Testament - the Book of Acts, re-told
The Book of Acts has been reimagined as a high-end television series set in an alternate-modern era. Here's more on the background to the show, which was filmed in London - and how it can be accessed
When the TV series The Chosen first aired back in 2019, there were few who could have predicted that the show would go on to become a global phenomenon and help a little known streaming platform, VidAngel, and subsequently Angel Studios, establish itself in the Hollywood marketplace as a distributor of content that ‘amplifies light’.
A few years on, the partnership with The Chosen may have changed, but Angel Studios – now rebranded as Angel – is still distributing content, both TV series and feature films, and finding success with shows such as The Wingfeather Saga and films like Bonhoeffer and the Easter release King of Kings.
Much (though not all) of the content on Angel has been produced in the United States. However, Angel recently launched a new show into the world and this one is very much a British production. Testament is a contemporary re-telling of the Book of Acts, set in a slightly alternate universe, where digital doesn’t exist – so while people might drive cars and get on trains, nobody is using a mobile phone or taking a photograph.
The birth of the early church is full of high-stakes drama, political intrigue and real characters making life-changing decisions.
'It is the Book of Acts, without the sandals', says Paul Syrstad, the show’s creator, co-writer and director of all 8 episodes of Season One, 'a robust re-telling of the story with the contemporary setting designed to make the story more relatable to a modern audience.
'It's the famous story of the rebels of this new movement versus the might of the Empire.'
In Season One, viewers meet Stephen, a young man finding his way in this new movement; Saul, a fiery individual desperate to see this new movement stopped at all costs, and the disciples and followers of Jesus, risking everything to preach the good news.
Set against them is the Temple hierarchy, holding on to their own secrets about the Nazarene, secrets they would prefer that Pilate and the Imperium don’t find out.
Produced by Paul Syrstad’s UK production company, Roarlight, the plan is for six seasons of eight episodes. The first season was written by Paul, Faith Syrstad, and Kenneth Omole; a tight-knit family unit.
Filming took place across 80 days in and around London in 2024, with an additional four days of filming early in 2025. Testament is a low-budget show that punches well above its weight, using more than 50 locations, a huge ensemble cast and many hundreds of supporting artists.
Paul is determined that the UK can, and will, produce shows of quality and, while Testament has been made for about a third of the budget of a standard UK high-end television show, the producers believe they have a production of real quality and depth.
Producing alongside Paul Syrstad is Jackie Sheppard, who many years ago ran the Communications team for the Baptist Union and was responsible for the live production of the 2005 BWA Congress in Birmingham, the 2010 BWA Congress in Hawaii, along with the UK Baptist Assembly and BWA Youth Congresses in Hong Kong and Germany.
'We’ve been hugely blessed by such a talented cast and crew, complemented by one of London’s top post-production houses to help us finish the show,' says Jackie.
'Even our stunning opening title sequence has been designed by a BAFTA-nominated company that designs the titles of really high-end (ie expensive) television dramas. Everyone has just come on board with us, put their heart and soul into it and produced amazing work at a price we could just about afford to help realise Paul’s incredible vision for the show.'
Former BWA President and Baptist Union General Secretary, David Coffey, has yet to see Testament but is excited to watch.
'An older generation often shared their faith by distributing printed tracts that concisely described the Christian message,' he says. 'The emergence of professionally produced films portraying the Gospel story represents a significant advancement in spreading the faith.
'I have witnessed the remarkable success of The Chosen films, particularly among those inquiring about the Christian faith. Testament builds on this success, and I am confident that the filmed message of Acts will provide equally fruitful insights into the story of the early Church.'
Fittingly for a show that starts on the day of Pentecost, Angel premiered the first episode of Testament on their own platform on Pentecost 2025, 8 June. All eight episodes are now streaming on Angel, inviting viewers into a bold re-imagining of Acts for today.
Baptist Times, 05/09/2025