*In the world of biblical adaptations, “House of David” offers a fresh and bold perspective on one of history’s most iconic figures. Prime Video’s upcoming series, created by Jon Erwin, takes viewers inside the life of David, exploring not just the famous battles and triumphs, but also the human journey of destiny, faith, and self-discovery.
In an exclusive conversation, Erwin opens up about what inspired him to bring this epic story to the screen, the significance of David’s legacy, and what makes his interpretation of this timeless tale unique.
For Erwin, the story of David is more than just historical fiction—it’s deeply personal.
“At the end of the day, the best stories as a storyteller are the ones that you deeply love and are life-changing to you,” Erwin explained. “And then you just hope they’re going to be meaningful and life-changing to other people.” His passion for the narrative of David began at a young age and has been a driving force throughout his career.
Erwin recalled how his journey into filmmaking began with his very first camera, a Canon XL1, purchased by his father when he was just 16 years old.
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“My dad bought it for me with money he did not have,” Erwin shared. “We went to Israel to do this little documentary with the holy sites and stayed by the Sea of Galilee. But then we went to Jerusalem.”
It was during this trip, as he explored the ancient city, that Erwin’s connection to David’s legacy began to take root.
“When you go anywhere in the world that old, you just feel the history, the thousands of years of history. And I remember going to David’s tomb and thinking… they say there’s two deaths—the one when the life leaves your body, and the one when the last person speaks your name.”
Erwin was struck by the idea that David’s legacy had endured for over 3,000 years.
“To think that this person’s word and legacy and legend have endured for 3,000 years is mind-boggling,” he said. This reflection sparked a deep fascination with the hero’s journey, a narrative structure Erwin has admired since childhood through stories like Harry Potter, Star Wars, and The Lord of the Rings. “I love that story structure,” he said. “David is, in many ways, one of the origin stories of the origin stories. If that makes sense.”
Erwin noted that David represents the quintessential hero’s journey—a relatable narrative about finding one’s destiny, something that resonates deeply with all of us.
“I think we all have a destiny that we want to find and fulfill,” Erwin explained. “That’s written on our souls.”
This series has been a dream project for Erwin since his teenage years.
“This is the story I’ve been dreaming of telling since I was a teenager with my first camera,” he said.
Each of the films and shows Erwin has created over the years has been a step toward honing his skills, and preparing for the opportunity to bring the story of David to life. Now, thanks to the collaboration with Amazon MGM Studios and Wonder, that dream is a reality.
“I’m very grateful to Amazon and GM Studios and all that we’re doing at Wonder that we can bring this story to the screen,” Erwin shared. “I hope people know that I love the story itself and revere the words of David and find them deeply meaningful in my life.”
He added, “I’m trying to make a really entertaining TV show, but that also draws people to the words themselves because they’re pretty powerful.”
Watch our full interview with Jon Erwin via the clip below.
“House of David” premiered on Prime Video on February 27, launching with three episodes, followed by one new episode released weekly.
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