The Passion: Christian actor talks about playing Joseph of Arimathea
David Oyelowo admits his deeply-held, personal faith made him wary of accepting the pivotal role of Joseph of Arimathea in The Passion.
"Of all the projects I've ever done it was the one I had to think hardest about as a Christian,"
says the actor (left of photo).
David's biggest concern was that the production would present a sanitised or safe version of the story of Jesus's final days on earth.
"When I heard it was the BBC and HBO I wondered – is it going to be the PC, watered down, keep everyone happy version or are we going to genuinely tell the story as in the Bible which is more interesting to me?" he says.
His fears were allayed the moment he read the script.
"I read the script with a slightly sceptical eye and to my delight I recognised it as the story and events that have shaped my life for the last 15 years," he says.
"I was also elated that the BBC has … put on what may be deemed a controversial drama like this. For me it is one of if not the greatest stories of all time."
David's character, Joseph of Arimathea, is one of the key roles in this version. An influential figure within Jerusalem's religious establishment, he is impressed by Jesus when he arrives in the city and lobbies Caiaphas for his release when he is captured.
When he discovers that Jesus has been condemned to death it is Joseph who provides his own tomb as, what he assumes to be, a final resting place.
"This is a man who makes a choice between religion and faith," David says. "There is a tradition and an orthodoxy he has followed all his life when wham! something deeply profound happens to him. He hears this man's words and it blows his mind.
"That is something I can relate to," adds David who has been a devout Christian since he was 16.
He admits that he found the production emotionally draining, in particular the crucifixion scenes.
"There was one day when we were filming the crucifixion. My character has asked Pilate if he can take Jesus's body down and goes to Golgotha to collect it. They had been filming there all day and I walked up towards where the crucifixions were taking place. I broke down and wept. I couldn't keep it together."
David hopes The Passion stimulates a more open discussion about religion in this country.
"I think it will create an opportunity for conversation, which I believe is lacking. So many people have a prefabricated idea of what the church is in Britain. People see those great big buildings and think that is what Christianity is, St Paul’s, all the bells and smells and regalia. But that is nothing to do with the essence of Christianity," he says.
"The story we depict in this drama is all about that essence. It's about a personal relationship with God. What's great in this show is that you see what the disciples went through, you see what Jesus went through, you see what Caiaphas went through and it will, hopefully make the story profoundly meaningful to audiences."
David is now based in Los Angeles, where he lives with his wife and an expanding family. The move has coincided with one of the most prolific periods of his career so far.
At Easter he will appear in the screen version of Alexander McCall-Smith's successful No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency books. He will also be seen soon in a Hollywood film with Jeff Daniels, Sweet Nothing In My Ear.
- Churches looking at ways to respond to The Passion can download posters to help them make a creative response to the series in their locality. The downloadable posters are available in three sizes (A3, A4 and A5).
- For further information and advice about how churches can respond to The Passion go to: www.churchesmediacouncil.org.uk/passion/
- The Christian Enquiry Agency is working on behalf of all the major churches of Britain and Ireland to provide all enquirers - in confidence and free of charge - information on the Christian faith, a point of contact for questions they may have, and suggestions for next steps, such as attending a course at their local church.They can contacted using any of these methods: SMS: text “PASSION” to 81025 (charged at users’ standard rates and generates a free response with details of ways to find out more by web, email and freepost);WEB: visit www.christianity.org.uk/passion or www.rejesus.co.uk/passion; E-MAIL: passion@christianity.org.uk; POST: The Christian Enquiry Agency FREEPOST WC2947 South Croydon CR2 8UZ.
BBC Drama’s production of The Passion will be screened on BBC1 during Holy Week starting Sunday 16 March. Read our preview here
