Actor Martin Freeman has revealed that his childhood hero was Jesus Christ.
In conversation with The New Statesman, Freeman was asked who he most looks up to.
“My childhood hero was Jesus as portrayed by Robert Powell in the TV series Jesus of Nazareth,” he replied.
“I don’t have a hero now – just people I really admire. Paul McCartney, there’s one.”
The NBC series Jesus of Nazareth aired in 1977. Through preparing for the role, Robert Powell’s own understanding of Christ shifted.
“Now, I do believe in Christ and His divinity, even though I do not necessarily go to church,” he told Movie Stars magazine in 1977.
“Prior to being cast in the part, my knowledge of Christ was limited to Sunday school teachings and religious stories, all on a rather immature level. I knew this would never be enough for me as an actor, to work with in developing a character.
“So I read the Bible through thoroughly, which I’d not done before, taking it apart and analysing it… An actor has to be objective when interpreting a part. Nonetheless, after playing Christ for all these months, it would be difficult not to really believe in him.”