X

Join or Sign In

Sign in to customize your TV listings

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

VIDEO: The Bible's Roma Downey Calls Obama-Satan Comparisons "Heartbreaking"

History's The Bible drew record ratings when it premiered last month, but it also drew controversy after many viewers pointed out a physical resemblance of the character of Satan, played by Mohamen Mehdi Ouazanni, to President Barack Obama. Roma Downey, who produced the miniseries with her husband...

katestanhope-6623.jpg
Kate Stanhope

History's The Bibledrew record ratings when it premiered last month, but it also drew controversy after many viewers pointed out a physical resemblance of the character of Satan, played by Mohamen Mehdi Ouazanni, to President Barack Obama.

Roma Downey, who produced the miniseries with her husband, reality TV guru Mark Burnett, called the scandal "heartbreaking" in an interview for Oprah's Next Chapter that aired Sunday. "The night before that broke in the news, Jesus had made his first appearance on the screen and I was so looking forward to Monday and knowing that Jesus would be on the lips of everyone," Downey said. "We love the president, we have nothing but respect for the president. We felt somehow hijacked."

25 Bubble shows: Which will survive?

However, Burnett took the incident slightly more in stride. "It's a free country and you got to accept that," he said.

Watch an excerpt from Winfrey's sit-down with Downey and Burnett:

Did you watch The Bible?