A mini-series of epic proportions: US drama The Bible to air on Channel 5

The Bible, a US mini-series dramatising the Bible’s best known stories, is coming to Channel 5.

The 10-part religious drama will feature some of the most famous tales from the Bible, including Noah’s Ark, Adam and Eve, Daniel in the lion’s den and the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ.

The series rated well in the US this Easter, attracting more than 13 million viewers when it aired on The History Channel.

Devoting five hours to the Old Testament and five hours to the New Testament, The Bible is a mix of live action and computer-generated imagery.

The Voice and Survivor producer Mark Burnett is behind the show, which features his wife Roma Downey in the role of Mary. Portuguese actor Diogo Morgado stars as Jesus.

British-born Burnett said he was partly inspired to create the show because of a growing “Biblical illiteracy” among young people.

“In school, you have to know a certain amount of Shakespeare, but no Bible. So there’s got to be a way to look at it from a pure literature point of view. If it wasn’t for the Bible, arguably Shakespeare wouldn’t have written those stories,” he told The Christian Science Monitor in March.

The acquisition is uncharacteristic for Channel 5, which is best known for Celebrity Big Brother, Neighbours and Home and Away.

Marie-Claire Dunlop, Acquisitions & Channel Manager for Channel 5, said: “The show has been nothing short of a sensation, watched by millions of people in the states. To have it on Channel 5 is incredibly exciting - these are stories that can’t fail to draw you in.”

The Bible will air on Channel 5 this autumn.