Zachary Levi on Fox Nation’s “David: King of Israel” Docudrama | Jewish Insider
New Docudrama on King David Debuts on Fox Nation
The first episode of “David: King of Israel,” a four-part docudrama, premiered on Fox Nation on . The series offers a dramatic retelling of the biblical coming-of-age story of King David and its host, actor Zachary Levi, believes it offers relevant lessons for a world often marked by conflict.
“It’s unfortunately an evergreen [story] in that we as mankind find ourselves in conflict and war always,” Levi told Jewish Insider. “The only way to truly battle darkness is to battle it with light. David is an example that no matter how much we stumble, God can still love us and we can still be redeemed. I want to apply that to everyone across the world.”
Levi, known for his roles in “Shazam!,” “Chuck,” and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” described the story of David as particularly compelling. “David always jumped out at me. In some ways even more than the story of Jesus. It’s full of drama, intrigue, romance, betrayal and war. It’s like ‘Lord of the Rings’ in the Bible,” he said.
The production utilized an LED stage in Los Angeles to create immersive environments, transporting viewers to biblical-era caves and villages. However, the majority of filming took place in South Africa, a location chosen for its established infrastructure for faith-based productions. According to Jonathan Towers, vice president of development for Fox Nation, South Africa offers “a long history with faith-based productions,” including readily available biblical sets, costumes, and a skilled acting community. South African actor Nahum Hughes portrays David in the series.
The docudrama was created by Warm Springs Productions, with David Cunningham, Marc Pierce, Chris Richardson, and Bridger Pierce serving as executive producers. The production team consulted with a range of historians, archaeologists, and biblical experts, including Rabbi Meir Soloveitchik, Rabbi Pesach Wolicki, and Ze’ev Orenstein, director of the City of David in Israel.
Cunningham acknowledged that some “creative license” was taken with costume design “where the scriptures and historical evidence was unclear.” However, he emphasized the team’s commitment to historical accuracy in areas where evidence was available, such as the garments of priests and Goliath’s armor.
The premiere of “David: King of Israel” follows the success of the eight-episode “House of David” series, which aired on Amazon Prime Video last year and became the platform’s second-most watched show. Levi believes his series complements “House of David” by focusing directly on the biblical source material, rather than taking significant creative liberties.
Levi also reflected on past experiences where he reportedly faced discrimination in casting due to assumptions based on his name. In a interview, he stated he was frequently turned down for roles for “being too Jewish,” despite being a practicing Christian.
Despite a rise in antisemitism and hostility toward Israel, Levi expressed confidence in the reception of the “King David” series and believes it has the potential to foster interfaith unity. He also noted his surprise at what he perceives as a distancing from Jewish heritage among some individuals in the entertainment industry.
“I walk to the beat of my own drum in Hollywood,” Levi said. “I believe when you stand for right and fight for the light you can’t be wrong. I am frustrated with not only Hollywood but the world in general at our inability to see reality sometimes. A lot of people in Hollywood are turned around and confused about all of this. I wish they could see the lies they are believing and perpetuating. We need to find a way to stop the poisoning of our minds. We are living in strange times. We need to be coming together and telling stories that are redemptive and full of hope.”