NBC's 'A.D.' Trailer Promo Released: Riveting Portrayal Of Passion Of Christ

This Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27, 2014, NBC is releasing the official trailer of the epic "A.D." – a 12-episode TV mini-series that promises to jolt viewers with a fresh and riveting portrayal of the Passion of Christ.

The new series will premiere on NBC on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2015.

In the new promo video, viewers can sample the highlights of this exquisitely produced series on the life of Jesus Christ, particularly his crucifixion and its aftermath.

"A.D." picks up right where "The Bible" series left off last year. It takes viewers on the agonizing yet inspiring journey taken by Jesus Christ and his disciples leading to the birth of Christianity.

Specifically, it depicts the events described in the first 10 chapters of the Book of Acts, focusing on Christ's death and how it completely changed the course of human history in an instant.

The series presents a compelling narrative on how Christ's crucifixion impacted on his disciples, his mother Mary and key political and religious leaders of the era. It shows how Jesus' disciples struggled to survive the crackdown imposed by the authorities on the followers of Christ and how they managed to spread the Good News of Christ's resurrection and divinity to the people of the world.

Heading the multinational cast is Argentine actor Juan Pablo di Pace who portrays Jesus Christ. Joining him are Greta Scacchi (as Mother Mary), Babou Ceesay (as John), Adam Levy (as Peter), Emmet Scanlan (as Saul), Chipo Chung (as Mary Magdalene), Richard Coyle (as Caiaphas), Vincent Regan (as Pilate), Jodhi May (as Leah, wife of the High Priest Caiaphas), and Joanne Whalley (as Claudia, wife of Pilate).

The show's executive producers are Mark Burnett and his wife Roma Downey.

Burnett likens the potential viewership impact of "A.D." to the "Game of Thrones" and "House of Cards" among other hit TV series. "This could become NBC's biggest series in many, many years," he tells Forbes Magazine.

Burnett says the show has a "global safety net," citing the movie "Noah" which failed to earn back its $100 million budget in the U.S. but went on to earn $355 million worldwide.

The husband-and-wife producers say they consulted with multiple religious figures such as Joel Osteen, T.D. Jakes, Cardinal Donald Wuerl, the WEA's Geoff Tunnicliffe and Rick Warren to ensure that nothing controversial or inaccurate would appear in the series.

Commenting on the new series, Joel and Victoria Osteen from Lakewood Church say they believe "A.D." will "stir people's hearts as they discover that the Gospel is still as relevant today as it was two thousand years ago."

They urge everyone to watch and experience "this powerful message of faith, sacrifice and victory."