Network: NBC
Episodes: 13 (hour)
Seasons: One
TV show dates: March 15, 2009 – July 25, 2009
Series status: Cancelled
Performers include: Ian McShane, Christopher Egan, Dylan Baker, Susanna Thompson, Eamonn Walker, Michael Patrick Crane, Allison Miller, Sebastian Stan, Jason Antoon, Joel Garland, Wes Studi, Marlyne Afflack, Sarita Choudhury, Steve Rosen, Macaulay Culkin, Becky Ann Baker, Hisham Tawfiq, Kadin George, Kobi George, and Quarles Antoine.
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TV show description:
A retelling of the King David story from the Bible, this TV series revolves around power struggles, romance, secret alliances and a young hero who rises to power in a modern-day kingdom.
The country of Gilboa bears a close resemblance to a modern day United States, except that it is an absolute monarchy, ruled by King Silas Benjamin (Ian McShane). The kingdom was formed two decades earlier from three warring nations. Silas believes his power to be divine and often sites the day when a swarm of butterflies landed on his head to form a “living crown.”
Living in the pristine capital city of Shiloh, Silas must deal with the rising tensions between Gilboa and the neighboring nation of Gath. When several prisoners of war are taken, a young and idealistic Gilboan soldier named David Shepherd (Chris Egan) defies orders and crosses enemy lines to save them.
Unknown to David, one of the soldiers he saves is Jack Benjamin (Sebastian Stan), the king’s ambitious son and a closet homosexual. David becomes an instant star in the national media, much to the chagrin of the prince.
Silas promotes David to Captain and thrusts him into the role of media liaison. David finds himself surrounded by a world of royal court policies, unaware of the many different forces at work, including Gilboa’s head of the military, General Linus Abner (Wes Studi). David soon develops feelings for Princess Michelle, the king’s beautiful intelligent and outspoken daughter, and she seems to return them.
David also experiences the “living crown” of butterflies which seems to indicate that God has chosen a new ruler, much to Silas’ chagrin. Religious leader Reverend Ephram Samuels (Eamonn Walker) has backed Silas but begins to change his mind.
But the king has other challenges as well. His policies and actions are being manipulated by his brother-in-law, William Cross (Dylan Baker), who holds a great deal of influence over the royal treasury.
