What's better than a hot actor playing Jesus? Another, possibly hotter actor playing Jesus.
Argentina-born actor and Dallas reboot alum Juan Pablo Di Pace (pronounced dee PAHTCH-eh), 35, plays the role in executive producers Mark Burnett and wife Roma Downey's second biblical adventure miniseries, A.D. The Bible Continues, which premieres on NBC this Easter Sunday.
Portuguese actor Diogo Morgado, now 34, had portrayed the part in their hit 2013 History channel miniseries The Bible and their 2014 film Son of God.
In an interview with E! News, when asked about being dubbed an "even hotter Jesus," Di Pace was at a loss for words.
Who's the Hotter "Jesus"?
Di Pace is half-Argentinean, half-Italian and was named after Pope John Paul II, who died at age 84 in 2005. He was succeeded by the current Pope Francis, who is from Argentina.
During his interview, Di Pace wore a cross pendant. He told E! News he "grew up in the faith."
"I was surrounded by it my whole life," he said. "But this time, it was almost like I rediscovered Him in a really cool, new way by having to say His words and let, you know, let it work through me. "
A.D. The Bible Continues was shot in Morocco. Di Pace said filming the miniseres was a "powerful" experience. Like Morgado, he also filmed the famous crucifixion scene.
"I just love remembering how intense it was and how life-changing as well," he told E! News. "It was very warm...and the flies were swarming around the blood and hanging there was tough but I wouldn't change it for the world."
A.D. The Bible Continues premieres on NBC on Sunday, April 5 at 9/8c.
Watch a promo, featuring the song "Stay With Me" by Sam Smith.
(E! and NBC are part of the NBCUniversal family.)