Upon hearing the news that Kristen Bell would be lending her voice to the character of Mary Magdalene in Fox News’ upcoming podcast “The Life of Jesus,” the actress was just as caught off guard as everyone else. The network had obtained audio from an audiobook Bell had recorded back in 2010 titled “The Truth and Life Dramatized Audio Bible,” and now it was being repackaged into a 52-episode podcast.
It was reported by the Daily Mail on November 21 that Gulfstream Studios had produced the podcast using the licensed audio from Bell’s audiobook, with all actors involved fully cooperating. However, a representative for Bell told Rolling Stone a different story. According to the rep, Bell was unaware that Fox News had acquired the project and repurposed it into a new podcast series until her team received a last-minute request for her to appear on FOX & Friends.
In addition to Bell, other celebrities lending their voices to characters in the podcast include Brian Cox as God, Sean Astin as Matthew, Neal McDonough as Jesus, Malcolm MacDowell as Caiaphas, and Julia Ormond as the Virgin Mary, with John Rhys-Davies serving as the narrator. MacDowell’s representative even stated to Entertainment Weekly that they had no knowledge of the recordings being redistributed as a podcast until recently.
The first episodes of “The Life of Jesus Podcast” are set to premiere on November 30, showcasing the talents of these well-known actors as they bring the timeless story to life in a new format. Stay tuned for a fresh take on a classic tale, as these voices breathe new life into an age-old story.
Peace Nero is a writer and blogger who loves to explore different topics of self-development. She shares her personal experiences in order to help people discover their true purpose in life.