NBC premiers Kings, a contemporary parable and exploration of the timeless David vs. Goliath struggle starring Ian McShane and Chris Egan. The 2-hour premiere episode airs on Sunday, March 15 from 8:00pm – 10:00pm (ET).

NETWORK SYNOPSIS: The show is set in the war-torn country of Gilboa and ruled by the beloved King Silas (Golden Globe winner Ian McShane, Deadwood) from the modern metropolis of Shiloh. It is a country where the fighting has gone on far too long at the cost of far too many lives. The protagonist, David Shepherd (Chris Egan, Eragon), is a brave soldier whose actions set in motion events that may finally bring peace to the Kingdom. But while a nation celebrates its new hero, the country’s power brokers jockey to keep their positions at any cost – even at the expense of young David’s true destiny.

The series has been created by Michael Green (Heroes, Everwood), produced by Green and Erwin Stoff (I Am Legend) and directed by Francis Lawrence (I Am Legend). The program stars Chris Egan, Ian McShane, Susanna Thompson, Allison Miller, and Wes Studi.

PREVIEW REVIEW: The lead’s name is David Shepherd (oh, subtle). And I suppose if the author of First and Second Samuel was around today, he could muster a pretty solid plagiarism suit against NBC. But the 2-hour premiere press screener reminded me of the heyday of the mini-series, with its didactic vision. Like an epic poem, the story is layered with expository details and furnishes characters that promise to become three-dimensional.

Ian McShane, as King Silas, plays his role one moment with benevolence, while the next revealing a decidedly draconian nature as the futuristic version of King Saul. And Chris Egan, with his Charles Bronson squint and Matt Damon grin, plays David, a humble, stalwart soldier with typical young-hero-in-training nonchalance. Supporting actors all do their jobs well conjuring up representations of supporting players in the saga of the man who would be king.

Taken directly from the Bible’s tale of the shepherd boy who slew a giant and became king of Israel, Kings offers a story full of political intrigue, action adventure and soap opera-ish romance. It’s a television show with both style and substance.

And the pièce de résistance: God is acknowledged in the first couple of episodes. Just how far network television will go with spiritual themes is yet to be seen. But I wouldn’t expect too much from NBC. Which is a shame, not just for those of us who appreciate such subtext, but because it would be fairly unique for a TV series to examine spiritual influence upon national leaders. What’s more, the producers would be foolish not to. For by presenting a man of faith, which King David was, the series would allow for depth of character and ethereal factors not often seen in television drama.

We shall see.

Not rated, the production includes adult subject matter, including battlefield violence, adultery, implied homosexuality – the king’s son is gay, and the King, angry with God, blasphemes by saying “the h--- with God.” (This phrase is used to unmask the King’s true self.)