The first production to come from LightWorkers Media, the production banner that Roma Downey and Mark Burnett run together, was an animated DVD series, “Little Angels.” The second project to come through LightWorkers, which is separate from Burnett’s One Three Media, was considerably bigger, with a capital B.
Producing the 10-hour “Bible” miniseries was a challenging project for all involved, from setting the script with the guidance of more than 40 scholars and faith leaders to a grueling five-month shoot in Morocco last year.
“In the journey of our marriage, to say there were times when this has been stressful would be an understatement,” Downey says.
But they also complemented each other by bringing different skills sets to the table. Burnett’s background as a swashbuckling reality TV producer came in handy during remote location shoots. Downey’s experience as an actress and producer of TV movies helped her shape the on-camera experience for “Bible” thesps.
“I don’t know that one of us could have done it without the other,” she said.
LightWorkers is now working on a “Bible” follow-up for NBC that is envisioned as a regular historical series, “AD: Beyond the Bible.” Downey is closely involved in guiding the development of those scripts. She’s also recently optioned the rights to Alice Hoffman’s 2011 novel “The Dovekeepers” to develop as a miniseries.
“The intention behind LightWorkers is not solely to do faith-based productions, but we do have a bias toward the family and stories that shine a real light of positivity and love,” Downey says.
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