Once upon a time, shows with an obviously Biblical message had one thing in their favour – almost no-one watched them. This meant that the pressure to live up to high standards or chase ratings was minimal. That changed with The Chosen, a sleeper hit that gained traction five seasons in. It was surprising that such an overtly religious show, one that made the life of Jesus its central theme, found such a large audience – yet it pushed the bar higher for any successors in the genre.
Testament, a series based on the Acts of the Apostles and starting at Pentecost, is the most recent brainchild of Angel Studios, the Utah-based creator of Christian TV and films which gave us The Chosen. Set in the present day, the pilot shows us a highly militarised society (ironically called “Salem”, or “peace”) trying to clamp down on the resurgent Jesus movement, a sect the authorities hoped would perish with its crucified leader. When rumours swirl of a man risen from the dead, families are turned against each other; sons and daughters swell the movement’s ranks against the wishes of their elders, who want to see this latest heretic stay dead. The authorities (known as the Imperium) are not pleased. There will be blood, and it’ll come from the innocent more than the guilty.
