ENTERTAINMENT NEWS - John Legend will play the lead role in NBC's Jesus Christ Superstar.
The hitmaker is "thrilled" to play the titular role in the US channel's adaptation of the musical, which is set to air on Easter Sunday next year.
Legend said: "I'm thrilled to join the cast of this production of 'Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert'.
"It's such a powerful, meaningful musical and I'm humbled to be part of this performance.
"We've already formed an incredible team, and, as we finish casting, I'm certain we will put together some of the greatest talents around to do this work justice."
While Robert Greenblatt, chairman of NBC Entertainment, added in a statement: "We're all overjoyed to have world-class musical artist and producer John Legend starring as Jesus.
"This score demands a singer with an amazing range and an actor with great depth, and there isn't anyone better to bring this story to a new audience.
"His casting is also groundbreaking as the traditional image of Christ will be seen in a new way."
