The Book of Daniel: Controversial Show Premieres

The Book of Daniel

A provocative, edgy and compelling new drama, “The Book of Daniel” stars Emmy nominee Aidan Quinn (“An Early Frost,” “Plainsong,” “Legends of the Fall”) as Reverend Daniel Webster, an unconventional Episcopalian minister who not only believes in Jesus – he actually sees him and discusses life with him.

The limited series premieres on Friday, Jan. 6 at 9-11 p.m. with two back-two-back episodes; returning the following week (Jan. 16) at its regularly scheduled time, Fridays at 10-11 p.m. on NBC 26.

Webster is challenged on many levels as he struggles to be a good husband, father and minister, while navigating an often rocky relationship with the church hierarchy, led by Bishop Beatrice Congreve (Oscar winner Ellen Burstyn, “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore,” “Requiem of a Dream”) and Roger Paxton, a senior warden of the parish and stalwart churchgoer (Dylan Baker, “Kinsey,” “Happiness”).

The Reverend also has loving, but challenging relationships with his three children: Peter (Christian Campbell, “Trick”), his 23-year-old gay son, struggling with the loss of his twin brother; his 16-year-old daughter Grace (Alison Pill, “Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen”), a talented Manga artist dealing with typical teenage angst; and Adam (Ivan Shaw, “All My Children”), his 16-year-old adopted Chinese son, a handsome and cocky high school jock with a wicked sense of humor.

Keeping Webster grounded is his strong, loving wife Judith (Susanna Thompson, “Once and Again”) – who is also coming to terms with the loss of her son and her own future and ambitions now that her children are nearly grown – and Jesus (Garret Dillahunt, “Deadwood”), his best friend and confidante who serves as a sounding board and encourages Webster to find the answers to his questions within himself.

Creator Jack Kenny (“Titus”), Flody Suarez (“8 Simple Rules for Dating My Daughter,” “The Tick”) and John Tinker (“The Practice,” “Chicago Hope”) are the executive producers of this production from NBC Universal Television Studio and Sony Pictures Television.