David Farnor | On 22, Mar 2018

Chiwetel Ejiofor takes to the pulpit for Netflix original film Come Sunday, and a new trailer gives us a glimpse of him on fine form.

The drama, which premiered at this year’s Sundance, is based on actual events, as we see internationally-renowned pastor Carlton Pearson — experiencing a crisis of faith — risk his church, family, and future, when he questions church doctrine and finds himself branded a modern-day heretic.

Directed by Joshua Marston, Come Sunday stars Ejiofor as Pearson, with an impressive supporting ensemble that includes Lakeith Stanfield, Jason Segel, Condola Rashad, and Martin Sheen.

The film lands on Netflix on Friday 13th April. Here’s the trailer:

 

Come Sunday is available on Netflix UK, as part of an £9.99 monthly subscription.

 

Come Sunday: Netflix’s Chiwetel Ejiofor church drama hopes to convert Sundance

22nd January 2018

Sundance 2018 is now in full swing, and Netflix is hoping to convert more people to its church with new Chiwetel Ejiofor drama Come Sunday.

The film, which premiered last night at the Utah festival, sees Ejiofor take on the role of Bishop Carlton Pearson, an evangelical star who is a preacher, speaker and TV host with a flock of thousands. But when his uncle commits suicide and he hears reports of the Rwandan Genocide, the shaken man of the cloth has a surprise revelation: that there is no hell, that everyone is loved by God, and that everyone is saved.

Based on a true story, the drama follows the collapse of Pearson’s empire, as he follows his private conviction, despite the shock of his Tulsa congregation, and the disapproval of his spiritual father, Oral Roberts.

The film co-stars Danny Glover, Condola Rashad, Jason Segel, Lakeith Stanfield and Martin Sheen, and is written by Marcus Hinchey. It’s directed by Joshua Marston, who is no stranger to Sundance: his debut, Maria Full of Grace, won an Audience Award the 2004 festival (and won an Oscar nomination for Best Actress), while his 2016 film Complete Unknown premiered at the event. This year, he returns to Sundance with the backing of Netflix, which will premiere the film worldwide on Friday 13th April.

Here’s a clip to give you a taste of Ejiofor’s orator in action:

 

Photo: Courtesy of Sundance Institute

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