Two new miniseries look at religions’ origins
Easter Sunday brings two ambitious miniseries about the birth of great religions. You can’t get more epic than “A.D. The Bible Continues” (8 p.m. Sunday, WMC-TV Channel 5). Produced by Mark Burnett and Roma Downey, the 12hour miniseries explores the moments leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus (Juan Pablo Di Pace) and the actions of Jewish elders and Romans, including Caiaphas (Richard Coyle) and Pontius Pilate (Vincent Regan), both before and after that fateful day. Greta Scacchi stars as Mary, and Adam Levy as Peter.
In many ways “A.D.” tries to play it two, or too many, ways. Belief in Christ’s resurrection is a matter of faith, and this credibly acted and special effects-filled production is clearly for the faithful who followed “The Bible” (7 p.m. Saturday, History), also produced by Burnett and Downey.
But “A.D.” tries to transcend its passion play origins to become a political thriller and present the real-life motivations of the leaders of Israel, their Roman occupiers, Jewish zealots and early Christians. Playing “The Greatest Story Ever Told” as “House of Cards” may be “A Bridge Too Far” for both believers and the non-observant.
The most notable show of this crowded weekend and perhaps the year is “Wolf Hall” on “Masterpiece” (9 p.m. Sunday, WKNO-TV Channel 10). Acclaimed British stage actor Mark Rylance stars as Thomas Cromwell, the adviser to Henry VIII (Damian Lewis), in this tale of Tudor intrigue adapted from Hilary Mantel’s bestselling books “Wolf Hall” and “Bring Up the Bodies.”
Perhaps not since Al Pacino played Michael Corleone has a character made quiet calculation so menacing and entertaining — and even sexy. Cromwell, born to brutal, humble origins, becomes indispensable to Henry as the king challenges Rome’s authority in hopes of marrying Anne Boleyn (Claire Foy) and securing a male heir.
It’s easy to see why so many dramatists return to this period and these historical characters. This era sees not only the birth of the Church of England, but also translations of the Bible into common tongues. That would bring the English Reformation, revolution and the liberation of the English language, which would reach great heights in the Elizabethan era with the plays of Shakespeare and the publication of the Book of Common Prayer.
SATURDAY’S OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
The NCAA Basketball Tournament (5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., TBS) enters its Final Four stage.
Cassie tries to convince Sam of her hunches on “Good Witch” (7 p.m., Hallmark).
A student becomes a caregiver to the wife of the professor she secretly adores in the 2015 thriller “Killer Crush” (7 p.m., Lifetime).
Buried alive on “In an Instant” (8 p.m., WATNTV Channel 24).
“My Cat From Hell” (7 p.m., Animal Planet) enters a new season.
Jamie Dornan, Julie Walters, Stephen Mangan, Charli XCX and Rita Ora appear on “The Graham Norton Show” (9 p.m., BBC America).
Michael Keaton hosts “Saturday Night Live” (10:30 p.m., WMCTV Channel 5), featuring Carly Rae Jepsen.
SUNDAY’S OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
Scheduled on “60 Minutes” (6 p.m., WREGTV Channel 3): an interview with Jeh Johnson, secretary of Homeland Security; a profile of Wikipedia; Ireland since the Good Friday pact of 1998.
Charlton Heston stars in the 1956 epic “The Ten Commandments” (6 p.m., WATN-TV Channel 24).
A debt crisis on “Madam Secretary” (7 p.m., WREG-TV Channel 3).
The Chicago Cubs host the St. Louis Cardinals (7 p.m., ESPN2) on opening day of the Major League Baseball season.
The four-hour documentary event “Sinatra: All or Nothing at All” (7 p.m., HBO, concluding Monday) celebrates Old Blue Eyes in his centenary year.
The 2015 epic “Killing Jesus” (7 p.m., Fox News) recalls Christ’s last days.
Alicia’s emails loom large on “The Good Wife” (8 p.m., WREG-TV Channel 3).
Edwards’ book creates a stir on “Mr. Selfridge” on “Masterpiece Classic” (8 p.m., WKNOTV Channel 10).