Kenneth Omole and John Omole on Portraying Apostles in Angel Studios’ ‘Testament’ | EUR Video Exclusive

*Angel Studios’ “Testament,” which debuted on Pentecost, June 8, exclusively on Angel platforms, reimagines the Book of Acts in a modern world ruled by the Imperium, a rebranded Roman Empire. The series follows the apostles igniting a movement of hope amid chaos, clashing with the Temple and Imperium.

Directed by Sarah Nean Bruce, the series boldly centers diverse representation in faith-based storytelling. Among the show’s most compelling performances are real-life brothers John Omole and Kenneth Omole, who play James and John Zebedee, respectively—two of the original twelve apostles. When asked what it was like to embody such iconic biblical figures in this reimagined context, both actors spoke about the humanity at the core of their characters.

Kenneth, who also serves as one of the show’s writers, shared: “It was really exciting to dive into that… But I would also say that… we focus on the fact that they were 12 ordinary, imperfect people… which was like, we can bring ourselves to it and in ways that uplift the words from the page, but also stay true to the 12 who were portraying.”

John echoed that sentiment: “Honestly, I think putting it in this alternate universe, to be honest with you, again, made it easier… they just all became people that I could see day to day going through something that is a massive struggle… It makes it so much, so much more relatable to everybody, anybody watching, you know?”

Though the setting of “Testament” is fictional, its emotional and spiritual core remains grounded in the Book of Acts. Kenneth emphasized that the shift in world-building didn’t alter the truth of the Gospel message: “The story is still the same… I’m literally going back to the root and the context of the Bible. And then from there, I’m using that to push my character forward.”



But the modern setting still affected performance style. “With the setting changing, it made you kind of walk different,” John explained. “It allowed certain things to be a lot heavier when they needed to be… I was able to just speak as somebody in today’s world telling a very old story in a new way.”

The on-screen bond between James and John is intensified by the real-life relationship between the two actors.

“Maybe how it informs it is that we don’t have to work on being brothers,” said John. “We just need to come into the space and be, because we’ve been brothers, you know?”

Kenneth added, “There’s definitely a level of safety there… Because he knows me inside out and vice versa… The chemistry pops because we didn’t have to do that. Because we are just being the characters, but brothers as well.”

For John, playing James meant tapping into deeply personal traits.

“He has a deep sense of responsibility… and I suppose if you spend any time with me, I think Kenneth will tell you, I feel responsible for my siblings… Spiritually, I think he is somebody that’s not afraid to admit that sometimes he struggles… I’m a Christian. I’m not afraid to admit that sometimes I struggle.”

Beyond character work, “Testament” carries cultural weight for Kenneth, who is proud of how the series presents representation with purpose.

“It is important to see diversity on screen… if we’re in an alternate modern universe, close to our world, it is diverse… It would be ingenuous of us to not celebrate that on screen, as believers, and creators, and writers, and performers.”

“There is beauty in diversity,” he said. “And I think you see that in this show.”

Also starring Aml Ameen as Peter, and Freya Mavor as Mary Magdalene, “Testament” blends the spiritual stakes of the early church with a world that feels vividly familiar. The series airs exclusively on the Angel Studios app, with new episodes every Monday following its June 8 premiere.

Through their performances, the Omole brothers don’t just reimagine James and John—they embody the spirit of Testament: ordinary people, extraordinary faith, and the power of a story told anew.

Learn more about “Testament” here.

Watch our full interview with Kenneth and John below.

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