The Book of Daniel
Image credit: The Book of Daniel: KC Bailey

The Book of Daniel

NBC, January 6

STARRING Aidan Quinn (above), Susanna Thompson, Ellen Burstyn, Christian Campbell

WHAT IT'S ABOUT Episcopalian minister Daniel Webster (Quinn) has a lot on his plate: His tense wife Judith (Thompson) loves her martinis, his son Peter (Campbell) is gay, and his teenage daughter Grace (Alison Pill) gets arrested for dealing drugs. What's a man of the cloth to do except pop some Vicodin and have one-on-one chats with Jesus Christ (Deadwood's Garret Dillahunt)? ''[Jesus is] a pretty standard character: the best friend,'' explains creator Jack Kenny (Titus). ''I'd be surprised if there's backlash, except for the simple notion of putting Jesus on television.''

WHAT TO EXPECT This eight-episode limited series tackles subjects that you wouldn't find in most Sunday sermons: interracial romance, hate crimes, infidelity. ''I'm glad it's [on at] 10 p.m.,'' says Quinn, ''because I really hope the issues we deal with and how we deal with them don't get watered down.'' Amen, father.

WHY IT'S WORTH WATCHING Mordantly witty, refreshingly intelligent, and on NBC? Our prayers have finally been answered.

Originally posted Jan 04, 2006 Published in issue #858 Jan 06, 2006 Order article reprints
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