jeffery Donovan (“Fargo,” “Burn Notice”) as Abraham and Natacha Karam (“9-1-1: Lone Star”) as Hagar. In the episodes, Sarah feels incomplete without the child that has been promised to her and her husband, Abraham, by God. After braving isolation, famine, the ire of Pharaoh, and several more years of barrenness, she resorts to her own plan to bring a child into the world involving her maidservant Hagar and Abraham. However, jealousy soon sets in after Hagar gives birth to Ishmael. Then a miracle happens, and personal freedoms are at odds with long-held grievances and shattered love.
In the following episodes, airing for the next two Sundays leading to the Easter finale, drama continues. Rebekah, intent on securing her favored child’s destiny, intervenes in her sons’ lives, setting into motion a legacy of sibling rivalry and division. And once inseparable sisters, Leah and Rachel become rivals in love and motherhood, building a fractured but foundational family whose descendants will carry the weight of history. Through longing, sacrifice, and perseverance, these women leave an enduring imprint on a story much bigger than their own.
In episodes three and four, airing March 29 and focusing on Rebekah, Tom Payne appears as Jacob alongside Alexa Davalos as Rebekah, Tom Mison as her husband Isaac, and Ben Robson as Esau. Millie Brady leads as Leah in episode five and six, with Blu Hunt portraying her younger sister Rachel, alongside James Purefoy as their father Laban. Rounding out the ensemble are Taylor Napier as Acar, Will Stevens as Birham, and Payne returning as Jacob.
Danny Cannon (“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation”) directed and executive produce the premiere. Carol Mendelsohn (“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation”), Julie Weitz (“Game of Silence”) and Rene Echevarria (“Carnival Row”) serve as executive producers.
“Carol, Julie and Rene bring unbelievable depth, dimension, intimacy and surprise to stories so many think they know but will completely rediscover through this powerful new lens,” Thorn added.
“The Faithful” premiered March 22 with subsequent episodes releasing March 29 and April 5 on FOX and the next day on Hulu.
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