Amanda M. Castro is a Network TV writer at Collider and a New York–based journalist whose work has appeared in Newsweek, where she contributes as a Live Blog Editor, and The U.S. Sun, where she previously served as a Senior Consumer Reporter.
She specializes in network television coverage, delivering sharp, thoughtful analysis of long-running procedural hits and ambitious new dramas across broadcast TV. At Collider, Amanda explores character arcs, storytelling trends, and the cultural impact of network series that keep audiences tuning in week after week.
Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Amanda is bilingual and holds a degree in Communication, Film, and Media Studies from the University of New Haven.
Historical dramas are everywhere, but very few feel quite like House of David. Amazon's ambitious biblical epic takes one of the most well-known stories ever and presents it with fantasy series-level scope, a royal drama's political tensions, and a coming-of-age story's emotional stakes. This makes for an extraordinarily distinctive entry in the genre.
House of David, created by Jon Erwin, is about how shepherd David emerged as the king of Israel. The series chronicles his journey from the shadow of oblivion to his famous battle with Goliath and the subsequent events that enable the House of David to supplant the House of Saul. While one might expect this premise to appeal primarily to viewers interested in religion-related programming, House of David works just as well as a grand-scale historical drama. Therefore, whether viewers are familiar with the biblical story of David, they will find that the series offers many incentives to engage.
‘House of David’ Brings One of History’s Greatest Stories to Life
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The first season focuses primarily on the events surrounding King Saul’s (Ali Suliman) decline and David’s (Michael Iskander) emergence as God’s chosen successor. Drawing heavily from the Book of Samuel, the show covers many of the moments audiences know best, including Samuel’s (Stephen Lang) anointing of David, his time in Saul’s court, and, ultimately, the clash with Goliath (Martyn Ford).
Beyond the fact that House of David was based on established source material, it expanded upon the original story through creative references, original subplots, and additional character and sub-character development. While some of these creative decisions work better than others, they provide a means for the series to develop beyond a linear retelling of the original book. Relationships were created with space for growth and development, as well as opportunities for confrontation. Additionally, the overall nature of the political landscape was viewed as being as important as the actual battles themselves.
Through the use of these devices and techniques, the series is presented as having a much broader scope than traditional biblical dramas and is more consistent with large fantasy franchises. There are elements of court intrigue, questions of succession, divided loyalties, and kingdoms preparing for war. Overall, the series may at times feel more like an episode of Game of Thrones than most viewers may think.
Ali Suliman’s Saul Is the Show’s Secret Weapon
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Although Iskander carries the series as David, one of House of David‘s greatest strengths is Suliman’s performance as King Saul, whose fall from grace serves as the emotional hub of the series. He wrestles with his role as king and the tightening noose of his own paranoia, creating much of the story's depth. As such, Saul not only serves as the main antagonist in the story but is also presented as a complex character who is slowly losing everything around him because of his pride and fear.
Saul's dynamic relationship with David is among the strongest thematic elements of the series. Their relationship comprises admiration, suspicion, loyalty, and tragedy, providing much of the tension that elevates nearly every scene they share.
‘House of David’ Looks Bigger Than Most Historical Dramas
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One of the biggest surprises about House of David is how cinematic it feels. Filmed largely in Greece, the series makes impressive use of its locations, creating sweeping landscapes and large-scale battle sequences that give the production an epic quality. The costumes, music, and production design all contribute to a world that feels lived in without sacrificing accessibility.
More importantly, the show never becomes preachy. Faith is central to the story because it was central to these characters' lives, but House of David is interested in ambition, destiny, family, loyalty, and power as much as it is in religion. Biblical adaptations may find an intense audience for their stories, but House of David hopes to reach a wider audience and respects its source material while also creating a relationship with the prestige television and fantasy-epic aesthetic. Some creative choices work better than others, and adding new material to the stories sometimes slows the pacing; nevertheless, the performances and the show's scale make it consistently engaging.
From Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power to Fallout and Reacher, Prime Video has developed a name for genre storytelling. House of David deserves to be mentioned alongside the hits. It’s an unusual blend of history, faith, and political drama that doesn’t really have many direct comparisons. In a crowded landscape full of historical dramas trying to imitate one another, House of David stands out by doing something most series never attempt: making one of humanity’s oldest stories feel fresh again.
Image via ©Amazon / MGM Studios / Courtesy Everett Collection
Image via Prime Video
Image via Prime Video
Image via Prime Video
English (US) ·