Egyptian-born actor Michael Iskander will portray the biblical King David in the upcoming television series “House of David”, produced by Amazon. Israeli actress Ayelet Zurer has been cast as Ahinoam of Jezreel, one of David's wives, entertainment magazine Variety reported Wednesday.
The project has also cast Arab Israeli actor Ali Suliman ("Jack Ryan") as King Saul, Stephen Lang ("Avatar") as the prophet Samuel, and British bodybuilder and actor Martyn Ford as Goliath. The cast also includes Yahli Topol Margalith ("The Tattooist of Auschwitz"), granddaughter of the late actor Chaim Topol, who will play Merab and British actress Indie Lewis who will play Michal, both being Saul’s daughters.
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Michael Iskander and Ayelet Zurer
(Photo: AP, Jason Mendez/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures)
Israeli American actor Oded Fehr ("The Mummy") will also participate in the series, portraying Saul’s advisor Abner, with actor Ethan Kai playing Jonathan, and Arab-Israeli actor Ashraf Barhom portraying Doeg the Edomite.
The series, which had already begun production in Greece, aims to tell the story of David’s rise to king of the Israelite kingdom against the backdrop of King Saul’s decline, who falls victim to his own pride. "For one leader to rise, another must fall," the series’ official description read.
The casting, particularly that of an Egyptian-born actor in the role of one of the most important leaders in Jewish history, is seen as particularly provocative in recent times. This is reminiscent of a controversy seen some years ago when it was reported that Israeli actress Gal Gadot would play Cleopatra in a new film about her life.
The series is being produced by Wonder, a production company specializing in Christian-themed content and partially owned by American director Dallas Jenkins, who is responsible for the talked-about TV series "The Chosen," which focuses on the life of Jesus.