At just 16 years old, Hussey was cast as the Virgin Mary, and it's pretty amazing to think about how much pressure and responsibility came with playing such an iconic character. She was still in school when she auditioned for the role, and the rest, as they say, is history! The show was filmed in 1976 and 1977, and Hussey's performance earned her a Golden Globe nomination.
The Jesus of Nazareth series was a huge deal back in the day, and it's still widely popular today, with many considering it one of the best adaptations of the Bible ever made. The show boasted an all-star cast, including Robert Powell as Jesus, and it's pretty cool to think about how Hussey got to be a part of such an incredible project. The series was filmed on location in Morocco and Tunisia, which added to the show's authenticity and grandeur.
Fun fact: did you know that Olivia Hussey was actually discovered by the show's director, Franco Zeffirelli, when she was just 15 years old? He saw her in a school play and thought she had the perfect look for the role of Mary. Talk about a fairytale come true! Hussey has said in interviews that she was nervous but thrilled to be a part of the project, and it's clear that she was destined for stardom.
But here's the thing: playing the Virgin Mary isn't exactly the most glamorous role, and Hussey has spoken about how she had to deal with the pressure of portraying such an iconic character. She's said that she had to immerse herself in the role and try to connect with the character on a deep level. It's pretty inspiring to think about how she was able to rise to the challenge and deliver such an amazing performance.
