National Geographic Channel and Revelations Entertainment are partnering on The Story Of God, a new global series exploring mankind’s quest to explore the divine. Morgan Freeman, who coincidentally played God in Bruce Almighty and the sequel Evan Almighty, will host and produce the series. It’s slated to air on National Geographic Channel and Nat Geo Mundo in 2016 in the U.S. and globally in 171 countries and 45 languages.
Each episode will center on one big question about the divine, from the mystery of creation, to the true power of miracles, to the promise of resurrection. Freeman will be on the ground at some of the world’s greatest religious sites, such as Jerusalem’s Wailing Wall, India’s Bodhi Tree, Mayan temples and the Lakewood megachurch in Texas. He’ll travel with archeologists to uncover the long-lost religions of our ancestors, such as the 10,000-year-old ruins at Gobekli Tepe in Turkey or the ancient Celtic monument at Stonehenge.
“The story of God is one of the greatest mysteries and most important ideas in the world,” said Freeman. “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.”
The series also will examine how the frontiers of neuroscience and cosmology are intersecting the traditional domain of religion. Freeman will travel to scientific labs where he’ll become a test subject for neuroscientists who are searching for the effect of God on our networks of neurons. Throughout, Morgan will give his personal reflections.
“We’re partnering with Revelations Entertainment and the talented, multifaceted Morgan Freeman to produce an epic and very personal journey to understand mankind’s religious devotion,” said Courteney Monroe, CEO, National Geographic Channels. “Blending science, history, anthropology and personal experience, we’re harnessing the power of the National Geographic brand and our unparalleled global reach to tell a meaningful and awe-inspiring story of religion and spirituality, across disciplines and faiths.”
“God is arguably the most important topic of our time,” said executive producer Lori McCreary, Revelations Entertainment. “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.”
The Story of God will be produced by Revelations Entertainment for National Geographic Channel. Freeman, McCreary and James Younger are executive producers for Revelations. Michael J. Miller is exec producer for National Geographic Channel.
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