Roma Downey and Mark Burnett’s original NBC series, A.D., will premiere Easter Sunday, April 5, 2015. A.D. is the highly anticipated follow-up to the 2013 ratings blockbuster miniseries The Bible, which garnered over 100 million U.S. viewers.

“Christianity is among the most diverse movements in history, so when Mark and I looked to bring this epic story of A.D. to life on NBC, it was important to us to find a cast as diverse and beautiful as the church is around the world,” said Downey, executive producer. “We look forward to sharing these amazing performances with our audience, and in them, we hope that people see themselves.”

Juan Pablo di Pace, the critically acclaimed Argentinean actor, has been cast as Jesus. He is best known for his portrayal of Petros in the hit film Mamma Mia, along with award-winning theater work in London and Spain and a recurring role on the NBC show Camp.  The cast of A.D. hails from more than 10 nations, including John (Babou Ceesay from Gambia); Mary Magdalene (Chipo Chung from Zimbabwe); Mother Mary (Greta Scacchi from Italy); and Judas (Cesare Taurasi from Italy).

Picking up where The Bible ended, the new series follows the first 10 chapters of the book of Acts, taking the audience from the sorrow of Christ’s sacrifice to the wonder of His resurrection and beyond to the birth of the church.