Roma Downey says audiences will be taken “an intimate journey with Jesus” as His life — and death – are depicted in detail in “Son of God,” the Derry actress/producer’s first big screen movie which goes on release at the end of the movie.
Roma (right) as Mary, mother of Jesus.
Last year, Roma and her TV producer husband Mark Burnett and actress Roma Downey stunned audiences with “The Bible,” the popular History Channel mini-series that brought scenes from the Holy Text to life.
Now, one year after the record-breaking show’s release, the husband-and-wife duo is set to bring Jesus to the big screen with “Son of God.”
According to an official description, the movie covers Christ’s life “from His humble birth through His teachings, crucifixion and ultimate resurrection.”
While the film is meant to entertain, Roma said she also hoped it would have a monumental spiritual impact as well.
In an interview with TheBlaze, she said she hoped audiences leave cinemas feeling they knew Jesus more and that they be reminded of how deeply “He loved us.”
“This is a big, epic sweeping film — an exciting movie and sometimes a tense movie with intense drama and real danger,” she said.
Roma said viewers would travel on “an intimate journey with Jesus” as His life — and death — are depicted in detail.
From start to finish, Jesus, played by Portuguese actor Diogo Morgado, is shown as caring, prolific and in-tune with the masses and individuals He encountered throughout his ministry.
From His journey with the apostles to the events that led to His crucifixion, the film is character-driven in its quest to bring central portions of the New Testament to life.
“At the end you feel incredibly humbled and loved — reminded that we are all children of God,” Roma added.
To date, the film has received positive feedback.
Roma added: “We have felt support across all denominations – businesses are buying out whole theaters and donating the seats to churches, encouraging folks to come opening weekend and to bring a friend and to bring the whole family.”
Roma Downey.
She concluded: “We believe this message of hope and love will touch the lives of millions.”
Meanwhile, NBC has given the official green light to “A.D.,” the sequel to”The Bible.”
“A.D.,” to be written by Simon Block (The Shooting of Thomas Hurndall), will be a 12-part mini-series and is expected to premiere in Spring next year.
Roma and her husband are also working on the mini-series “The Dovekeepers” for CBS.
The Derry actress/producer will later this year receive an honorary degree of Doctor of Fine Arts for her “outstanding contribution to acting and philanthropy” at the University of Ulster’s Magee College.
The star will be among 24 recipients who will receive honorary awards from the university this year.
Previous recipients at Magee include President Bill and Hilary Clinton, Snow Patrol’s Gary Lightbody, actors Stephen Rea and Amanda Burton, and Paddy Ashdown, former leader of the Liberal Democrat Party.
Roma has a Bachelor of Arts from Brighton College of Art and a Masters Degree in Spiritual Psychology obtained from the University of Santa Monica.
Along with husband Mark, she received an honorary degree from Pepperdine University in the US in 2009.
The couple wed in April 2007 in their Malibu home.
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