Israelis star in Netflix bible epic ‘Mary,’ also with Anthony Hopkins
Movie features Noa Cohen, 21, in the titular role as the mother of Jesus; director says Israeli cast was important for ‘authenticity’
Several Israeli actors are starring alongside Sir Anthony Hopkins in a new biblical epic film about Mary, the mother of Jesus, set to be released on Netflix in early December.
The movie, titled “Mary“, will star 21-year-old Israeli actress Noa Cohen in the titular role, as well as 22-year-old Israeli actor Ido Tako as Joseph. The two young Israelis will share the screen with the British film and stage legend Hopkins, who portrays King Herod.
The film’s director D.J. Caruso described the film to Entertainment Weekly as a “coming of age” story about a “smart, strong-willed young woman facing monumental challenges: overcoming social stigma, evading a jealous king and bearing the weight of a world-changing destiny.”
As for casting Israeli actors in the lead roles, Caruso said that it was “important to us that Mary, along with most of our primary cast, be selected from Israel to ensure authenticity.”
Noa Cohen has starred in several Israeli movies and TV shows, such as “Silent Game” and “8200,” but the lead role in a Netflix movie about one of the most famous figures in history will bring her in front of international audiences for the first time.
The film’s cast features several other Israeli actors, such as Ori Pfeffer, Mili Avital, Keren Tzur and Hilla Vidor.
While most of the cast are relatively unknown Israeli actors, two-time Academy Award-winning Hopkins brings star power to the movie as the king of Judea.
Hopkins has acted in several movies centering on Jewish stories, recently starring in “One Life,” the story of Sir Nicholas Winton, known as the “British Schindler,” who saved 669 Jewish children from the Nazis during World War II.
The film, shot in Morocco, grapples with the young Mary’s immaculate conception, the birth of Jesus and King Herod’s “murderous hunt” to track them down, fearing a threat to his rule.
Understanding the sensitivity that comes with portraying a story from the bible, especially one as important as Jesus’ birth, the film’s director said that the film’s writing and production were done with “great care” to create “a story that feels both sacred and modern.”
The New Testament epic will be released on Netflix on December 6.
The Times of Israel Community.