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House of David: Everything we know About the Game of Thrones Inspired Biblical Drama
Prime Video’s highly anticipated drama House of David is creating a buzz as it prepares to bring the legendary story of David and Goliath to the screen like never before. With co-directors Jon Erwin and Jon Gunn at the helm, this series takes a bold and modern approach to the age-old biblical tale, blending timeless themes with a fresh perspective.
Fresh off the heels of The Wonder Project, the show has already made waves with its striking trailer, offering a sneak peek at the high-stakes battle, love, and intrigue within the royal court. Drawing inspiration from epic series like Game of Thrones and The Chosen, House of David is set to take faith-based storytelling to new heights, with gripping action and powerful performances.
This article dives into everything we know so far about House of David, including what makes this show unique and how it’s poised to make a big impact. You’ll get the latest updates, cast details, and insights that will leave you wanting more. Stay tuned as we continue to keep this page fresh with new information and updates you won’t want to miss!
Release date & Where to Watch
The biblical drama House of David premieres Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, with the first three episodes, exclusively on Prime Video. The remaining five episodes will be released weekly, with the season one finale arriving on April 3, 2025, just ahead of Easter Sunday.
What is the plot of House of David?
House of David chronicles the rise of the biblical figure David, who becomes the most renowned and celebrated king of Israel. As the once-mighty King Saul succumbs to his pride, the prophet Samuel follows God’s direction to anoint David, an outcast teenager, as the new king.
As Saul’s power dwindles, David embarks on a journey to fulfill his destiny, navigating love, loss, and violence within Saul’s court, where he is destined to replace the fallen king. The series delves into David's evolution, exploring his transformation from a lonely shepherd to a leader of great significance. It also focuses on Saul’s tragic descent, paralleling the two men’s fates as one leader falls and another rises.
“There are few stories more recognizable than David and Goliath,” explained Erwin, creator of House of David, who co-wrote and directed several episodes. (via Amazon)
“It’s become shorthand for any underdog tale and a symbol of courage overcoming odds. But what most people don’t know is the full depth of David’s journey. His rise to greatness didn’t happen overnight. His story is about more than just a young boy facing down a giant. It’s about the journey of becoming who you were always meant to be,” he added.
Before the iconic battle of David and Goliath, House of David examines the origins of the young man behind the legend. As the series unfolds, viewers witness the fall of one leader and the ascent of another, as David faces challenges that shape his destiny.
Who’s in the cast of House of David?
- Michael Iskander as David
- Stephen Lang (Avatar, Don’t Breathe) as Samuel
"Samuel is the one who really guides him (David),” Lang said of his character. He further elaborated, “David goes from being a shepherd to someone who all of a sudden is being told, ‘You’re going to be the king of Israel.’ Samuel is very instrumental in contouring David’s consciousness, his capabilities, and his confidence. He helps him to also understand the voice of the Lord manifests in many different ways and to be open to hear and see. That’s what a mentor does and that’s what Samuel does for David.” (via Amazon)
- Martyn Ford (F9: The Fast Saga, The Sandman) as Goliath
- Ayelet Zurer (Losing Alice, Angels & Demons) as King Saul’s wife Queen Ahinoam.
- Davood Ghadami (Eastenders) as Eliab
- Yali Topol Margalith (Tattooist of Auschwitz) as Mirab, daughter of Saul.
- Ali Suliman (Arthur the King) as King Saul
- Alexander Uloom (Sari and Amira) as King Achish
- Indy Lewis (Industry) as Mychal, King Saul’s daughter and the woman David loves
- Ethan Kai (Carnival Row) as Jonathan
- Sam Otto (Snowpiercer) as Eshbaal
- Oded Fehr (Star Trek: Discovery, La Cocina) as Abner, King Saul's trusted lieutenant
- Louis Ferreira (S.W.A.T., Shōgun) as Jesse, David’s father
- Ashraf Barhom (Tyrant) as Doeg
- Aury Alby as Joab
Is There a Trailer for House of David?
The recently released House of David trailer offers an exciting preview of the young hero's journey as he answers his divine call to destiny and prepares for the epic battle against the Philistines. Central to this is the legendary confrontation between David and the giant Goliath. Using his trusty slingshot, David triumphs over Goliath in a pivotal moment that marks his rise to prominence.
The trailer opens with a female narrator pondering whether one stone can change the course of history, referencing the stone David uses to strike down Goliath. We then see David, standing by a river, selecting a white stone, and gazing upward. This marks the first appearance of David on screen.
The focus then shifts to the towering figure of Goliath confronting the Israelite soldiers. Goliath berates them for refusing to face him, calling them cowards. "Send me your champions" he demands. The challenge is met with a cry of defiance from David, as the narrator promises to reveal how one act of defiance can create a legend.
Before the battle, the trailer offers a glimpse into David's background. We see David playing his harp in the wild, followed by a flashback to his childhood, where he questions why his brothers fight while he stays at home. His older brother, Eliab, is seen fighting Philistine soldiers and telling David, "You're not a man of blood," setting up the tension between the two brothers.
The trailer also introduces Stephen Lang as the Prophet Samuel, who anoints David, declaring, "God does not see what man sees. He sees into the heart. And you, you have the heart of a lion." This statement ties in with a later scene where David, drenched in blood, stands after killing a lion to protect one of his father’s sheep.
The trailer also highlights the looming threat of the Philistines, with a messenger announcing their arrival. We see the Philistines attacking a defenseless Israelite town with fire arrows, including a tragic moment where a woman and her child are caught in the assault. The attack leads to a dramatic moment where Prince Jonathan finds a bloodied handprint and is warned that the Philistines have a giant.
As the battle with Goliath draws near, Saul tells David, "Fight him with the same spirit you bring into this room." In a lush garden-like environment, likely a reference to En-Geddi, David gathers stones from the stream, with Prince Jonathan following him and questioning how David will become Israel’s champion against the giant.
The trailer teases future events, showing glimpses of the Battle of Gilboa, where Saul cradles Jonathan's dead body, as well as intense moments with the Israelite army facing off against the well-armed Philistine forces. David is seen jumping out of a window to escape an assassin’s arrow, and Jonathan appears to fight against his own father, King Saul.
The trailer ends with the climactic Goliath battle, as Goliath hurls a massive spear toward David, who prepares to take aim with his sling. The narrator’s question, "Can one stone change the course of history?" lingers as the trailer concludes.
Jon Erwin, creator of House of David, addresses some of the most-asked questions about the series. Watch the video below:
Check out the new single "40" from House of David!
Episode Guide
- Season 1 Episode 1 (Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025)
- Season 1 Episode 2 (Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025)
- Season 1 Episode 3 (Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025)
- Season 1 Episode 4 (Thursday, Mar. 6, 2025)
- Season 1 Episode 5 (Thursday, Mar. 13, 2025)
- Season 1 Episode 6 (Thursday, Mar. 20, 2025)
- Season 1 Episode 7 (Thursday, Mar. 27, 2025)
- Season 1 Episode 8 (Thursday, Apr. 3, 2025)
What sets House of David Series Apart from Other Dramas?
House of David tells an epic story, similar to what famous shows and films like Game of Thrones, Star Wars, and The Lord of the Rings do. Its grand cinematography, action, costumes, and foreign setting also evoke these beloved series, but with a significant twist: David’s biblical journey served as an inspiration for these fictional narratives. This is where the series stands apart from others.
As Jon Erwin explained, “David is perhaps the first and certainly the most famous ‘hero’s journey.’ He is one of the archetypes that inspired the likes of Luke Skywalker, Frodo Baggins, and Harry Potter: outcasts called to greatness, only to find themselves thrust into situations that push them beyond their limits.” (via Amazon)
The series highlights timeless themes of purpose, destiny, and overcoming adversity through faith—values that remain as relevant today as they were 3,000 years ago. These universal themes of transformation and adventure are central to the series, offering viewers an experience that resonates deeply with the human condition.
Is House of David Biblical?
House of David appears to remain faithful to the biblical story, despite incorporating extra-biblical elements. The trailer suggests that while creative liberties may be taken for narrative clarity and brevity, the show adheres closely to the core details and general outline of the biblical account.
The key themes presented in the trailer align closely with central motifs from the Book of Samuel, the biblical source material, including the contrast between human strength and God's power, the emphasis on God's judgment based on the heart rather than appearances, and the themes of humility and divine elevation. Additionally, the conflict between fear and faith is portrayed as a central theme.
Behind the Scenes
House of David is an upcoming historical drama series produced by The Wonder Project, with Jon Erwin and Jon Gunn as co-directors and executive producers. The series is based on an idea by Jon Erwin along with Jonathan Lloyd Walker, Justin Rosenblatt, Chad Oakes, and Michael Frislev.
Dallas Jenkins, creator of The Chosen, serves as a special advisor to the project. The series is produced by Nomadic Pictures, Argonauts, Kingdom Story Company, and Lionsgate Television, in association with Amazon MGM Studios and the Wonder Project. Filming took place in Greece.
Jon Erwin's passion for telling the story of King David began when he was just 16 years old, during a trip to Israel with his father. "‘House of David,’ for me, began when I was 16 years old and I went to Israel with my dad," Erwin told CNA in an interview. This experience led him to create a documentary about holy sites called In the Steps of Jesus, marking the beginning of his long-held desire to bring David’s story to the screen.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Erwin shared, "I started writing the script for House of David as a teenager after visiting King David's tomb in Jerusalem. It just felt like this huge story to take on and to try to do justice."
Erwin's dedication to this project has been a lifelong journey. He acknowledged that it took years of development and preparation to tell David’s story properly. "You underestimate when you're young the long seasons of preparation that are necessary to do something this big. And so every film that I've made, it's been trying to develop the skills necessary to take on the life of David," he said.
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