Written by Russell T. Davies, award-winning creator of the popular Showtime series “Queer As Folk” and Bob & Rose, The Second Coming first aired in the U.S. on BBC America in October 2003. The ITV airing in Britain outdrew the TV debut of Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me and met with both critical acclaim and controversy. The Second Coming stars Christopher Eccleston (The Others, Elizabeth, Cracker) and Lesley Sharp (Bob & Rose, The Full Monty). The program was nominated for a mini-series award at the Monte Carlo TV Festival.

In the mini-series opener, Christopher Eccleston stars as Steve Baxter, a man who is found incoherent by the English roadside, mumbling that he’s the Son of God. His old school friend, Judith (played by The Full Monty’s Leslie Sharp), thinks he’s gone mad. Steve quickly discovers it’s not easy to convince everyone that he’s the Second Coming, and decides to stage a major event in a soccer stadium to gain the world’s notice. A miracle ensues, and he tells onlookers that mankind must write its own Third Testament or face Judgment Day in five days’ time. Pandemonium develops, inflamed by a full media-circus, as people try to understand what is happening. Excitement, fear, cynicism and violence erupt everywhere, as the drama speeds towards its surprisingly powerful conclusion.