Throughout each episode, Scorsese journeys over 2,000 years of history focusing on these extraordinary figures and their extreme acts of kindness, selflessness, and sacrifice. With each episode focusing on a singular saint, the final three episodes of the season will spotlight Francis of Assisi, Moses the Black, and Mary Magdalene. The season first kicked off in November 2024 with Joan of Arc, John the Baptist, Sebastian, and Maximilian Kolbe.
Episode One: Francis of Assisi (April 4th)
At the beginning of the 13th century, a wealthy young man named Francis experiences firsthand the horrors of war when he’s captured after a horrible defeat in battle. Scarred by the experience, Francis puts aside his old life of frivolity and searches for new meaning. He finds it in a command from Jesus himself – to “rebuild my church.” Francis spends the rest of his life following that command, in the process starting a brotherhood, preaching on how to live like Christ, and even ending face-to-face with the Saracen leader Sultan Al-Kamil at the height of the Fifth Crusade.
Episode Two: Moses the Black (April 11th)
In 4th century Egypt, there is no bandit more bloodthirsty than a runaway slave named Moses. But during a sudden moment of faith, Moses decides to make the remarkable decision to cast aside his former life and give up violence. Searching for new meaning, Moses finds himself at a remote desert monastery, where he undergoes a tumultuous personal journey in pursuit of a life dedicated to Christ. Slowly Moses transforms into a leader in the community, until his decision to embrace non-violence comes to a head during a raid on his new home.
Episode Three: Mary Magdalene (April 18th)
Mary Magdalene, a Galilean woman, was suffering great spiritual affliction when she met a remarkable healer – Jesus of Nazareth. After Jesus cures her of seven demons, Mary becomes one of his closest followers. She travels with Jesus and supports him, witnessing the growth of his ministry, his miracles, and eventually his crucifixion. But her most important role is as the witness to Jesus’s resurrection – where she is tasked with spreading the word to the world of Jesus’s resurrection, overcoming doubters to become an important herald of early Christianity.
Developed by Scorsese and Matti Leshem for Lionsgate Alternative Television, “Martin Scorsese Presents: THE SAINTS” was created by Leshem. The docuseries is written by Kent Jones, who frequently collaborates with Scorsese, with episodes directed by Leshem and Elizabeth Chomko. Additional executive producers alongside Scorsese and Leshem include Julie Yorn, Rick Yorn, Christopher Donnelly, Lisa Frechette, Yoshi Stone, Matt Loze, David Ellender and Craig Piligian. Along with Lionsgate, the series was produced by Sikelia Productions, Weimaraner Republic Pictures, LBI Entertainment and Halcyon Studios.
Scorsese is an Academy Award-winning Director and one of the most influential filmmakers working today. In 2007, his film The Departed won an Academy Award for Best Director and Best Picture. Scorsese also directed The Wolf of Wall Street and The Irishman, which both received Academy Award nominations for Best Director and Best Picture. His acclaimed film Killers of The Flower Moon, made its World Premiere at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, received 10 Oscar nominations and was released exclusively in theaters worldwide in October 2023 before it began streaming globally on Apple TV+ in January 2024. He has directed numerous documentaries including the Peabody Award winning No Direction Home: Bob Dylan, the Emmy Award winning George Harrison: Living in the Material World, the Emmy nominated docuseries Pretend It’s a City, and the critically acclaimed feature docs The Last Waltz and Personality Crisis: One Night Only.
