NBC’s Kings was a short-lived drama that reimagined the biblical story of David and Saul within a modern, speculative universe. The 12-episode series focused on the fictional Kingdom of Gilboa and its struggle against the neighboring nation of Gath.
A departure from the historical prestige of The Crown and Victoria
The landscape of prestige television is often dominated by period dramas that find comfort in the past. As the source article notes, series like The Crown, Victoria, or The Tudors have successfully captured audiences by exploring established historical monarchies. However, Kings attempted a much more difficult narrative pivot by imposing the concept of royalty onto a contemporary, alternate-universe setting.
This move was inherently risky because, as the report suggests, most modern viewers are not naturally inclined toward the idea of being ruled by a king. By blending the ancient concept of divine right with a modern aesthetic, the show sought to challenge the audience's relationship with authority in a way that traditional historical dramas do not. This tension between ancient tradition and modern sensibilities was the core of the show's identity.
The Goliath tank and the rise of David Shepard
The series utilized high-stakes action to bridge the gap between ancient myth and modern warfare. Central to this was the character of David Shepard, played by Christopher Egan, who serves as the modern iteration of the biblical David.. A defining moment in the series involved Shepard taking down the "Goliath tank," a secret weapon belonging to the enemy nation of Gath.
This technological twist provided a literal,modern interpretation of the David and Goliath legend.. While Ian McShane anchored the show as King Silas Benjamin—a ruler described as being divinely chosen by God—the tension between the monarch and the rising soldier provided the primary dramatic engine for the 12 episodes produced by NBC. the juxtaposition of McShane's seasoned presence against Egan's youthful soldier created a dynamic that attempted to modernize the Saul-David conflict.
Michael Green’s speculative vision for the Kingdom of Gilboa
Creator Michael Green designed the series to function as a speculative reimagining rather than a strict historical or religious adaptation. By setting the story in the fictional Kingdom of Gilboa, the production was able to use biblical names as thematic signposts rather than literal constraints.
This approach allowed the show to signal its inspirations to the audience—cluing them into the David and Saul archetypes—without being tethered to a 1:1 retelling of the Old Testament. It was an attempt to create a unique mythology that felt both ancient and entirely new to the network television landscape. By divorcing the names from the original text, Green gave the series room to breathe within its own speculative rules.
Why the Kingdom of Gilboa vanished after 12 episodes
Despite its ambitious attempt to reinvent a classic narrative, the series remains a relatively obscure footnote in television history. The source article highlights the show's groundbreaking nature but does not provide a specific reason for its brief 12-episode run.
Several questions remain regarding the show's disappearance from the NBC lineup. It is unclear whether the "tougher sell" of a modern monarchy led to low viewership, or if the highly speculative nature of Michael Green's vision proved too niche for a broad network audience. Additionally, the report does not clarify if the series was intended to be a limited run or if it was cut short by external factors like ratings or production costs.
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