The Passion of Christ

This coming Holy Week, do tune in to watch a major forthcoming BBC television series - The Passion. Praised by numerous church leaders, it is expected to make a huge national impact over the Easter season - drawing more than ten million viewers.

The series,which starts today, Palm Sunday, 16th. March, will be scheduled in peak time on BBC1 at 8pm. It tells the story of the last week of Jesus' life, his trial and crucifixion. The last episode, to be broadcast on Easter Sunday 23rd. March, dramatises his post-resurrection appearances.

The Passion has been made by award-winning drama producer Nigel Stafford-Clark, who was responsible for Bleak House and Warriors. The cast includes Cold Feet star James Nesbitt as Pilate and EastEnders actor Paul Nicholls as Judas Iscariot. The part of Jesus is played by the relatively unknown Joseph Mawle, who at 33 is the same age as Jesus during the events of the Passion.

The Churches' Media Council has launched a website to provide resources and information about the series. Visit: www.churchesmediacouncil.org.uk/passion

The group encourages Christians to seize this "golden opportunity to contribute to a contemporary public discussion about Jesus." Guidelines on the site encourage the Christian community to welcome the retelling of the stories for a new generation, but to treat it as drama first rather than theology.

Andrew Graystone, Director of the Churches' Media Council, was profoundly moved by early versions of the series. "This is an extremely vivid piece of drama. You feel you are right there, in amongst the Passover crowds, alongside the disciples as Jesus comes out with these simple but earth-shattering messages. And then of course, he's taken away and makes the ultimate sacrifice, and like the disciples, you're left to decide what you are going to do about it."

The episodes will continue on Monday, 17th. March, Good Friday, 21st March and Easter Sunday, 23rd. March. Internet viewers can access the series via the BBC's website.