The CBS limited event series The Dovekeepers is currently shooting in Malta with Cote de Pablo, Rachel Brosnahan, Diego Boneta, and Kathryn Prescott in starring roles. And as of today, the cast also includes Sam Neill, according to CBS.
Neill has joined the production as Josephus, “the somewhat controversial first-century Jewish scholar and historian. In this project, he is seen interviewing the few adult survivors of the Siege of Masada in order to record the events that took place prior to and during the siege. These interviews are the first-hand accounts included among the vast annals of history of the Jewish-Roman War.”
CBS will air the four-hour limited series based on Alice Hoffman’s novel in 2015. Roma Downey and Mark Burnett (The Bible) are executive producing the series along with Frank Siracusa, John Weber and Yves Simoneau. Simoneau is directing The Dovekeepers from a script by Ann Peacock.
“We are delighted to have the incredibly talented Sam Neill, an actor whose breadth of experience will bring such depth and vision to the role of Josephus,” said executive producer Roma Downey. “Sam is a wonderfully exciting choice to bring Josephus to life in this gripping story of Masada.”
The Plot:
Set in ancient Israel, The Dovekeepers is based on the true events at Masada in 70 C.E. After being forced out of their home in Jerusalem by the Romans, 900 Jews were ensconced in a fortress at Masada, a mountain in the Judean desert. Besieged at Masada, the Jews held out for months against the vast Roman armies.
The project will recount the events from the perspective of a few extraordinary women who arrive at Masada with unique backstories, but a common bond for survival. Additionally, these women, who work together daily as dovekeepers, are each concealing substantial secrets.
