Move over, medieval fantasy epics — Prime Video just dropped a new historical drama that blends action, drama, and divine destiny into one seriously binge-worthy spectacle. House of David takes the legendary biblical tale of David and Goliath and gives it the screen time it deserves, unraveling the complexities of power, faith, and fate in an eight-episode saga.
Gone are the days when this story was just a Sunday school lesson or a quick movie montage. House of David dives deep into the rise of a shepherd boy who defied all odds to become one of the greatest rulers in history. With war, betrayal, and palace drama to rival even Game of Thrones, this new series is about to introduce Gen Z to a whole new kind of epic storytelling.
Celeb Secrets caught up with stars Michael Iskander (David) and Martyn Ford (Goliath) to get the inside scoop on what makes House of David such a must-watch, how they transformed into their iconic characters, and yes — some seriously juicy behind-the-scenes secrets.
Yes, we all know the headline version of the story: little David, big Goliath, one well-aimed slingshot. But House of David proves there’s so much more to this ancient drama. The series takes us through the crumbling reign of King Saul (Ali Suliman, Jack Ryan), the rise of his unexpected successor, and the tangled relationships that shaped the fate of an entire kingdom.
Iskander, fresh off his Broadway debut in the Tony Award-winning musical Kimberly Akimbo, steps into David’s sandals in his biggest role yet. And according to him, this isn’t just another retelling.
“This is the first time the story of David and Goliath is being told in a series instead of just a movie,” Iskander explained to Celeb Secrets in an exclusive interview during a virtual media junket. “It allows the audience to understand all the different relationships, the political tensions, and everything it truly took to get from a shepherd boy to facing off against a giant.”
That giant, of course, is played by none other than British bodybuilder and actor Martyn Ford (Mortal Kombat 2, The Sandman). But don’t expect his Goliath to be a one-dimensional villain.
“How do you create a new version of something that everybody knows inside out?” Ford mused. “For me, it was about making Goliath more than just a monster that screams, growls, and swings. He’s a person. He has his own story.”
And that story? It just might change how you see one of history’s most infamous bad guys.
While House of David delivers plenty of epic battle scenes and political maneuvering, it’s also packed with powerful themes about courage, destiny, and identity.
For Iskander, stepping into David’s shoes meant more than just training with weapons — it was about truly understanding the character’s spiritual journey.
“I built David from the original scripture,” he shared. “I read 1 and 2 Samuel, studied the Psalms he wrote, and really tried to get into his mindset. Through prayer and going back to scripture, I just had to let go and trust that God is in control.”
Meanwhile, Ford had a very different challenge: how do you play a character whose whole reputation is built on being, well… evil?
“There’s something that happens later in the series that really gives you an understanding of why Goliath flipped,” Ford teased. “It makes you ask yourself, ‘What would I have done in his situation?’”
That humanization of Goliath adds layers to the story that most retellings skip over. In House of David, no one is just good or evil— everyone is shaped by their experiences, fears, and choices.
Filming a high-intensity historical epic wasn’t all smooth sailing. While Iskander and Ford had to physically transform for their roles, they also dealt with unexpected challenges — like, say, injuries.
“I tore my shoulder filming,” Iskander revealed. “I had to take three months off from moving my arm.”
And while Ford was clearly concerned for his co-star (kind of), he couldn’t help but crack a joke.
“Michael’s actually bald,” Ford deadpanned. “That hair? Fake. It’s a wig.”
(For the record, Iskander just laughed—so we’ll let you be the judge.)
Despite the physical demands, the cast was blown away by the finished product. Since they filmed many scenes without seeing the final effects, watching the show as a polished production was a whole new experience.
“When I got to watch it, it was on a laptop with my name all over it for security reasons,” Ford said. “But even with that, I was like, ‘Wow, this looks phenomenal.’”
Between its sweeping cinematography, high-stakes drama, and fresh take on a legendary story, House of David is shaking up historical storytelling in the best way possible. Whether you’re into epic battles, court intrigue, or just love a good underdog story, this series delivers.
And if you ask Martyn Ford what episode to look forward to? “Yeah, absolutely — episodes one through eight,” he joked. “Watch all of them.”
We’ll take his word for it.
Before you binge watch House of David on Prime Video here, watch our full interview with both Michael and Martyn below and don’t forget to let us know what you think of the series by either leaving a reaction at the bottom of the post or by sliding into our DMs on Instagram at @celebsecrets.
