The opening hour-long episode is followed by a half-hour the next night, another half hour on Good Friday and a final hour on Easter Sunday.

Inspired by both the Gospels and other historical sources, the three-hour drama is conveyed from the perspective of the main figures involved - Jesus and his disciples, the Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate (Coleraine actor James Nesbitt, pictured in the role) and the High Priest Caiaphas.
Former Cold Feet star James Nesbitt, who plays Pilate, was struck by the script, which was written by Frank Deasy.

He said: "I come from a country that is steeped in religion so this was a story familiar to me. But he has re-told that beautiful and complicated story in a new and exciting way that people will be able to relate to."

Pilate emerges as a much more defined character than he has in past versions of the story.

"Many see him as a barbaric, cruel figure," says Nesbitt, "some see him as a progressive man who tried to work with the Jews in Jerusalem, and some see him as a man who just wanted to get out of there.

"He was certainly not a man I would have crossed.

"To be involved in something like that, a hugely epic thing, hopefully it's going to stand some kind of test of time."

Award-winning producer Nigel Stafford-Clark was the man behind the BBC's recent adaptation of Bleak House and has brought a similar approach to The Passion.

"It puts it all into context, digs deeper into the characters and their actions," he says. "Why did Pilate agree to have Jesus crucified? Why did Caiaphas want him condemned to death? Why was there such excitement when Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday?

"The ultimate purpose of bringing the story to life is to try and cast a fresh light on Jesus. Whatever your beliefs, it is impossible not to be moved by his suffering and awed by the depth of his humanity, and we needed to find a way to convey that."

The fast-paced production allows the audience to feel as if they were members of the crowds moving through the chaotic streets of Jerusalem 2,000 years ago.



"They sent me to this guy and they found a lump in my vocal chord. I had to have it lasered out. It was a bit scary.

"It turned out to be a big cyst. Because it was inside my vocal chord, once the operation had been done I couldn't speak for a good three or four months. Even then I found myself whispering."

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