Series hosted, narrated and executive produced by Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Martin Scorsese.
Johannesburg, 25 March 2026: National Geographic invites viewers to step into the lives of some of history’s most famous saints with the premiere of Martin Scorsese Presents The Saints. Hosted, narrated and executive produced by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Martin Scorsese, the seven-part series brings new perspectives to stories that have shaped faith, culture and history for centuries.
Premiering on National Geographic (DStv 181, StarTimes 220) on Sunday, 5 April at 21:00 (CAT), with new episodes airing weekly, the series blends historical insight with cinematic storytelling to explore the lives of these extraordinary figures whose stories continue to inspire fascination across the world.
Stories of Gaith and Conviction
Each episode focuses on a singular saint whose life left a lasting mark on history. The series explores Francis of Assisi, Joan of Arc, John the Baptist, Mary Magdalene, Maximilian Kolbe, Moses the Black and Sebastian. Through these stories, the series reflects on moments of courage, sacrifice and unwavering belief that shaped religious and cultural history.
The documentary elements are guided by leading scholars who unpack the historical and geopolitical context surrounding each saint’s life. Their insights help reveal how these individuals lived, the challenges they faced and why their stories continue to carry meaning across generations.
Bringing History Vividly to Life
The Saints combines expert interviews, dramatic recreations and archival material to create a rich visual narrative. Carefully crafted reenactments allow viewers to experience pivotal moments from their lives in ways that paintings, manuscripts and sculptures alone cannot capture.
Throughout the series, Scorsese’s narration provides context and reflection, shaped by a career-long fascination with the complex relationship between humanity and faith. Known for blockbuster films such as Raging Bull, Goodfellas and The Aviator, Scorsese brings a considered and cinematic lens to stories that have endured for centuries. With its mix of scholarship, storytelling and striking visuals, The Saints offers viewers a chance to rediscover the human stories behind figures often portrayed only through legend and tradition.
Series Rollout:
Episode 1: John the Baptist: The Patron Saint of Converts
Sunday 5 April 2026
In the 1st-Century Galilee, John baptized new followers as he awaited the coming of the Messiah. When he refused to baptize the sinful and insincere Princess of Galilee, Salome, John was imprisoned by her stepfather, King Herod. On the King’s birthday, he required Salome to perform naked, per tradition, but offered her anything she wanted in return. Salome requested the head of John the Baptist, who met the executioner at peace, knowing that he had spread God’s word and paved the path for the Messiah.
Episode 2: Mary Magdalene: The Patron Saint of Women
12 April 2026
Mary’s life began with mental instability until she met Jesus, who exorcised her of her demons. From that day forward, Mary remained devoted to Jesus, even staying to witness his crucifixion while Jesus’ other disciples fled in fear of Roman retribution. Mary followed Jesus’ body to the tomb and witnessed his resurrection before announcing it, cementing her place as the “apostle of apostles”.
Episode 3: Joan of Arc: The Patron Saint of Soldiers
19 April 2026
On a divinely inspired mission to drive the English out of France, Joan was instrumental in lifting the siege of Orleans, a turning point in the Hundred Years’ War. Captured, Joan was turned over to the English. Although Joan knew her visions were divinely inspired, her captors attributed them to the devil, citing the Old Testament prohibition against women wearing men’s clothing when they captured Joan in men’s armour. Even as Joan was burned at the stake, she refused to recant, making her a martyr before achieving sainthood 500 years later.
Episode 4: Francis of Assisi: Patron Saint of the Environment, Animals, and Birds
26 April 2026
Abandoning his life of luxury to live as a friar, Francis travelled to Egypt during the height of the Fifth Crusade in hopes of converting Muslims to Christianity and ending the conflict. During a battle between the Crusaders and Saracens, Francis was captured and brought before the Saracen ruler. To Francis’s surprise, the Saracen ruler was open-minded, and, as they engaged in an open dialogue about their concept of God, Francis realized they ultimately served the same God. When Francis returned to the Crusaders, he told them that the Saracen ruler was a man of God, and, until they saw him as such, there would never be peace in the Middle East.
Episode 5: Moses the Black: The Patron Saint of Nonviolence
3 May 2026
After an unsuccessful attack on a Roman tax barge, Moses sought refuge in a monastery. As the Abbot became an unexpected mentor to Moses, he committed his life to peace and piety, transforming from a feared bandit to a revered monk. In the wake of his mentor’s death, Moses became the new Abbot. Years later, Moses sent his fellow monks away from the monastery when he learned that Berbers were robbing monasteries, knowing that if they stayed, they would die. But Moses and four of his fellow bandits-turned-monks stayed behind and, when confronted by the robbers, Moses had a moment of clarity and ordered his monks to drop their weapons before he was killed.
Episode 6: Sebastian: The Patron Saint of Athletes and Archers
10 May 2026
A soldier in the Roman Empire, Sebastian was promoted to Centurion when his efforts impressed Emperor Diocles. Little did Diocles know that Sebastian was secretly a devout Christian during a time when believers were being persecuted by the Emperor’s pagan regime. After a group of Christians were rounded up to be executed, Sebastian intervened, revealing his Christian identity. Diocles gave Sebastian a choice: denounce his faith or die. Sebastian held firm and Roman archers tied him to an olive tree and fired crossbows at him. Sebastian’s wife cut him down and found that he was still alive. After regaining his strength, Sebastian confronted Diocles, who ordered his men to kill Sebastian, whose final words were “Jesus Christ is Lord”.
Episode 7: Maximilian Kolbe: Patron Saint of Prisoners
17 May 2026
Patron Saint of Prisoners. A Polish priest who led a small friary outside Warsaw during World War II, Maximilian was captured by German soldiers and sent to Auschwitz. When a man in his barracks escaped, the soldiers picked 10 random men to starve to death as punishment. Maximilian offered himself in place of a stranger and, while imprisoned in a windowless cell, offered support and encouragement to his fellow prisoners. At the end of the second week, everyone had died except for Maximilian. Baffled, the guards prepared to deliver a lethal injection. Instructed to hold Maximilian down, he instead offered his arm for the injection with the last bit of his strength.
Martin Scorsese Presents The Saints is produced by Lionsgate Alternative Television and Pilgrim Media Group for National Geographic. Martin Scorsese serves as host, narrator and executive producer. Executive producers include Scorsese, Julie Yorn, Rick Yorn, Chris Donnelly, Yoshi Stone, Craig Piligian and Matt Loze. The series is written by Kent Jones and directed by Elizabeth Chomko.