A surprising announcement from Fox News has left several actors, including Kristen Bell and Brian Cox, in a state of confusion. The network revealed their names as part of the cast for the upcoming podcast, The Life of Jesus Christ Podcast, without their prior knowledge. The podcast is set to explore the “life, teachings, and miracles of Jesus Christ” across 52 episodes, with each segment introduced by Fox News anchor Ainsley Earhardt.
The cast list included prominent figures such as Bell voicing Mary Magdalene, Cox as the Voice of God, and other notable actors including Sean Astin as Matthew and Neal McDonough as Jesus. However, both Bell and Cox quickly stepped forward to clarify their lack of involvement in this new project. They revealed that they had previously lent their voices to a different project titled The Truth and Life Dramatised Audio Bible, which was released in 2010. This earlier work, now licensed by Fox News, was rebranded without their consent.
Bell expressed her shock through representatives, stating she was unaware her name would be associated with the podcast until just one day before the official announcement. Similarly, Cox’s team confirmed that he had no knowledge that the original audio would be repurposed for this new series. The confusion extended to other cast members, with Malcolm McDowell also stating he learned about the project at the same time as the public.
Cox, known for his role in the acclaimed series Succession, has previously been outspoken about the right-wing network. In 2021, he referred to Fox News as “the devil,” a sentiment echoed by McDowell, who portrayed Rupert Murdoch in the film Bombshell, which depicted the scandals surrounding the network.
Amidst the backlash, Fox News responded to the situation, asserting that the podcast would proceed with the “full cooperation and participation by all the actors involved.” The series is slated to begin its rollout on November 30, 2023, raising questions about the extent of the actors’ involvement in the project moving forward, regardless of their stated lack of consent.
As the podcast prepares for its launch, the episode rollout will likely draw considerable attention, not just for its content but for the circumstances surrounding the casting of these prominent actors. The situation serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in licensing and repurposing media, particularly when it comes to high-profile individuals.
