Life Of Jesus Christ Explored In Landmark BBC Doc Series

EXCLUSIVE: The life of Jesus Christ will be the subject of a BBC doc series from Wonderhood Studios.

The series, which is currently untitled and planned to broadcast in 2027, will run to four parts and use new historical research, archaeological discoveries, technological innovations and expert testimony to build a fresh picture of the religious icon.

Jesus’ story will be told in “visceral, intimate detail” drawing on testimony from the Gospels and elsewhere to shape a picture of the world he inhabited and the foundations inspired by his movement. Also explored are the ” turbulent political, social, religious and cultural forces that shaped his life and legacy,” and major Christian thinkers, and Jewish and Muslim faith leaders will contribute.

Jack Bootle, Head of Specialist Factual at the BBC commissioned the series alongside Daisy Scalchi, Head of Religion and Ethics, BBC. Rory Wheeler, Samantha Anstiss and Tom Garton are the executive producers and Annabel Hobley is showrunner. Owen Gower is series director and ITV Studios is handling international distribution.

“This series is testament to the BBC’s commitment to religious programming that deepens our understanding of each other and the world around us,” said Scalchi. “Jesus Christ is one of the most recognised and influential figures in human history, yet what we know about him comes from remarkably few sources.

“This ambitious series will bring his life into focus like never before. With new historical research and insights, there has never been a more compelling moment to re-look at the evidence and follow the path of Jesus’ life to map how he sparked a revolution that continues to impact our lives over 2000 years later.”

Garton, Wonderhood’s Creative Director, added: “Few lives have shaped the world as profoundly as that of Jesus Christ and, for Christians, he is far more than a figure of history: he is the Son of God. Yet many of us know relatively little about the world Jesus came from – of the people, places, beliefs and conflicts that shaped his life and the world-changing religion that followed.”

There are relatively few recent doc series about Jesus given his impact on the world, with History Channel notably rolling out Jesus: His Life in 2019 and Smithsonian Channel launching The Real Jesus of Nazareth two years prior. The BBC made The Story of Jesus in 2011 and Son of God a decade prior.