Netflix Orders Drama ‘Messiah’

Netflix has ordered a new drama called “Messiah,” which will explore the lines among religion, faith and politics, to its members around the globe in 2019. The logline: “Messiah” will chronicle the modern world’s reaction to a man who first appears in the Middle East creating a groundswell of followers around him claiming he is the Messiah. Is he sent from God or is he a dangerous fraud bent on dismantling the world’s geopolitical order?

In 10 hour-long episodes, the story unfolds from multiple points of view, including a young CIA agent, an Israeli Shin Bet officer, a Latino preacher and his Texan daughter, a Palestinian refugee and the media, among others.

The series was created by Michael Petroni (“The Chronicles of Narnia: the Voyage of the Dawn Treader”) and brought to Netflix by Petroni and producer Mark Burnett, MGM’s President, Television Group & Digital.

“Messiah,” a Netflix production, will be executive produced by Petroni, who also wrote the first episode. Also executive producing are Burnett and Roma Downey (“The Bible Series”), Andrew Deane and James McTeigue (“Sense8”), who will also serve as a director.

“Messiah promises to be a fascinating series for viewers of every faith, and a thrilling drama filled with multi-layered characters set on a global stage,” said Cindy Holland, Vice President, Original Content for Netflix.