Uriah - Betrayed by King David's Desire 2025 (Official Trailer)
"Forged in siege, betrayed by desire."
Logline:
A Hittite commander, loyal to King David, masters siegecraft but faces betrayal when David's lust for his wife, Bathsheba, unleashes sin, fracturing a kingdom and family.
A loyal Hittite commander, forged by his father’s siegecraft and bound by faith to King David, rises as a mighty warrior in ancient Israel, only to face betrayal and death when David’s lust for his wife, Bathsheba, unleashes a chain of sin that fractures a kingdom and a family.
Synopsis for Season 1 (10 Episodes):
Uriah Season 1 traces the rise and tragic fall of Uriah the Hittite, one of King David’s elite “mighty men,” whose loyalty and Hittite-honed siege tactics make him indispensable in Israel’s wars, but whose honor leads to his betrayal. Born to Tudhaliya, a legendary Hittite commander, Uriah grows up mastering battering rams, siege towers, and chariot tactics in a Canaan enclave, torn between his father’s polytheistic pride and the allure of Israel’s God, Yahweh. As a young warrior, he saves a brash shepherd, David, forging a brotherly bond through battles against raiders, Philistines, and King Saul’s assassins. Uriah’s conversion to Judaism, adoption of the name “Uriah” (“Yahweh is my light”), and marriage to Bathsheba cement his place in David’s inner circle, but David’s growing power sows seeds of moral decay.
When David, idle during a wartime spring, spies Bathsheba bathing and succumbs to lust, he impregnates her and orchestrates a cover-up. Uriah’s Hittite discipline—refusing to sleep with his wife while his men fight—foils the plan, prompting David to order his death via a rigged siege at Rabbah, where Uriah’s own siege tower and ram become his pyre. The fallout of David’s sin—adultery, murder, and divine judgment—ripples through his house, with the prophet Nathan’s rebuke, the death of David’s infant son, and the fracturing of his family through Tamar’s rape and Absalom’s rebellion. Through Uriah’s eyes, we witness a kingdom’s glory and collapse, a loyal warrior’s sacrifice, and a king’s redemption, all set against the gritty, faith-soaked backdrop of ancient Israel.
Season 1 ends with David’s repentance and the birth of Solomon, Uriah’s legacy lingering in Bathsheba’s resolve and David’s guilt, setting the stage for a potential Season 2 exploring Solomon’s reign and the enduring scars of David’s sin.
Elevator Pitch:
Uriah is a gritty biblical epic about Uriah the Hittite, a loyal commander whose Hittite siegecraft and faith in King David lead to his betrayal when David’s lust for Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba, sparks adultery, murder, and divine judgment. Picture Game of Thrones meets The Chosen—epic battles with battering rams and siege towers, political intrigue, and a tragic hero’s fall, set in ancient Israel. It’s a fresh take on a timeless story, blending historical authenticity with universal themes of loyalty, identity, and redemption, perfect for HBO or Netflix.
Detailed Show Notes
Why This Series?
• Unique Angle on a Familiar Story: Uriah reimagines the biblical David and Bathsheba narrative through the lens of Uriah, a lesser-known figure, offering a fresh perspective on a timeless tale. By centering a Hittite outsider, the series explores universal themes of loyalty, betrayal, and identity, appealing to both religious and secular audiences.
• Market Appeal: Combines the epic scope and political intrigue of Game of Thrones with the spiritual depth of The Chosen, targeting fans of historical dramas (Vikings, The Last Kingdom) and faith-based content. The series’ gritty battles, complex characters, and moral dilemmas ensure broad appeal across streaming platforms like HBO, Netflix, or Angel Studios.
• Cultural Relevance: Uriah’s journey as an immigrant navigating prejudice and assimilation resonates with modern audiences, while his Hittite heritage adds a rich, underrepresented cultural layer to biblical storytelling.
• Cinematic Potential: Uriah’s mastery of Hittite siege tactics—battering rams, siege towers, chariots—creates visually stunning battle sequences, blending historical accuracy with high-stakes drama. The contrast between Canaan’s rugged landscapes and Jerusalem’s opulent palace enhances the visual palette.
Key Selling Points
• Compelling Protagonist
• Uriah is a layered hero: a Hittite warrior trained by his father Tudhaliya in advanced siegecraft, a convert to Judaism, and a loyal friend to David. His arc—from outsider to mighty man to betrayed victim—offers emotional depth, with his Hittite identity (bronze rams, storm-god rituals) grounding his distinctiveness.
• His siege expertise, especially constructing battering rams and siege towers, makes him a battlefield architect, providing unique action set pieces (e.g., a tower collapsing in flames at Rabbah).
• High-Stakes Drama
• The series pivots on David’s catastrophic fall from grace, with Uriah’s death as the fulcrum. The ripple effects—Tamar’s rape, Absalom’s rebellion, divine judgment—create a Shakespearean tragedy, with personal and political stakes intertwined.
• Uriah’s betrayal is visceral: his own siege tower, built with Hittite precision, becomes his death trap, amplifying the emotional weight of David’s sin.
• Rich Historical and Cultural Texture
• Uriah’s Hittite heritage, rooted in Tudhaliya’s legacy as a commander, brings authenticity via detailed siege tactics (rams with bronze ram’s heads, towers with storm-cloud motifs). Historical research (Hittite texts, archaeology) ensures accuracy, while Neo-Hittite adaptations fit Canaan’s context.
• The clash between Hittite polytheism (Tarhunna rituals) and Israelite monotheism (Yahweh’s covenant) adds spiritual depth, with Uriah’s conversion a pivotal character moment.
• Visual Spectacle
• Siege scenes—rams pounding gates, towers scaling walls, chariots charging—offer blockbuster action, shot with dynamic camera work (low-angle rams, aerial tower shots). Uriah’s Hittite-crafted weapons and armor (bronze, storm motifs) add visual flair.
• Settings range from Canaan’s dusty hills to Jerusalem’s torchlit palace, with production design blending Hittite reliefs (eagles, storms) and Israelite simplicity (stone altars).
• Diverse, Relatable Characters
• Uriah: A disciplined warrior whose loyalty and faith make his betrayal heartbreaking. His Hittite roots and conversion story resonate with themes of belonging.
• David: Charismatic but flawed, his arc from shepherd to sinful king is both epic and human, with his repentance offering hope.
• Bathsheba: A complex woman navigating love, loss, and power, evolving from Uriah’s wife to David’s queen, with agency and depth.
• Joab: David’s ruthless commander, whose rivalry with Uriah fuels the betrayal, adding political intrigue.
• Nathan: The prophet whose parable confronts David, embodying divine justice and mercy.
Season 1 Episode Breakdown
• Episode 1: The Hittite’s Oath
Young Uriah, trained in Hittite siegecraft by Tudhaliya, saves David from raiders, forging a bond. Flash-forward: Uriah, a mighty man, senses David’s distance as king.
Key Moment: Uriah constructs a battering ram, its bronze head etched with Hittite rams, for a raid defense.
Visual: A chariot charge intercut with Tudhaliya’s training, bronze glinting in the desert sun.
• Episode 2: Fugitives of Faith
Uriah and David, outlaws, fight Philistines while hiding from Saul. Uriah’s tunneling skills breach a fort, but his Tarhunna rituals clash with David’s psalms. Uriah meets Bathsheba.
Key Moment: Uriah’s vision of Yahweh sparks his conversion, buried Tarhunna pendant marking the shift.
Visual: A claustrophobic tunnel lit by torches, contrasted with open wilderness caves.
• Episode 3: Mighty Men Rising
Uriah’s siege tower leads a Philistine victory, cementing his role. He marries Bathsheba and converts, taking the name “Uriah.” Joab’s rivalry emerges.
Key Moment: Uriah builds a tower with Hittite storm motifs, commanding from its platform.
Visual: The tower looms, leather panels deflecting arrows, Uriah’s bronze armor gleaming.
• Episode 4: Crown of Israel
David is crowned, and Uriah’s ram breaches an Ammonite outpost. Bathsheba navigates court intrigue, while David’s wealth sows pride.
Key Moment: Uriah gifts David a Hittite siege tool, symbolizing loyalty.
Visual: A ram’s bronze head smashes a gate, dust swirling in torchlight.
• Episode 5: The Bathing Woman
David spies Bathsheba bathing, leading to her pregnancy. Uriah’s Hittite discipline—refusing to sleep with her—foils David’s cover-up.
Key Moment: Uriah builds a siege tower for Rabbah, unaware it’s his doom.
Visual: The tower’s construction, cedar beams rising, intercut with David’s lustful gaze.
• Episode 6: The Letter of Death
David orders Uriah’s death via a rigged Rabbah siege. Uriah’s tower and ram lead the assault, but Joab abandons him, burning the tower. Uriah dies praying for David.
Key Moment: Uriah falls amid the flaming tower, clutching his Hittite pendant.
Visual: The tower collapses in flames, Uriah’s armor silhouetted against the inferno.
• Episode 7: Nathan’s Rebuke
Nathan’s parable exposes David’s sin, predicting “the sword” on his house. David repents, but his infant son dies. Bathsheba grieves, keeping Uriah’s ram-head pendant.
Key Moment: David weeps at Uriah’s grave, haunted by his Hittite loyalty.
Visual: A stark altar scene, Nathan’s words echoing over Jerusalem’s torchlit streets.
• Episode 8: The House Fractured
David’s son Amnon rapes Tamar, Uriah’s stepdaughter. Absalom murders Amnon and flees. Bathsheba confronts David’s failures. Joab manipulates Absalom’s return.
Key Moment: Tamar’s cry echoes Uriah’s betrayal, “Where is justice?”
Visual: A dark palace, Tamar’s anguish framed against opulent walls.
• Episode 9: Absalom’s Rebellion
Absalom seizes the throne, forcing David to flee. Bathsheba urges David to fight. Joab’s brutal tactics kill Absalom, breaking David.
Key Moment: David laments, “O Absalom, would I had died instead!”
Visual: A chaotic battle, Joab’s sword piercing Absalom, intercut with David’s flight.
• Episode 10: The Cost of Sin
David prepares Solomon, Uriah’s stepson, to rule. Bathsheba emerges as a wise queen, honoring Uriah’s Hittite legacy. David visits Uriah’s grave, seeking forgiveness.
Key Moment: Bathsheba gives Solomon Uriah’s plumb line, urging just rule.
Visual: A quiet grave, a Hittite eagle stone, Jerusalem glowing at dawn.
Production and Market Notes
• Target Platforms: HBO (epic scope, mature themes), Netflix (global reach, historical drama fans), or Angel Studios (faith-based appeal, The Chosen audience). International co-production potential due to biblical story’s universal resonance.
• Budget Considerations: Moderate to high, with costs for period sets (Jerusalem palace, Hittite enclave), siege equipment (rams, towers), and battle choreography. CGI can enhance cityscapes and large-scale sieges, but practical effects (wooden towers, bronze rams) keep authenticity. Filming in Morocco or Jordan reduces location costs.
• Casting Appeal: Diverse cast to reflect ancient Near East’s ethnic mix. Uriah needs a commanding actor (e.g., Riz Ahmed for intensity, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II for physicality). David requires charisma and vulnerability (e.g., Oscar Isaac). Bathsheba needs depth (e.g., Zazie Beetz). Joab and Nathan suit seasoned character actors.
• Creative Team: Seek a showrunner with epic drama experience (e.g., David Benioff of Game of Thrones) and a director skilled in period action (e.g., Neil Marshall). Historical consultants ensure Hittite accuracy, while biblical scholars guide faith elements.
• Marketing Strategy:
• Trailers: Emphasize Uriah’s siegecraft (rams pounding, towers rising), David’s fall, and Bathsheba’s strength, with a haunting score blending Hittite and Hebrew instruments.
• Taglines: “Loyalty forged in siege, broken by desire.” / “A warrior’s honor, a king’s sin.”
• Audience Engagement: Social media campaigns highlighting Uriah’s Hittite culture, interactive siege tactic diagrams, and faith-based outreach for church groups.
• Merchandising Potential: Replica Hittite weapons (bronze ram’s head, tower pendant), historical novels, and soundtrack featuring ancient instruments.
Audience and Cultural Impact
• Primary Audience: Adults 18–49, fans of historical epics, biblical dramas, and character-driven stories. Appeals to both secular viewers (intrigue, battles) and religious viewers (faith, redemption).
• Secondary Audience: Young adults and international markets, drawn to Uriah’s immigrant story and the series’ global historical scope.
• Cultural Resonance: Uriah’s Hittite-to-Israelite journey mirrors modern immigration and identity struggles, while David’s fall and redemption speak to moral complexity. The series elevates a marginalized biblical figure, offering a fresh lens on faith and loyalty.
• Awards Potential: Strong contender for Emmys or Golden Globes in drama, writing, and acting, with Uriah’s unique perspective and siege visuals standing out.
Why Now?
• Cultural Appetite: Post-Game of Thrones, audiences crave epic historical dramas with complex characters and moral stakes. Uriah fills this gap with a biblical twist, blending action and spirituality.
• Faith-Based Boom: The success of The Chosen and Jesus Revolution shows demand for high-quality religious content that appeals beyond niche audiences. Uriah balances faith with gritty drama, broadening its reach.
• Historical Authenticity: Growing interest in ancient Near Eastern cultures (e.g., Hittites, Assyrians) makes Uriah’s siegecraft a timely hook, offering a fresh take on biblical history.
• Social Relevance: Uriah’s outsider status and betrayal resonate in an era of immigration debates and trust in leadership, making his story both timeless and timely.
Visual and Tonal Vision
• Tone: Gritty yet hopeful, blending the visceral intensity of Vikings with the spiritual resonance of The Passion of the Christ. Uriah’s loyalty and David’s sin drive a tragic arc, tempered by redemption.
• Cinematography: Sweeping desert vistas for battles, claustrophobic palace intrigue, and torchlit siege scenes. Dynamic angles (e.g., rams from below, towers from above) enhance action.
• Production Design: Hittite-inspired siege equipment (bronze rams, storm-etched towers) contrasts Israelite simplicity (stone altars, linen armor). Jerusalem’s palace mixes opulence and decay.
• Costumes: Uriah’s Hittite armor (bronze, conical helmets) evolves with Israelite elements post-conversion. David’s royal robes clash with his shepherd roots. Bathsheba’s attire reflects her rising status.
• Score: A haunting blend of ancient instruments (lyre, shofar, Hittite drums) and orchestral swells, evoking both Hittite rituals and Hebrew psalms.
Potential Challenges and Solutions
• Challenge: Balancing historical accuracy with dramatic license.
Solution: Ground Hittite siegecraft in archaeological research (e.g., Hattusa reliefs) while taking creative liberties for pacing (e.g., streamlined tower construction). Consultants ensure authenticity.
• Challenge: Appealing to both religious and secular audiences.
Solution: Emphasize universal themes (loyalty, betrayal) and complex characters, with faith elements woven organically (e.g., Uriah’s conversion, Nathan’s parable) to avoid preachiness.
• Challenge: High production costs for sieges and period sets.
Solution: Use practical effects (wooden rams, towers) and strategic CGI for cityscapes. Film in cost-effective locations like Morocco, leveraging existing biblical drama infrastructure.
Closing Pitch
Uriah is a bold, visually stunning biblical epic that reclaims a forgotten hero’s story, blending Hittite siegecraft with the raw emotion of loyalty and betrayal. Uriah’s journey—from a Hittite commander’s son wielding battering rams and siege towers to a martyred mighty man—offers a fresh lens on David’s reign, with high-stakes drama, authentic history, and universal resonance. With its epic battles, complex characters, and spiritual depth, Uriah is poised to captivate audiences, spark cultural conversation, and stand as a landmark in historical drama. Let’s build this tower to the heavens and break the gates of storytelling convention.
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