The Passion

Over Easter, the BBC will be showing a drama series called "The Passion" based on the biblical account of Jesus’ death and resurrection. The cast will include Joseph Mawle (Jesus), James Nesbitt (Pilate), Paul Nicholls, Ben Daniels, Laura Fraser, Denis Lawson and David Oyelowo.

See the dedicated page for 'The Passion' on rejesus (opens in a new window)
Download posters that advertise The Passion (all open in new windows)

• A3 size poster (PDF)
• A4 size poster (PDF)
• A5 size poster (PDF)

Episode 1
Palm Sunday 16th March, BBC ONE, 8pm

It's Passover in Jerusalem, and the city is bursting with pilgrims. It's a tense time for those charged with keeping order - like Pilate the Roman Prefect and Caiaphas the High Priest. The arrival of a preacher from Galilee called Jesus causes great excitement when he enters through the East Gate on a donkey's colt, fulfilling prophecies of the coming of the Messiah. For Jesus' band of disciples, hardened by several years on the road, this is the moment they've been waiting for, but none of them suspects how momentous this week will be.

Episode 2
Monday 17th March, BBC ONE, 8pm (after Eastenders)

Caiaphas is growing increasingly anxious that Jesus' preaching will provoke unrest and bring in the Romans, and when Jesus appears to threaten the Temple it's the final straw. As Jesus tries to explain his destiny to the disciples, Caiaphas calls a council and presents it with a stark choice. With Passover approaching, a fateful decision is taken, and Judas finds himself placed in an impossible position.

Episode 3
Good Friday 21st March, BBC ONE, 9pm (after Question of Sport)

Jesus shares his Last Supper with the disciples, and teaches them their last and most important lesson. Whilst Judas slips away to fetch the Temple guards, Jesus leads the disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane and tries to prepare himself for what is to come. The next few hours will bring him face to face with Caiaphas, with Pilate and with his own destiny.

Episode 4
Easter Sunday 23rd March, BBC ONE, time TBC (around 8pm)

As Jesus is taken from the cross and buried, his disciples cower in hiding. Caiaphas, fearful that the body will be stolen, orders the tomb to be guarded. But when Mary Magdalene discovers it empty, a chain of events is about to begin that will transform the lives of the disciples and reverberate throughout the world for the next two thousand years.

As a Christian community, we wish to thank the BBC for telling this unique and powerful story of Jesus to millions of people around the world. During the most important week of the Christian calendar, people everywhere, believers or otherwise, will be learning and talking about Jesus.

Of course, since the production is primarily a drama, the theological, historical and personal details may not be entirely accurate. However, the BBC has succeeded in focusing Easter on the story and person of Jesus, and as Christians we welcome this.

As churches, there are many things we can do to support this production, and make the most of it in our own ministry.
Here are a number of suggestions:

1. Express appreciation to the BBC, by writing a letter with comments from viewers in your community or church.
2. Advertise the website ReJesus.co.uk, which will take general enquiries from viewers, including offering helpful information to anyone who wants to know more about Jesus.
3. Get in touch with the Bible Society who have a pack of educational materials to accompany the series for use in schools.
4. Advertise the series in your church, school and neighbourhood.
5. Encourage individuals or families in the church to invite friends and neighbours to watch it together over drinks or a meal.
6. Check that your church events calendar does not clash with the programme times.
7. Train church members to answer frequently asked questions about the significance of the death and resurrection of Jesus.
8. Train church members to ask meaningful questions at work or in the community.
9. Consider working with other local evangelical churches in your community to advertise Easter services, the ReJesus website, or a follow-up course for anyone interested in finding out more. Alpha courses, book groups, (based on members reading a book of the Bible each month), Christianity Explored etc.
10. Consider holding debates, discussion groups or talks after the broadcasts in homes, pubs or coffee bars. In particular, the Easter Sunday episode dealing with the resurrection appearances is likely to be a good subject for discussion. For some it may be appropriate to discuss the evidence for the resurrection, or the historical reliability of the gospel texts. For others the question will be "what does Jesus mean to me?" or "what difference can his resurrection make in my life?"
11. If you will be holding any event in connection with the series, contact the local press (newspaper or radio station) with a story, a column, an article or an advertisement.
12. Join the online debate with comments full of grace and truth. There will be plenty of opportunity on the BBC website and on news websites like Guardianunlimited.
13. Enquiries and suggestions about the Christian response to the series can be directed to the Churches Media Council email: info@churchesmediacouncil.org.uk.