Is Netflix’s Mary based on true story? (Image via Netflix)

Is Netflix’s Mary based on true story? Explained

Modified Nov 18, 2024 10:12 GMT

Netflix’s Mary is a new faith-based film set to premiere, on December 6, 2024. Directed by D.J. Caruso and featuring Anthony Hopkins, Noa Cohen, and Ido Tako, this biblical epic explores the well-known and revered story of the Virgin Mary. The streaming giant continues to expand into faith-centric programming, and Mary promises to be a compelling portrayal aimed at religious audiences.

Yes, Mary is based on a true story as it is drawn from the biblical account of Mary, the mother of Jesus. The movie follows the New Testament story, showing Mary's journey from conception to the birth of Jesus and her struggles during King Herod's rule. While certain dramatic elements have been heightened for cinematic purposes, the film stays true to the religious texts.

Written by Timothy Michael Hayes, Netflix’s Mary is a movie that comes from careful study and discussions with religious experts from different beliefs. It features a cast of Israeli actors and was filmed in Morocco to make it feel more real.

With Joel Osteen as one of the producers, Mary offers a mix of spiritual wisdom and epic storytelling that aligns with Netflix's increasing investment in faith-based content.

What is Netflix’s Mary about?

Mary tells the story from the Bible about the Virgin Mary, a young Jewish woman from Nazareth, who was chosen by God to conceive his son. After the angel Gabriel tells her the news, Mary faces suspicion and isolation due to her miraculous pregnancy.

After Jesus is born, she and Joseph have to protect him from King Herod, who, fearing the prophesied Messiah, orders the killing of innocent children. This dangerous journey to Egypt, driven by strong faith, shows Mary's strength and the sacrifices made to protect her son's future.

The narrative offers a fresh, humanized perspective by focusing on Mary’s experiences as a mother in an unforgiving world. The director, D.J. Caruso, worked closely with Bishop David G. O'Connell as a spiritual advisor, ensuring the portrayal remained respectful and accurate to the source material.

The script went through many changes to effectively convey Mary's deep story and be enjoyable for both religious and general viewers.

Cast of Netflix’s Mary

The cast of Netflix’s Mary is led by newcomer Noa Cohen as Mary, who was selected after an extensive audition process involving around 75 candidates. Ido Tako plays Joseph, while Anthony Hopkins takes on the formidable role of King Herod. The following is the cast list of Netflix’s Mary

Noa Cohen as Mary
Mila Harris as young Mary
Ido Tako as Joseph
Anthony Hopkins as King Herod
Stephanie Nur as Salome
Susan Brown as Anna the Prophetess
Ori Pfeffer as Joachim
Eamon Farren as Satan
Hilla Vidor as Anne
Mili Avital as Mariamne
Dudley O’Shaughnessy as Gabriel
Keren Tzur as Elizabeth
Mehmet Kurtuluş as Baba ben Buta
Lina Sophia as Rachel
Jade Croot as Sarah
Kelsie Lewis as Leah
Tarrick Benham as Jonathan
Soufiane El Khalidy as Frustrated Pilgrim
Jay Willick as King Melchior
Gudmundur Thorvaldsson as Marcellus
Milo Djurovic as Malachi
Moumouni Seydou as King Balthasar
Saikat Ahamed as King Casper
Miguel Ángel Alarcón as Fisherman
David Gant as Simeon
Chelkhaoui Chahine as Young Noam
Christopher Evangelou as Captain Fiore
Brahim Rachiki as Wedding Priest
Mustapha Makhada as Muscular Priest
Tarik Rmili as Surly Carpenter
Mahdi Chalkhaoui as Noam
Sami Ahedda as Asher
Allon Sylvain as Zechariah
Nada El Belkasmi as Temple Nurse
Sami Fekkak as Alexander
Brice Bexter as Aristobulus IV
Natasha Duran as Fisherman's Wife
Ben Affan as Eleazar
Jaouhar Ben Ayed as Shepherd
Charley Boon as Lev
Angie Staten as Salome's Handmaid
Marie-Batoul Prenant as Young Joseph's Mother
Salim Benmoussa as High Priest Aristobulus
Said el Hamdi as Head Soldier
Zak Robertson as Eitan
Aïssam Bouali as Bald Priest
Kamal Moummad as Vihaan

Supporting roles feature actors like Gudmundur Thorvaldsson and Dudley O’Shaughnessy, adding depth to this historic reimagining. Mary marks another step in Netflix's dedication to diversifying its content, following previous successes like Testament: The Story of Moses.

The anticipation surrounding Mary reflects a continued appetite for faith-based films that resonate with audiences, highlighting timeless themes of courage, devotion, and divine purpose.

Fans of faith movies can watch Netflix’s Mary starting on December 6, 2024.