FOX’s new biblical series The Faithful: Women of the Bible made its debut on March 22, 2026, bringing the stories of Genesis to television through a different lens. Instead of focusing only on the well-known patriarchs, the show centers on the women whose choices shaped the course of biblical history. The first episode, titled “The Woman Who Bowed To No One,” runs for two hours and introduces viewers to Sarah (played by Minnie Driver) and her servant Hagar (Natacha Karam). Their story deals with faith, waiting, and the difficult decisions people make when promises seem out of reach.
The premiere episode aired at 8:00 PM ET/PT on FOX and became available for streaming on Hulu the following day. The series will continue with new episodes on March 29 and conclude on April 5, Easter Sunday. Filmed on location in Rome and Matera, Italy, the show aims to present these ancient figures as real people dealing with real struggles.
The Story of Sarai and Abram Begins in Harran
The episode opens with Hagar telling her story, hinting at how she became connected to Sarah’s family. Viewers are then taken back to 1900 BC in Harran, where a young woman named Sarai (who later becomes Sarah) refuses to marry the wealthy man her family has chosen for her. When she speaks out against him publicly, a humble man named Abram (Jeffrey Donovan) steps in to defend her. He gives her a blue shawl she admired and asks her to marry him, promising an equal partnership based on love rather than duty. Sarai accepts.
Years pass, and the couple shares a strong marriage, but they have no children. Sarai carries the weight of her barrenness in silence, while Abram stays faithful and refuses to take another wife. The story takes a turn when Abram hears a voice he believes is God telling him to leave his homeland. God promises that Abram will become the father of many descendants. Sarai struggles to believe this but chooses to follow her husband into the unknown.
Facing Pharaoh and Finding Hagar
The journey to Canaan brings hardship. The group faces severe shortages of food and water, forcing them to seek help in Egypt. There, Sarai refuses to bow to Pharaoh, which sets her apart. She gets taken to Pharaoh’s palace, where the ruler becomes interested in her boldness and plans to make her his wife. Inside the palace, Sarai meets Hagar, an Egyptian servant whose home was destroyed, forcing her into slavery.
Sarai and Hagar form a connection, sharing their pain and struggles. When Sarai is brought before Pharaoh, she fights back and even tries to physically resist. But something unusual happens—Pharaoh becomes seriously ill. Believing Sarai is protected by some unseen power, he orders her removed from the palace and sends Hagar away with her. Sarai reunites with Abram, and Hagar stays with the couple as they settle in Canaan.
The Promise That Tests Faith
In the new land, Sarai continues to wait for a child. Years pass with no change. Abram keeps receiving assurances that he will have many descendants, but the promise seems to include him without including her. Sarai begins losing hope and asks God for proof of the promise. Nothing changes.
Reaching the limits of her patience, Sarai decides to take matters into her own hands. She proposes that Hagar have a child with Abram so the family will have an heir. She offers to free Hagar and help her reconnect with her past in exchange. Hagar reluctantly agrees to the arrangement. Abram goes along with the plan for Sarai’s sake, even though he does not fully understand the choice.
When Plans Bring Unexpected Results
Hagar becomes pregnant with Abram’s child. What was meant to solve one problem creates new tensions. The bond between Sarai and Hagar shifts as jealousy and uncertainty grow. Sarai had hoped to feel relief, but instead finds herself dealing with complicated feelings about the situation.
The episode ends with the news that Hagar is carrying a boy. The agreement that seemed like a solution becomes the start of deeper struggles that will test their relationships and their faith.
What Critics Are Saying About the Premiere
Reviewers have noted that the show attempts to bring a modern perspective to ancient stories. The Upcoming’s Antonia Georgiou pointed out that the series explores themes like surrogacy that remain relevant today, calling the exchanges between Driver and Karam the emotional heart of the episode. The Hollywood Reporter observed that Driver does strong work showing Sarah’s mixed emotions, though the review noted the show sometimes moves quickly through key moments.
The Christian Post shared comments from executive producers Julie Weitz and Rene Echevarria, who said they wanted to tell these stories from a perspective that has not been fully explored on screen before. Weitz described Sarah’s journey as “a journey of faith” while noting that Hagar’s story looks at freedom and survival.
Beliefnet’s review highlighted how the series helps viewers connect with biblical figures on a more personal level, making it easier to understand their joys and struggles. Aleteia noted that while the show makes some creative choices, it succeeds in drawing audiences back to Scripture to read more.
Cast and Production Details
Minnie Driver leads the cast as Sarah, with Jeffrey Donovan playing Abraham and Natacha Karam as Hagar. Future episodes will feature Alexa Davalos as Rebekah, Millie Brady as Leah, and Blu Hunt as Rachel. The series comes from executive producers Carol Mendelsohn (known for the CSI franchise), Julie Weitz, and Rene Echevarria, who also serves as showrunner and wrote the pilot.
The creative team consulted with theologians and scholars, including Russell Moore and Rabbi Wendy Zierler, to keep the story grounded in its historical and cultural context. Echevarria, who has dealt with infertility in his own life, said he connected personally to Sarah’s story of waiting for a child.
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Where to Watch
The Faithful: Women of the Bible airs Sundays at 8:00 PM ET/PT on FOX. The first episode premiered March 22, 2026. The second set of episodes airs March 29, and the finale arrives April 5, 2026. Viewers who miss the live broadcast can stream episodes on Hulu starting the day after each Sunday airing.
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