John Rhys-Davies on narrating The Christ and why the spoken word still moves audiences.
John Rhys-Davies has built a career bringing unforgettable characters to life across film, television, and voice performance. From portraying Gimli in The Lord of the Rings trilogy to Sallah in the Indiana Jones franchise and Professor Arturo in Sliders, the veteran actor has long been associated with stories that explore heroism, history, and humanity. Now, Rhys-Davies lends his commanding voice to The Christ, a four-part cinematic audio drama that chronicles the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth through immersive sound and performance.
When reflecting on the significance of narrating such an influential story, Rhys-Davies spoke about the lasting cultural impact of early Christian teachings and their influence on modern freedoms. He explained that “almost everything that we cherish and value comes from these simple people who lived 2,000 years ago,” noting that “everything that we cherish, freedom of speech, the right to think what you choose to think, comes from those early Christians who said, I will not… I do not believe that I should worship the emperor.” He emphasized that these ideas helped shape the democratic spirit, in which communities gathered to express their beliefs and creativity through shared voices and traditions.
From Sacred Words to Artistic Tradition
Rhys-Davies connected the evolution of storytelling to the broader artistic traditions that developed from early Christian worship. He described how spoken prayer and communal participation led to musical expression that continues to influence culture today. He explained that when early believers gathered, they would use their voices collectively, encouraging one another to shape prayer through music. From those moments, traditions such as plainchant evolved, eventually contributing to the development of the Mass and to centuries of musical composition.
He described how artistic expression grew through encouragement and creative exploration, recalling how composers were often challenged to create works that celebrated spiritual themes with increasing depth and complexity. He pointed out that composers across generations contributed to the evolving tradition, explaining that creativity enabled artists to continually add meaning to existing narratives. According to Rhys-Davies, this willingness to expand creative boundaries demonstrates cultural confidence, allowing faith traditions to embrace artistic interpretation while maintaining their core message.
An Epic Story Told Through an Intimate Medium
Despite the cinematic scale of The Christ, Rhys-Davies acknowledged the irony of describing a podcast as epic, noting humorously that “there’s something absurd about pod and epic, isn’t there? Pod is such a small thing… and yet, I suppose it is. A pod holds a seed, and a seed may well have an epic outcome.” That perspective reflects the production’s ambition, which combines layered sound design, music, and performance to create a listening experience as immersive as a feature film.
The four-part series unfolds across Holy Week, allowing listeners to experience the story through sound alone. Rhys-Davies emphasized that this format connects to longstanding storytelling traditions, recalling how audiences once gathered for extended sermons that explored spiritual meaning in depth. He explained that listeners historically sought deeper understanding, noting that “they didn’t want a half-hour sermon, they wanted three or four hours. They wanted exposition. They wanted to explore the richness of a spiritual life.”
He added that storytelling itself begins with language, emphasizing that “in the beginning was the Word… and the Word was God… in the beginning is the Word, is the start for all real stories, isn’t it? Once upon a time.”
The Craft of Voice Performance
Rhys-Davies’ narration anchors the emotional rhythm of The Christ, guiding listeners through moments of reflection, tension, and revelation. Drawing from his classical stage background, he explained that vocal clarity and intention remain essential to storytelling.
“The first courtesy of the stage is that you are heard,” he said, adding that “the second courtesy is that you’re not just heard, but people can understand what you are saying.” He explained that these principles develop over time through experience and discipline, shaping how performers connect with audiences.
Voice acting requires a unique approach compared to on-camera roles. Rhys-Davies described how actors must rely entirely on vocal nuance to communicate emotion and narrative momentum. He explained that “when you have to tell a story and give it colors just through the voice, that’s another particularly different sort of challenge and it’s very interesting to do so.” He added that narration involves careful pacing and structure, noting that he often revisits passages multiple times to ensure transitions feel natural and emotionally consistent.
By adjusting tone, rhythm, and emphasis, performers can guide audiences through the emotional arc of the story. According to Rhys-Davies, these choices are not tricks but rather tools that help shape audience engagement and understanding.
Language, Faith, and Emotional Resonance
Rhys-Davies also reflected on how language itself can evoke emotional response, recalling formative experiences hearing sermons delivered in Welsh. Even without fully understanding the language at the time, the rhythm and tone left a lasting impression on him as a performer.
He explained that powerful speech can convey meaning beyond literal comprehension, describing the Welsh phrasing of the Lord’s Prayer as imbued with a sense of mystery and reverence that transcends translation. Those experiences helped shape his understanding of how storytelling connects audiences to deeper emotional truths.
According to Rhys-Davies, drama and faith share a natural relationship, as both rely on the ability to communicate meaning through voice, rhythm, and shared experience. That connection lies at the heart of The Christ, which uses performance and sound design to create a contemplative listening environment.
A Story Designed to Be Shared
Throughout the conversation, Rhys-Davies emphasized that storytelling ultimately exists to be shared. He described how compelling narratives inspire audiences to pass stories forward, creating lasting cultural impact.
Moments within the Gospel narrative continue to resonate across generations, illustrating the emotional depth of the story. He highlighted how dramatic storytelling can transform familiar passages into vivid experiences, reminding listeners of the enduring power of narrative.
He explained that the goal of narration is to deliver the story in a way that fully engages the listener, creating anticipation and emotional investment. By guiding audiences through moments of tension and revelation, voice performance allows listeners to rediscover stories they may already know.
A Timely Release for Holy Week
Released during Holy Week, The Christ unfolds across four episodes that explore prophecy, ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection. The production features a distinguished cast including Tom Pelphrey as Jesus, David Oyelowo as Pontius Pilate, Paul Walter Hauser as John the Baptist, Patricia Heaton as host, Courtney Hope as Mary, and Rhys-Davies as narrator.
Through cinematic sound design and powerful performances, the series presents a story that continues to influence art, culture, and faith traditions worldwide.
For audiences seeking an immersive storytelling experience, The Christ Podcast demonstrates how audio drama can deliver emotional depth and narrative scale equal to any visual medium. For more information visit https://thechristpodcast.com.
Series Details
Directors: Mark Ramsey and Paul G. Cuschieri
Writer: Paul G. Cuschieri
Producers: Mark Ramsey and Jim Young
Cast: Tom Pelphrey, David Oyelowo, Paul Walter Hauser, Patricia Heaton, Courtney Hope, and John Rhys-Davies
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Sean Tajipour
Sean Tajipour is the Founder and Editor of Nerdtropolis and the host of the Moviegoers Society and Reel Insights Podcast. He is also a member of the Critics Choice Association. You can follow on Twitter and Instagram @Seantaj.
