Of Kings and Prophets is an American period drama television series developed by Adam Cooper and Bill Collage and based on the Biblical Books of Samuel, which follows an ensemble of characters including Saul and David, the successive Kings of Israel, their families, and their political rivals.
The series is an epic biblical saga of faith, ambition and betrayal as told through the eyes of the battle-weary King Saul, the resentful prophet Samuel and the resourceful young shepherd David - all on a collision course with destiny that will change the world.
One thousand years before Christ, the first king of the Israelites, Saul, struggles to unify the 12 Israelite tribes and defend his fledgling nation against savage enemy attacks.
The prophet Samuel relays a message from God to King Saul that he must destroy one of Israel's ancient enemies. But when Saul defies that message, Samuel prophesies that the Lord will tear the kingdom of Israel from him and choose another in his place.
In time, Saul comes to realise that his greatest threat will not come from his enemies, but from the shepherd, David.
The series stars Ray Winstone as King Saul, Olly Rix as David, Mohammad Bakri as Samuel, Simone Kessell as Queen Ahinoam, Nathaniel Parker as King Achish, Haaz Sleiman as Jonathan, James Floyd as Ishbaal, Maisie Richardson-Sellers as Michal, Jeanine Mason as Merav and David Walmsley as Joab.
Set in Israel, the show was filmed in the Western Cape in South Africa at two locations: interior scenes were shot in Stellenbosch and the city of Gibeah was filmed on a hill in Durbanville. A number of recurring, guest, cameo and extra roles were played by South African actors.
Of Kings and Prophets was developed by Adam Cooper and Bill Collage. The executive producers are Chris Brancato, Adam Cooper, Bill Collage, Reza Aslan, Mahyad Tousi. The series was produced by ABC Studios.
Starring
Ray Winstone
as
King Saul
Simone Kessell
as
Queen Ahinoam
Nathaniel Parker
as
King Achish
Maisie Richardson-Sellers
as
Michal
Broadcast Notes
Although nine episodes were made, only two aired in the USA before ABC cancelled the series; the remaining seven episodes never aired in the US. The entire series was first shown in New Zealand on TVNZ's On Demand online platform.