Seal joins the cast of Fox live musical event ‘The Passion’

When in doubt, bring in a ringer.

Fox announced Thursday that four-time Grammy winner Seal would be joining the cast of the upcoming live musical event “The Passion.” The project, a modern interpretation of the final hours of the life of Jesus Christ, will feature the singer as Pontius Pilate, the government official who oversaw the trial and crucifixion of Christ.

Last week, the network announced the casting of Jencarlos Canela (“Telenovela”) as Jesus and Chris Daughtry (“American Idol”) as Judas, joining a cast that already includes musicians Prince Royce as Peter, Trisha Yearwood as Mary and Tyler Perry as host and narrator.

The production is written by Peter Barsocchini (“High School Musical”) and arranged by executive producer Adam Anders (“Glee,” “Rock of Ages”). Though the story may be 2000 years old, the live event will be reinterpreted through passages of the Bible and popular music.

Fox found success with its first foray into live musical events with “Grease Live” scoring 12 million viewers on Sunday. The event, an adaptation of 1971 musical “Grease,” did not lack for spectacle, something that “The Passion” hopes to match.

To do so, “The Passion” will feature performances at a host of iconic New Orleans locations, including a procession of a thousand people carrying a 20-foot, illuminated cross from the shadow of the Superdome to a live stage on the banks on the Mississippi River.

“The Passion” will air live on March 20, Palm Sunday, at 8 p.m. Eastern time. West Coast viewers will have to settle for a tape-delayed broadcast.

Meanwhile, Seal fans can revisit his iconic love song “Kiss From a Rose” in a commercial for Sunday’s Super Bowl. An extended version of the ad has already made its way online and can be experienced below.

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