Diogo Morgado Discusses Playing Jesus Christ In The Bible

Diogo Morgado na revista People

O ator que dá corpo a Jesus Cristo tem destaque na capa da PEOPLE.

A revista PEOPLE deu destaque a Diogo Morgado pela sua participação em “The Bible”. Na reportagem, Roma Downey relembra como descobriu o ator perfeito para o papel de Jesus Cristo. Faltavam seis semanas para o início das gravações de “The Bible” e ainda não tinha sido encontrado o protagonista. Perante o desespero instalado entre a produção, Roma Downey decidiu enviar um e-mail para os amigos com o assunto “À Procura de Jesus”. Como resposta, um dos seus amigos sugeriu Diogo Morgado. Finalmente, Roma combinou uma reunião com o português. No momento em que este chegava a casa da produtora para a reunião, Downey disse ao seu marido (também produtor da série) “Este é o nosso Jesus!”.

"The Bibble" na SIC na Pascoa

Série A Bíblia, com Diogo Morgado, vai ser transmitida pela SIC

A exibição do primeiro episódio está prevista para o dia 28 de Março, na véspera de Sexta-Feira Santa.

O actor português Diogo Morgado interpreta o papel de Jesus DR

A série norte-americana A Bíblia, protagonizada pelo actor português Diogo Morgado e já estreada nos EUA no Canal História, chega a Portugal através da SIC, que começa a transmitir esta minissérie de quatro episódios a 28 de Março.

A Bíblia, produzida por Mark Burnett – produtor executivo do reality showSurvivor – e pela actriz Roma Downey para o Canal História norte-americano, tornou-se na sua estreia um dos programas mais vistos na televisão por subscrição nos Estados Unidos: mais de 13,1 milhões de espectadores assistiram ao primeiro episódio da série. A SIC anunciou nesta terça-feira a aquisição dos direitos de exibição da minissérie, que incluirá na sua programação especial de Páscoa.

Encenando vários acontecimentos relatados no Antigo e no Novo Testamento, “desde o Genesis à Revelação” – nas palavras de Burnett ao Christian Post –A Bíblia é uma minissérie com um total de dez horas de duração. Diogo Morgado interpreta o papel de Jesus Cristo, no seu segundo papel bíblico – integrou o elenco da longa-metragem Mary, Mother of Christ, do norte-americano James Foley, realizador de filmes como À Queima-Roupa e O Sucesso a Qualquer Preço.

Em Mary, Mother of Christ, que tem estreia marcada para 2014, Morgado interpretou o papel de José ao lado de Al Pacino (Herodes) e Peter O' Toole (Simião)

The Bible' Actor Diogo Morgado Talks Challenge and Joy of Starring Jesus in the Epic TV Series

GRACE HILL MEDIA

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Diogo Morgado, the actor who portrays Jesus in the upcoming "The Bible" which is set to kick off on The History Channel Sunday night, opened up about his role in the epic TV series.

"The Bible," created by TV producer Mark Burnett and his wife, actress Roma Downey, draws powerful pictures of the historical events recorded in the Bible, including Noah's Ark, the Exodus, Abraham and Isaac, and the life story of Jesus Christ.

The much-anticipated TV series have been praised as "the best" among Biblical films ever created.

"I was scared when I knew I was going to play Jesus," Morgado told The Christian Post of his monumental role as Jesus.

"I went to the place where everything [in the Bible] supposedly happened and got involved with this energy."

Visiting Israel, where Jesus spent his life, gave him a "magical energy" which allowed him to take the role, the Portuguese actor said.

"The opportunity to participate in this project made me go back to my spirituality and communion with God," said Morgado, whom Burnett and Downey handpicked for "The Bible."

"He has a gentleness and humanity about him," Downey told CP while speaking about the series in 2012.

Asked whether playing Jesus was his most challenging role to date, the 33-year-old actor said, "Is that even a question?"

"Sure! There is nothing harder than this [role- Jesus is the most complete and complex figure of mankind," Morgado said.

"We're talking about someone that billions of people died for and live by."

"Everything in society is basically touched by Jesus' words, Jesus was the living proof of God and that is what the Bible was all about," Morgado continued.

"So yes, it is and I bet it will be the most difficult challenge I'll ever have."

"The Bible" series will be premiered this Sunday at 8 p.m.(EST) on the History Channel, with the 10-hour series' finale airing on Easter Sunday, March 31.

"I know that there are a lot of people out there that simply don't know the Bible," the actor said, emphasizing that the TV program serves education purposes for those who want to explore the Bible.

"Ultimately, this is a beautiful [take] on why the Bible is one of the most important books in history. I think that people who aren't spiritual or connected to their spiritual side, will be more connected after seeing this."

Diogo Morgado in People Magazine

Roma Downey of The Bible: How I Found Jesus (the Actor)

Romey Downey and Diogo Morgado

CASEY CRAWFORD; JOE ALBLAS

For Roma Downey, casting just the right actor to play the Son of God in the The Bibletested even her usually strong faith. 

"We actually were only six weeks away from beginning principal photography and we still had not cast the role of Jesus," Downey tells PEOPLE of producing the hit History channel miniseries. "To say that we were anxious is an understatement." 

In desperation, Downey sent out an email to friends with the subject line "Looking for Jesus." 

"The prayer circle went out and the prayer was answered," the former Touched by an Angelstar says of a friend suggesting Diogo Morgado for the role.

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After watching Morgado's taped audition, Downey was eager to schedule a meeting but was worried meeting in person would prove difficult for the Portugal-based actor. 

"I was a little disheartened and didn't know logistically how I was going to make that work," says Downey, who also plays Mother Mary in the series. "I spoke to his agent and he said, 'Actually, he's traveling and in Los Angeles.' I said, 'Hallelujah.' " 

In less than 24 hours Morgado, 33, was walking down the garden path of Downey's home to meet with her and her husband, producer Mark Burnett. 

"I grabbed Mark and we peeked out the window to see him approach," Downey says. "I turned to my husband and said, 'There he is. That's our Jesus.' " 

RELATED: Mark Burnett & Roma Downey's The Bible Premieres to Epic Ratings

The Portuguese television actor will be featured in the second half of the 10-part miniseries, which airs every Sunday through Easter (see a preview of this Sunday's show below). And Downey is confident the actor will make a major impact on viewers. 

"I think he will define this role for generations," she says of Morgado. "He's just a beautiful actor inside and out. This is going to make him a big star." 

The History Channel: 'The Bible' Miniseries 'Jesus Christ' is Portuguese Actor Diogo Morgado 

The History Channel drew over 13 million viewers on the first 2 hours of "The Bible" series. The epic production of husband-and-wife team Roma Downey and Mark Burnett is being lauded for cinematography and special CGI effects. But some critics are pointing out revisionism as a potential problem. Meanwhile, Jesus Christ (Diogo Morgado) won't be front and center until the third week.

RELATED | History Channel, The Bible: $22M Mini-series Premiere Draws 13M Viewers, Mixed Reviews; Airs Repeat Mar. 6

History Channel, The Bible Jesus Christ Actor is Portuguese Diogo Morgado (Credit: Joe Alblas via The History Channel)

Downey (Touched by an Angel lead actress) and Burnett (Survivor, The Voice producer) spent $22 million in producing "The Bible" epic miniseries. The couple expressed satisfaction over History Channel viewers' reaction to the first installment of the 5-part, 10-hr presentation.

Incidentally, Downey also plays Mother Mary in the story. Her character's son, Jesus Christ, is played by Portuguese TV star, Diogo Morgado.

 "We knew that we wanted somebody very special to play the role of Jesus. We wanted somebody that could be strong, yet gentle. And we found that in Portuguese actor Diogo Morgado" Downey told the U.S. entertainment TV show Extra. "He just comes off the screen. He's radiant. He's a big guy, he's a tough guy, but he's a loving guy."

Speaking to KABC Television, Morgado said his favorite bible story as a kid was David and Goliath. This part in the bible miniseries is airing this week, on History Channel's 2^nd installment of the Easter offering.Follow this link for the Facebook page of Diogo Morgado to check out more of his photos

‘The Bible’ Miniseries 'Jesus Christ' is Portuguese Actor Diogo Morado (Facebook)

"This #1 series is a tribute to all those who have helped us to spread the Word. Ultimately THE BIBLE will be seen and felt by billions around the globe," the producer-couple wrote in a press release. "Today, more people are discussing God's chosen people-Moses and Abraham-in one day than ever before," they added.

KABC sough for Morgado's reaction on something Burnett said. The producer dished that Morgado couldn't remember filming some of the scenes of the finished presentation.

"I guess when you're in the moment, you're not rationalizing and sometimes you don't pay attention to details so that's why a lot of this shooting was, I just have feelings of what it was, not the full picture. So that's, I think it could tell you something of how it was for me," Morgado said.

The Bible, com Diogo Morgado, bate recordes de audiência nos Estados Unidos

The Bible, com Diogo Morgado, bate recordes de audiência nos Estados Unidos

A mini série do History Channel The Bible, que conta com o português Diogo Morgado como Jesus Cristo, bateu todos os recordes de audiência do canal por cabo norte americano. As duas horas de estreia prenderam ao pequeno ecrã 13.1 milhões de espectadores, com 3.3 na demo entre os 18-49 anos. Este resultado consagra The Bible como a série mais vista do ano em qualquer canal por cabo americano. Se incluidas as gravações em DVR a audiência chegou aos 14.8 milhões de espectadores.