A surprising revelation has emerged regarding the casting of actors Kristen Bell and Brian Cox in a new podcast from Fox News. Both actors have publicly stated that they were unaware of their involvement in *The Life of Jesus Christ Podcast*, which Fox announced without their consent.
The controversy began when Fox’s Christian-themed division, Fox Faith, revealed the podcast, which is set to feature a total of 52 episodes. Each episode will explore the “life, teachings, and miracles of Jesus Christ,” and is introduced by popular Fox News anchor Ainsley Earhardt. The announcement listed Bell as Mary Magdalene and Cox as the Voice of God, among a notable ensemble that includes Sean Astin and Malcolm McDowell.
What complicates matters is that Bell and Cox, along with other actors, had previously lent their voices to a different project, *The Truth and Life Dramatised Audio Bible*, which was produced 15 years ago and released in 2010. When Fox News acquired the rights to that project through a licensing deal, the network repurposed it without notifying the original cast.
Bell confirmed her shock in statements to various media outlets, explaining that she only learned about her name being associated with the podcast a day before the announcement. Her representatives emphasized that she had recorded the original material over a decade ago, which she believed was separate from the new project. Cox’s team echoed similar sentiments, stating he was “unaware that the audio would be repurposed for a new podcast series.”
The confusion surrounding the casting is heightened by the actors’ past criticisms of right-wing media, particularly Fox News. In 2021, Cox, who portrayed a character based on Rupert Murdoch in the HBO series *Succession*, referred to Fox News as “the devil.” McDowell, who played Murdoch in the film *Bombshell*, also has a history of critical remarks regarding the network.
In response to the backlash, Fox News issued a statement to *Rolling Stone*, asserting that the podcast would proceed “with the full cooperation and participation by all the actors involved.” Despite the actors’ protests, it appears that their voices will feature prominently in *The Life of Jesus Christ Podcast*, set to begin airing on November 30.
This unexpected turn of events raises questions about the ethics of casting and the responsibilities of production companies in notifying talent about their involvement in projects. As the podcast prepares for its debut, the implications of this situation may linger, particularly for those who find themselves unwittingly associated with a project that diverges from their public personas.
