Actors Challenge Fox Over Repurposed Bible Audiobook in New “Life of Jesus” Podcast
A fresh dispute has surfaced in Hollywood over the reuse of archived recordings, after Fox News Audio announced its new faith-focused series, “The Life of Jesus Podcast.” What should have been a smooth launch has now escalated into a broader discussion about contract clarity, actor consent, and the ethics of repurposing legacy audio.
Two high-profile actors—Kristen Bell and Brian Cox—say they only recently discovered that their voices, originally recorded for a 2010 dramatized audiobook of the Bible, had been pulled into a brand-new podcast project distributed under the Fox Faith banner.
The incident has reignited concerns across the entertainment industry about how long-term licensing, archive rights, and digital repurposing are handled in an era where old content can be easily revived for new formats.
A 15-Year-Old Audiobook Gets New Life — Without Some Actors Knowing
Fox News Audio revealed earlier this week that its new 52-episode series is derived from “The Truth and Life Dramatized Audio Bible,” a 23-hour production released in 2010 by Ignatius Press. The original audio has been licensed to Gulfstream Studios, the team behind Fox’s newly launched podcast.
However, representatives for Bell and Cox told Rolling Stone that neither performer was given a heads-up that their recordings were being reused. Similar concerns were echoed by Malcolm McDowell, who told Entertainment Weekly he, too, was not notified.
Actors Speak Out
According to representatives:
Kristen Bell (originally voicing Mary Magdalene) only learned of her involvement when Fox News Channel’s Fox & Friends tried to book her for an appearance.
John Rhys-Davies’ team was informed just this week, as the project rolled out.
Other involved actors were caught equally off guard.
The issue stems not from unauthorized usage, but from the absence of communication, which has led actors to question the norms around repurposing recordings made over a decade ago.
Fox Responds: “Everything Is Licensed and Proper”
Fox News Audio has maintained that all usage rights are legitimate. A company spokesperson told Rolling Stone:
“Gulfstream Studios produced ‘The Life of Jesus Podcast’ from ‘The Truth and Life Dramatized Audio Bible,’ which was licensed by Fox News Audio, with full cooperation and participation by all the actors involved.”
Despite the reassurance, representatives for multiple cast members insist they never provided recent authorization or were consulted—raising questions about the scope of their original contracts.
Why This Matters: Actors Are Re-Evaluating Old Contracts
The controversy highlights a growing concern in the entertainment industry, especially as digitization evolves:
Key Industry Concerns
Repurposing of archived content without notifying talent
Long-term usage clauses that were less scrutinized before streaming and podcasting exploded
Ethical transparency when new projects are created from old recordings
AI voice replication fears, which have already raised tensions in SAG-AFTRA negotiations
For many actors, this situation is a reminder that older agreements may not anticipate today’s media landscape—where a recording from 2010 can return as a major podcast in 2025.
Inside “The Life of Jesus Podcast” — Fox Faith’s Latest Religious Series
Fox News Audio officially announced a partnership with Gulfstream Studios to bring its faith-driven content under the Fox Faith vertical. The series adapts stories from the New Testament across 52 episodes, each roughly 30 minutes long.
Cast List (Using 2010 Audio Recordings)
The star-studded cast includes more than 100 actors originally featured in the 2010 audiobook:
Kristen Bell – Mary Magdalene
Sean Astin – Matthew
Neal McDonough – Jesus
Brian Cox – Voice of God
Malcolm McDowell – Caiaphas
John Rhys-Davies – Narrator
Julia Ormond – Mary, Mother of God
Plus dozens more prominent performers from film and television
Each episode is introduced by Ainsley Earhardt, co-host on Fox & Friends.
Release Schedule: Episodes Timed to Christian Holy Seasons
Fox Faith is rolling out the series in four themed clusters aligned with major Christian calendar events:
Planned Release Drops
Nov. 30 — First 13 episodes for Advent
Dec. 21 — Second installment during Christmas week
Feb. 15 — Third set for Lent
March 29 — Final 13 episodes for Palm Sunday
While reusing old recordings is uncommon, Fox notes that a Bible-based series carries less concern about dated material, given the timeless nature of the source texts.
The Bigger Picture: A New Era of Content Repurposing
This dispute draws attention to a rapidly changing entertainment landscape where:
Old logs, recordings, and archives are being revived for modern formats
Streaming and podcasting platforms continuously seek cost-effective content
Contracts written over a decade ago are now stretched across new mediums
Actors increasingly demand clarity, especially regarding audio rights
The Fox controversy may be mild compared to Hollywood’s AI-related tensions—but it signals a broader shift: talent wants communication, transparency, and updated contract standards for a digital-first world.
Will This Trigger New Industry Guidelines?
SAG-AFTRA has already been vocal about performers’ rights when it comes to AI, voice cloning, and long-term licensing. This incident may accelerate pressure for:
Standardized clauses for repurposing legacy recordings
Mandatory notification policies
Greater revenue transparency for reused content
New ethical guidelines in audio-first storytelling
As podcasts continue to dominate the content landscape, from true crime to religious storytelling, disputes like this may become increasingly common unless contractual frameworks evolve.
Conclusion: A Faith-Based Series Sparked a Real-World Debate
“The Life of Jesus Podcast” was meant to inspire audiences with dramatized stories from Scripture. Instead, it sparked a very modern debate about ownership, consent, and communication in entertainment.
Whether Fox acted within its legal rights or not, the episode underscores a growing industry truth:
In today’s content economy, old recordings never truly disappear—and talent wants to know when, how, and why their work is revived.
The podcast itself will likely find a large audience, especially among faith-based listeners. But behind the scenes, actors are pushing back, hoping this moment encourages stronger protections in an age where content can outlive the context in which it was created.
