Exclusive

The Bible's Jesus Speaks: Diogo Morgado Opens Up About Taking on the Heavenly Role

Exclusive! Producer Mark Burnett also shares secrets to bringing the Bible back to prime time

By Jenna Mullins Mar 11, 2013 11:26 PMTags
The BibleJoe Alblas/A+E Networks, LLC

What was Diogo Morgado's first reaction upon hearing he'd be portraying Jesus in the History Channel's new miniseries The Bible?

Fear.

"How can I do someone that everybody knows and everybody has an idea [of] in a different way?" Portuguese actor Morgado says to E! News' Jason Kennedy. "This is the most complete and complex role an actor can play. You can't play Jesus, especially when a lot of other wonderful actors already did that. That was my hardest task, and I really hope people will connect with what I tried to achieve."

The Bible has already been a huge hit for History Channel, with the premiere episode bringing in 13.1 million total viewers. For executive producer Mark Burnett, The Bible's ratings have been sinfully sweet. 

"How about the fact that we beat The Walking Dead? The Bible beat zombies," Burnett said gleefully. "The Bible has the greatest stories in the history of the world. But beyond that [without the Bible], there wouldn't be Lord of the Rings, there would never be Narnia, we wouldn't have Matrix!"

To hear more from Morgado and Burnett, check out our exclusive interviews below and tune in to E! News at 7 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.! 

Watch: Mark Burnett Rejoices Mini Series' Success