AN EPIC BIBLICAL SAGA AS TOLD THROUGH THE EYES OF A BATTLE-WEARY KING, A RESENTFUL PROPHET AND A RESOURCEFUL YOUNG SHEPHERD, ON THE SERIES PREMIERE "OF KINGS AND PROPHETS," TUESDAY, MARCH 8

"Offerings of Blood" - The battle-weary King Saul (Ray Winstone) struggles to defend his Kingdom from one of Israel's ancient enemies, the Philistines, by marrying off his daughter, Merav (Jeanine Mason), to Mattiyahu of Judah (guest star Matt Whelan). All are hopeful this strategic marriage will unify the twelve Israelite tribes. In the midst of the wedding preparations, the prophet Samuel (Mohammad Bakri) beckons Saul and relays a message from God that he must destroy the Amalekites, another of Israel's ancient enemies. Saul dares to challenge the Prophet Samuel, setting in motion a series of calamities that will threaten his rule of the kingdom.

Meanwhile, the shepherd, David (Olly Rix), is determined to settle his family's debts. He travels to the King's palace in Gibeah with his cousin Yoab (David Walmsley) and makes the bold proposition that he can kill the lion hunting his flock. Queen Ahinoam (Simone Kessel) scoffs at David, but daughter Michal (Maisie Richardson-Sellers) thinks he just might accomplish this dangerous feat, on the series premiere of "Of Kings and Prophets," airing TUESDAY, MARCH 8, (10:00--11:00 p.m. EST) on the ABC Television Network.

"Of Kings and Prophets" stars Ray Winstone as King Saul, Olly Rix as David, Mohammad Bakri as Samuel, Simone Kessell as Queen Ahinoam, Nathaniel Parker as King Achish, Haaz Sleiman as Jonathan, James Floyd as Ishbaal, Maisie Richardson-Sellers as Michal, Jeanine Mason as Merav, David Walmsley as Yoab.

Guest starring are Christina Chong as Rizpah, David Butler as Eitan the Elder of Judah, Garth Collins as Goliath, Danny Keogh as Jesse, Matt Whelan as Mattiyahu, David Dennis as Hanoch the Elder of Ruben, Abduraghmaan Adams as King Agag, Joe Vaz as tax collector. Additional guest cast TBD.

"Offerings of Blood" was written by Adam Cooper & Bill Collage and directed by Michael Offer.

"Of Kings and Prophets" was developed by Adam Cooper & Bill Collage. The executive producers are Chris Brancato, Adam Cooper, Bill Collage, Reza Aslan, Jason T. Reed, Mahyad Tousi. "Of Kings and Prophets" is produced by ABC Studios.