Northwestern Brings the Greatest Story Ever Told to Your Earbuds

Every spring, the Church around the world pauses to remember the story of Jesus — His death, His burial, and His resurrection. It’s a story most people think they already know. But this Easter, Northwestern Media is inviting listeners to experience it in a way they never have before.

THE CHRIST is a four-part audio drama launching Easter week 2026, with the first episode releasing March 30. Produced by Northwestern’s Faith Podcast Network, the series brings the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus to life through world-class voice talent, cinematic sound design, and stirring music. It is free to listen to on any major podcast platform or at TheChristPodcast.com.

What Is THE CHRIST?

THE CHRIST is the first full-scale audio dramatization of Jesus’ life. Over four immersive episodes, listeners are moved from the birth of Jesus through His death and resurrection. Created by an award-winning production team, the series features more than 100 characters, cinematic sound design, and an original score crafted to draw listeners into ancient Jerusalem and the hills of Galilee.

Each episode is rooted in biblical truth and designed to help listeners not just understand the Gospel but encounter it. It is a story told with the weight and care it deserves — not a lecture or a sermon, but a lived experience that meets people wherever they are on their spiritual journey.

“We set out to create the most immersive, soul-stirring audio experience of the Gospel ever produced,” said Karisa Rogers, manager of the Faith Podcast Network. “This extraordinary cast brings both dramatic weight and genuine faith to the greatest story ever told.”

A Cast You Might Recognize

One of the first things people notice about THE CHRIST is who’s in it. The series features Emmy Award-winner Tom Pelphrey as Jesus, joined by Emmy and Golden Globe-winner Paul Walter Hauser as John the Baptist and Emmy and Golden Globe-nominee David Oyelowo as Pontius Pilate. Emmy Award-winner Patricia Heaton serves as host, and beloved actor John Rhys-Davies narrates the series.

It’s a remarkable lineup for any production, and it reflects the seriousness of purpose behind this project. These performers brought genuine craft and care to a story that has shaped the world for two thousand years.

Why Audio? Why Now?

The choice to tell this story through audio is both intentional and timely. Unlike film or television, audio is deeply personal. It travels with you on a morning commute, a quiet walk, or a moment of stillness before the day begins. There is no screen required, no appointment to keep. The story simply meets you where you are.

Northwestern Media has been using audio to point people to Jesus since 1949, and THE CHRIST is a natural extension of that mission. With podcast listening continuing to grow across every age group, Faith Podcasts recognized an opportunity to reach believers and curious seekers alike through a format they already love and use every day. The result is something that feels both ancient and immediate.

The four episodes release daily beginning March 30, walking listeners through the anticipation of Jesus’ coming, the miracles and teachings of His ministry, the weight of the passion story, and finally, the hope of the resurrection.

More Than Entertainment

While THE CHRIST is beautifully produced, we want to frame it as an invitation to encounter the Gospel in a meaningful way. A companion study guide is available for those who want to go deeper, with daily readings and reflection questions tied to each episode. Churches and radio stations across the country have embraced the series as a resource for their congregations and listeners during Holy Week.

Faith Podcasts is distributing the series across Northwestern Media’s 15-station radio network as well as all major podcast platforms.

Northwestern Media’s Growing Reach

Northwestern Media is the media ministry of University of Northwestern. The network broadcasts stations on 127 signals across the United States and has launched the Faith Podcast Network to create and distribute original content digitally.  

THE CHRIST represents something significant for Northwestern. It is a demonstration that faith-based media can compete at the highest level of production quality, and that there is a real and growing audience hungry for content that takes the Gospel seriously.

For students interested in media, communications, broadcasting, or ministry, this project is a living example of what it looks like when those fields come together with purpose. The skills developed at the University of Northwestern (writing, production, storytelling, digital media) are exactly the kinds of skills that made a project like this possible.

As listeners across the country open their podcast apps this Easter week, many of them will encounter the story of Jesus in a way they never have before. Pray for those who listen, that they may encounter Jesus in a fresh way.

THE CHRIST is free to listen to wherever you get your podcasts. You can also find it at TheChristPodcast.com. The first episode releases March 30, 2026.