ABC’s new biblical drama, Of Kings and Prophets, premiered yesterday and already it’s receiving some serious backlash. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Parents Television Council has heavily criticized the new series for its sexual and violent content.
Of Kings and Prophets stars Ray Winstone, Olly Rix, Simone Kessell, and James Floyd in fictionalized versions of Old Testament stories.
In a statement, PTC president Tim Winter said the series “demonstrates a disconnect” between the entertainment industry and family audiences:
The real question here is, why wouldn’t ABC and the show’s producers want to reach the largest audience possible by making a series based on the Bible able to be viewed by families? Instead it appears that their primary objective was to be edgy and explicit, rather than to entertain with a biblical story. And in so doing, they’re carving away a large percentage of their potential market. This further demonstrates a disconnect between what the entertainment industry wants to produce and what family audiences want to consume.”
Earlier this winter, series showrunner Chris Brancato said Of Kings and Prophets would be “violent and sex-drenched”:
We’re going to go as far as we can.… This story is an Old Testament [one that’s] violent [and] sex-drenched. It’s one of the world’s first soap operas.… You will watch a show that is tasteful but that also tells the story you can read if you want to pick up the Bible.”
On their website, the PTC has further responded to the series by asking advertisers to “carefully consider content before advertising on Of Kings and Prophets”:
It is our sincere hope that advertisers take heed and choose to put their sponsorship dollars towards programming that isn’t saturated with sex and violence and which could harm children.”
So far, Of Kings and Prophets is not performing particularly well in the ratings. Last night’s premiere only received around 3.3 million viewers.
What do you think? Did you watch the premiere of Of Kings and Prophets? Did you find it glaringly inappropriate? Do you agree with the Parents Television Council?
I was late in finding out about the show but watched in on On Demand. Then I was looking for the next one. I really liked it and would have given it a 5 star rating.
Can you offer it in another time slot or format?
Very disappointed the series is done. It’s history, truth and teachings. It started with a bang, watched it wit my daughter. You captured young viewers! and let them down….But lets fill them with watch more vampires, demons, zombies and top it with Lucifer! Great job
I’m really upset with ABC for putting Of Kings and Prophets up against OJ Simpson with out first giving it a chance to draw an audience in another time slot. It was setup to fail. Its first two episodes were excellent to say the least. I was looking forward to the next episode. I’ve be trying to find the DVD set which is sold out any where you look for it. That lets you know it was setup to fail because DVD sales don’t lie.
Excellent, saw two episodes, whish I could have more. Yes there is violence, and some sex, but its the Old T for Christ sake! Whatever, I think the PTC is full of it, and upset because it is a realistic depiction of Old T events, and not some fantasy version of such. Please, what hypocracy, and we all know what happens to them, in the end.
I loved it & was anxiously awaiting for the next episode. Just FYI I had stopped watching Quantico. It got boring & so predictable. Ughhhhh
disappointed.. sad..this show was never given a chance. I was so excited couldn’t wait till the next one.after the first two my friend and i would talk for an hour or more about the meaning it shared , or the story to come next, not about the content and violence but the views of the bible that i may not understand reading alone but i can by watching the story come to life, with 3 million viewers in 2 shows by the 4-5 episode word of mouth how good it is maybe 10 million .i pray PTC renew …..don’t take… Read more »
It’s a shame that this show was never given a real chance. Funny how people are so “touchy” about how their religion is depicted.
I can’t describe how disappointed I was to find out Of Kings and Prophets was cancelled! I dvr the show and was just telling everyone to watch the next episodes, had a lot of people excited to see what I was talking about. The Bible “days” were not easy times, people were stoned to death for things we turn our back on today! I hope they bring it back even a different channel. Parents if you are in control of your household, turn the channel, go watch something you find “appropriate” for your kids! Technology today makes it very easy… Read more »