Morgan Freeman to go from Evan Almighty to National Geographic series exploring God's effect on our neurons

The Hollywood superstar

Morgan Freeman is to host a new series about God

Morgan Freeman might have played God in Bruce Almighty but the actor is taking theological matters even more firmly into his own hands for his latest project in which he will help scientists “test the effects of religion on our neurons”.

The Oscar-winner will host and produce a series for the National Geographic Channel exploring mankind’s quest for divine meaning. It will reveal how “neuroscience and cosmology are intersecting the traditional domain of religion” by featuring scientists who are searching for the effect of God on the workings of the human body, specifically our nervous systems.

“The story of God is one of the greatest mysteries and most important ideas in the world,” Freeman said in a statement. “For me, this is a personal and enduring quest to understand the divine, and I am humbled by the opportunity to take viewers along on this incredible journey.”

For The Story of God series Freeman will travel to some of the world’s greatest religious sites including Jerusalem’s Wailing Wall, India’s Bodhi Tree, Mayan temples and the huge Lakewood church in Texas.

With the help of archaeologists he will attempt to uncover information about lost religions and the origins of Stonehenge and other ancient monuments such as the 10,000-year-old ruins at Gobekli Tepe.

“God is arguably the most important topic of our time,” executive producer Lori McCreary of Revelations Entertainment told Deadline.

“National Geographic’s unprecedented inside access will allow us to explore the global mystery behind God and religion. With Morgan as our storyteller, we’re going to produce a visually stunning and thought-provoking series that will spur meaningful conversations about God and faith, by believers and nonbelievers alike.”

Morgan played God in the Jim Carrey film Bruce Almighty and its sequel Evan Almighty alongside Steve Carrell.