Killing Jesus

Haaz Sleiman as Jesus of Nazareth in National Geographic Channel's Killing Jesus.

PAY-TV

Killing Jesus

FRIDAY, 4.30PM, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

Regardless of whether or not you’re a believer, this dramatic retelling of the years leading up to Jesus’ death — from escaping King Herod’s brutal slaughter of boys under the age of two to his later crucifixion — is powerful to say the least.

Aptly airing on Good Friday, this epic three-hour telemovie has been brought to life by a team of seasoned executive producers including Ridley Scott, who worked in collaboration with National Geographic’s Bill O’Reilly (also behind the channel’s other biopics, Killing Kennedy and Killing Lincoln).

While little-known actor Haaz Sleiman does a fine job as Jesus, there are some bigger names among the cast including True Blood’s Stephen Moyer (as Pontias Pilate) and Kelsey Grammer who has a short-lived role as King Herod.