Testament

TV-PG • Angel Studios App

Angel Studios describes its newest TV series Testament as the “Book of Acts explosively reimagined in an alternate-modern era.” A futuristic TV show consisting of ancient historical events from the Bible? Sounds like a catch-22.

It might sound strange, but Testament manages to hit the authenticity mark almost dead center. You read correctly (if I watched correctly): This retelling of post-Pentecost events infuses realistic and engaging backstories into the events of Acts 2–4 (the chapters paralleled in the first two episodes WORLD screened). The result is a compelling, organic dramatization that largely honors the Scriptural record of the early church.

Testament opens without reference to a city or year, but it’s an alt-mod Jerusalem that looks like 21st-century London, England—which is where Testament was filmed. Casting a shadow of fear over the populace is the Imperium, a Rome-like civil authority. A council of Sadducees and Pharisees governs religious activities in the District of Salem. The apostles, other disciples of Jesus, and new believers share living quarters in a three-story Salem apartment building—kind of a low-rise version of Chicago’s Jesus People USA without the guitars and shaggy beards. They sit on well-worn sofas as they discuss their ethnically diverse community’s finances. One member volunteers to liquidate his personal estate to help pay the bills.

Three storylines intersect. Saul of Tarsus (Eben Figueiredo) has ambitions to rise through the ranks of the Pharisees. But witnessing Peter (Tom Simper) and John (Kenneth Omole) heal a man of his lameness throws Saul for a loop. He seeks advice from his superior, Gamaliel (Stewart Scudamore), for how to deal with these bold heretics. Saul also meets with his sister for a cup of coffee. Her curiosity about the Jesus followers infuriates Saul all the more.

Another part of the story centers on the religious council, who thought they had rid themselves of a false Messiah. One of the best lines comes when the Sadducees needle Gamaliel at a meeting by asking if he’s thinking of joining them. He retorts, “Maybe in the next life”: an allusion to the Pharisees’ belief in the resurrection, a belief the Sadducees don’t share. But the council has a serious problem. A month-plus after Jesus’ execution, more people than ever are claiming allegiance to Him. The high Sadducee minister admits, “The body is gone.”

The third angle follows Stephen (Charlie Beaven). He’s a new convert who wheeled the lame man to the Temple in the first place. The former cripple leaps and praises God, but a jail stint cools his heels. Stephen, however, seeks an opportunity to prove his love for Jesus.

Speaking of cool: Most characters are dressed in contemporary clothing suitable for crisp British fall weather, while Imperium soldiers look to have borrowed their uniforms from the set of Star Wars. (Figueiredo played an imperial mudtrooper in Solo: A Star Wars Story.) The cast might not count many with extensive acting résumés, but they’re really good—especially Beaven and Figueiredo. Another plus: no cellphones (yet).

I’m looking forward to seeing how Testament visualizes the rest of Acts. I’ll be disappointed, though, if in the Acts 8 episode Philip takes an Uber from the eunuch’s baptism to Azotus.