There’s a fresh cinematic biblical epic that has arrived, and it’s unlike any that have come before it. Jeymes Samuel’s “The Book of Clarence,” the vibrant follow-up to his remarkable all-Black Western “The Harder They Fall,” gives the traditional sword-and-sandal genre a bold and funky twist.
Scheduled for release on January 12th through Sony’s Tristar Pictures, this Legendary film counts Jay-Z among its executive producers. It tells the story of a Holy Land hustler and religious skeptic (LaKeith Stanfield), who assumes the role of a Messiah to settle some debts. The movie features a chariot-racing Mary Magdalene (Teyana Taylor), a nonchalant John the Baptist (David Oyelowo), and a fearless Virgin Mary (Alfre Woodard) who isn’t afraid to put doubters in their place. And then there’s Jesus Christ himself, portrayed with a captivating air of silence by Nicholas Pinnock, who is later revealed to be the all-powerful man beneath the robe.
For Pinnock, who is set to begin shooting Nia DaCosta’s “Hedda Gabler” adaptation starring Tessa Thompson and has Steven Knight’s series “This Town” in the pipeline, playing Jesus Christ is the most iconic role he has ever taken on. In an interview with Variety, he reveals that his friend Jeymes Samuel initially hesitated to cast him in the role.
The Surprising Offer to Play Jesus
Genuinely, I couldn’t believe it when Jeymes Samuel asked me to play Jesus Christ. Initially, he had called me in to discuss another role, but he thought it wasn’t the right fit for me. We were actually supposed to work together on “The Harder They Fall,” but it didn’t align with his schedule. So I went over to his house, and we had a conversation. He showed me bits of the script, and while I was reading, he suddenly said, “Oh, shit. Yeah, it’s gonna have to be Jesus.” I was shocked, surprised, and thrilled because it’s a fantastic role. It’s not every day that you get the opportunity to portray one of, if not the most, iconic figure in history.
When I spoke to him last year, Jeymes mentioned that he was reluctant to give me the role because he knows me so well.
He didn’t want to give me the role! I’ve known him for 16 years, and he said he didn’t want to give it to me. He was really upset when he made the decision that, he knew, was the right one for him.
Yeah, he said you were—unfortunately—too perfect for the role, and he begrudgingly gave it to you.
Whenever Jeymes tells me he hates me, it’s usually when we’re on set, and I’m doing exactly what he wants or when I’ve delivered something unexpected that he really liked, but he’s annoyed because it wasn’t his idea. “I hate you!” But it’s all love.
The Element of Surprise
I really like the fact that the audience doesn’t realize it’s me playing Jesus until later in the film. Most of the time, I’m hidden behind robes or this holy light. And then suddenly, it’s like, “Oh, it’s Nicholas Pinnock playing Jesus, great!” Have you had any fun reactions from people finding out it’s you?
It wasn’t initially written that way. I told Jeymes that we needed to keep Jesus a mystery because he’s a mystery to Clarence. We needed to keep him a mystery to the audience, to reveal him only when he speaks. Jeymes reluctantly agreed, saying, “Ah, fuck, you’re right.” But we did it, and I think it works. Until recently, on IMDb, my name wasn’t associated with the role. Many people have told me that for a while, they didn’t see me in the film, and they didn’t know which role I had. And then, when the hood came off, they were pleasantly surprised—thankfully, pleasantly surprised! They weren’t expecting it and thought Jesus would remain covered throughout the entire movie.
The Smoothness of Jesus
Your portrayal of Jesus is smooth and calm. Was there a specific mood you were aiming for?
With all the comedy and chaos surrounding Clarence, Jeymes wanted Jesus to be an absolute contrast—smoothness and calmness to cut through it all. That’s what I tried to deliver, to be noble, soft, and gentle as we depicted Jesus. Most people are familiar with the Robert Powell version of Jesus, which showcased a range of emotions, from anger and frustration to serenity. However, this story is about Clarence. We only see a small part of his journey. Rather than confusing the audience or overwhelming them with too much Jesus, we wanted to give them what they needed.
Breaking Barriers
You mentioned Robert Powell’s version. You have joined a relatively small group of actors who have played Jesus, and unsurprisingly, it has been predominantly white actors. There may have only been one Black actor to have played Jesus before.
Oh wow, and I think I might be the oldest actor to have taken on the role. I’m 50.
How does it feel to be one of possibly just two Black actors to have played Jesus?
For me, it’s simply a role. I’m an actor, and it doesn’t really feel like anything in particular. We are storytellers, and anyone can tell any story. Whether I play a woman, someone who is gay, or someone outside my demographic, it’s all about telling a story. However, I fully understand and acknowledge what it means for the community. It’s a modern take on a historical figure that has always been portrayed in a specific way. So being part of something that is changing the paradigm and altering people’s perception is wonderful.
A Unique Perspective
Jeymes mentioned that he wanted to tell a biblical story but set it in the London he grew up in.
Absolutely, because we’ve never seen it depicted like that before. When “Jesus Christ Superstar” was made, the only person of Black skin was cast as Judas—a telling message. Now it’s time to tell the story differently.
A Role to Remember
Do you realize that playing Christ is likely to be a significant highlight on your resume from now on?
Most probably. It’s definitely the most iconic role I’ve had the pleasure of taking on.
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