"Discover the story behind one of the most ambitious, yet shortest-lived, biblical epics in broadcast history."
ABC's Of Kings and Prophets arrived in 2016 as a daring attempt to bring prestige, cable-style grit to a broadcast audience. Reimagining the biblical Books of Samuel, the production sought to capture the political intrigue and raw power struggles of ancient Israel. While its broadcast life was cut short after only two episodes, its legacy remains a cautionary tale regarding the influence of high-fantasy aesthetics on network television. The series pushed the boundaries of broadcast standards, aiming for a cinematic scale that few network dramas dared to replicate at the time. Today, it stands as a fascinating artifact of an era when networks pivoted toward edgy, serialized epics. Be sure to set a reminder for any future announcements regarding revivals or spiritual spin-offs.
| # | Air Date | Episode Name | Watched? |
|---|---|---|---|
| E1 | Mar 08, 2016 | Offerings of Blood | |
| E2 | Mar 15, 2016 | Let the Wicked Be Ashamed | |
| E3 | Dec 31, 2016 | Lest I Sleep the Sleep of Death | |
| E4 | Dec 31, 2016 | Beasts of the Reeds | |
| E5 | Dec 31, 2016 | A Little Lower than the Angels | |
| E6 | Dec 31, 2016 | Honor in the Dust | |
| E7 | Dec 31, 2016 | Train My Hands for War | |
| E8 | Dec 31, 2016 | Broken Teeth of the Ungodly | |
| E9 | Dec 31, 2016 | No King is Saved |
Franchise Status: Cancelled
Of Kings and Prophets remains a definitive pillar of Biblical Drama television, having concluded its influential run on ABC. The series attempted to bring a gritty, high-stakes aesthetic to the ancient narratives of the Old Testament, focusing on the complex power dynamics between King Saul and the future King David. Its legacy is found in its ambitious production values and its willingness to explore the violent, political intricacies of the Books of Samuel. For fans of historical epics, it represents a bold experiment in network television that prioritized grounded drama and psychological depth over more traditional or sanitized depictions of these figures.
The show continues to be a rewatch staple because it captures a unique intersection of religious history and cinematic storytelling that few other series have attempted with such scale. Its DNA persists in the way contemporary faith-based media approaches realism and mature themes to reach broader audiences. Despite its brief broadcast window, the series is remembered for its sprawling sets and the intense performances that brought a visceral, human reality to a story of mythic proportions.
You will love the gritty, historical realism and brutal political power struggles of Arthurian Britain.
You will enjoy the same intense blend of historical drama, political intrigue, and religious conflict.
Both shows deliver high-stakes historical epics focused on complex political power struggles and tribal leadership.