On February 26, 2026, Fox Nation premiered its ambitious new docudrama, David: King of Israel, inviting viewers to journey through the dramatic and complex life of one of the Bible’s most enduring figures. This four-part series, released weekly, stands out for its energetic blend of cinematic reenactments, insightful narration, and commentary from both clergy and scholars. The show promises not just a retelling of ancient events, but a fresh look at the timeless themes of courage, faith, failure, leadership, and redemption—issues that, according to its creators and host, still resonate powerfully in today’s world.
Hosted and narrated by award-winning actor Zachary Levi—whose credits include "Shazam!" and "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel"—the series aims to present King David’s story as both a thrilling adventure and a source of inspiration. As Levi told Jewish Insider, "It’s unfortunately an evergreen story in that we as mankind find ourselves in conflict and war always. The only way to truly battle darkness is to battle it with light. David is an example that no matter how much we stumble, God can still love us and we can still be redeemed. I want to apply that to everyone across the world." Levi, a practicing Christian, shared that the story of David captivated him even more than that of Jesus, describing it as "full of drama, intrigue, romance, betrayal and war. It’s like ‘Lord of the Rings’ in the Bible."
The production’s creative ambition is evident not just in its storytelling, but in the technology and locations used to bring ancient Israel to life. While Levi narrates from an LED stage in Los Angeles—allowing for visually immersive biblical-era environments—the majority of the filming took place in South Africa. According to Jonathan Towers, Fox Nation’s vice president of development, South Africa was chosen for its "long history with faith-based productions," readily available biblical sets and costumes, and a robust acting community. This decision paid off in the casting of Nahum Hughes, a South African actor who takes on the central role of David. Surrounding him are Sean C. Michael as King Saul, Aubrey Shelton as Samuel, Langley Kirkwood as Saul (in some episodes), Peter Butler as the Prophet Samuel, and Evan Hengst as Prince Jonathan.
Executive producer David L. Cunningham, who also wrote and directed the series, emphasized the care taken to balance dramatic storytelling with historical and scriptural accuracy. Warm Springs Productions, the company behind the project, consulted historians, archaeologists, and biblical scholars from both Jewish and Christian traditions—including Rabbi Meir Soloveitchik, Rabbi Pesach Wolicki, and Ze’ev Orenstein, director of the City of David in Israel. Cunningham explained, "Creative license was taken with costumes where the scriptures and historical evidence was unclear. But areas where we had evidence, like the priests’ garments or Goliath’s armor, we did the best we could with the resources we had to honor historical accuracy. The same would be said for the art direction overall."
The series unfolds across four 45-minute episodes, each focusing on a pivotal chapter in David’s life. The premiere episode, "The Shepherd," introduces viewers to the young David, anointed by the prophet Samuel and thrust into the national spotlight after his legendary victory over Goliath. As the saga continues, "The Giantkiller" explores David’s rise to fame and the resulting jealousy from King Saul, which forces David into exile. "The Outlaw" depicts his years on the run, gathering loyal followers and facing moral dilemmas—refusing to harm Saul despite multiple opportunities. The final episode, "The King," chronicles David’s ascent to the throne after Saul’s death, marking the start of his complex legacy as Israel’s ruler.
Far from being a sanitized children’s tale, David: King of Israel does not shy away from the darker or more mature aspects of its subject’s life. The series includes dramatic battle scenes, depictions of violence and warfare, and moments of marital sensuality and vague sexual references. One particularly striking scene, as noted in early reviews, recounts Saul’s challenge to David to bring him the foreskins of a hundred dead Philistines—a testament to the show’s commitment to scriptural authenticity. Parental guidance is recommended, with the series deemed suitable for teens and adults.
Alongside its action and intrigue, the docudrama delves into the deeply personal relationships that defined David’s journey. The bond between David and Saul’s son, Jonathan, is portrayed as one of unwavering loyalty and humility. As the narrative unfolds, viewers witness Jonathan’s acceptance of his own displacement in favor of David, forging a friendship that stands as a model of faith-based decision-making and selflessness.
Levi’s narration anchors the series, providing context and perspective as he guides the audience through the twists and turns of David’s life. The show’s creators hope that by blending scriptural fidelity with modern production values, they will reach a diverse audience—both those seeking spiritual inspiration and those drawn by the story’s universal themes. Levi expressed optimism that the series could foster interfaith unity and promote messages of hope and redemption. He remarked, "I walk to the beat of my own drum in Hollywood. I believe when you stand for right and fight for the light you can’t be wrong. I am frustrated with not only Hollywood but the world in general at our inability to see reality sometimes. A lot of people in Hollywood are turned around and confused about all of this. I wish they could see the lies they are believing and perpetuating. We are living in strange times. We need to be coming together and telling stories that are redemptive and full of hope."
The release of David: King of Israel follows the success of last year’s "House of David" miniseries on Amazon Prime Video, which became one of the platform’s most-watched shows. While the earlier series took more creative liberties for entertainment’s sake, Levi explained that the new Fox Nation project "complements" it by "diving straight into the history and the biblical source." This approach, backed by extensive research and expert consultation, sets it apart in the growing field of faith-based streaming content.
For viewers interested in streaming the series, Fox Nation offers broad device compatibility—including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, streaming devices like Roku and Amazon Fire TV, gaming consoles, computers, and major TV providers. International audiences can access the platform using a VPN, connecting to a U.S. server to watch the show from anywhere in the world.
As the weekly episodes continue to roll out, David: King of Israel stands as a bold attempt to reintroduce a foundational biblical story to a contemporary audience. By blending historical rigor, dramatic flair, and a message of enduring hope, the series seeks not just to retell the past, but to inspire new conversations about faith and leadership in a world still wrestling with age-old questions.