Prime Video is set to premiere its grand new Biblical drama, , today (Thursday, February 27). The first three episodes will be released simultaneously, with the remaining parts of the eight-episode series dropping weekly.
The show, which draws directly from Biblical narratives, retells the iconic story of David (portrayed by Michael Iskander) and Goliath (played by Martyn Ford), with the inaugural episode hinting at a showdown between the two. Viewers might be curious about Ford, who plays the role of the Philistines’ champion, Goliath.
The 42 year old British actor, bodybuilder, and social media sensation hails from Minworth, Birmingham. After a stint in professional cricket, Ford transitioned into bodybuilding, quickly gaining recognition in the fitness industry due to his remarkable physique.
Standing tall at 6ft 8in or 203cm, Ford’s towering stature and formidable physicality earned him the nickname ‘The Nightmare’. House of David isn’t Ford’s first acting gig; he made his film debut in the 2016 American-Bulgarian movie Boyka: Undisputed.
Since then, he’s appeared in Benidorm, Kingsman: The Golden Circle, Final Score, Fast and Furious 9, and ‘s The Sandman. Some of his notable recent roles include Odium in HBO’s The Nevers and Flamma in the irreverent historical drama Those About To Die, reports the .
Martyn Ford as Goliath in House of David (Image: PRIME VIDEO)
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According to IMDb, Ford has several other projects lined up, including Mortal Kombat II, Made Ordinary, and Red Sonja.
This isn’t the first time Ford has taken on the role of Goliath, having previously portrayed the character in the 2016 TV series Of Kings and Prophets. In House of David, Goliath is depicted as a “demigod” and a “mythical creature”, but he’s also shown to have a deep “devotion” to his family, which becomes his “life’s purpose” following the sudden death of his mother.
He seeks to avenge her death by “any means possible”. The actor shared some behind-the-scenes photos of himself getting into character as Goliath, including showcasing the giant’s lustrous blonde mane and shots from the expansive sets of the show.
Discussing his involvement in House of David, Ford said: “When I got offered the opportunity to read for Goliath, it was an absolute no brainer. I think it’s a character that stands out in history. I think there’s a massive opportunity to really put across my personal opinions on how the character should be portrayed and the writers listened.
“It is important and powerful to understand where people come from, and the opportunity to read for Goliath was fantastic.
Martyn Ford switched from cricket to bodybuilding (Image: GETTY)
“I auditioned. I also had the opportunity to meet up with the two Jons [executive producers Jon Erwin and Jon Gunn]. We got on like a house on fire, and the relationship with myself and my mother was probably what pushed the other line for me. It was an interesting read, and it was a very fascinating conversation, and it’s worked out phenomenally.”
In his latest role, actor Ford shared that he conducted extensive research and aimed to inject “an element of truth” into the character. To match Goliath’s formidable presence, Ford overhauled his training regime, focusing on weightlifting and strength exercises, while also adjusting his diet to be more in line with what Goliath might have eaten.
Martyn Ford has previously played Goliath back in 2016 (Image: GETTY)
“There was a lot more focus on how Goliath would look and how he would have potentially used his environment to grow physically,” explained Ford. He noted the shift towards a more primal routine: “It was more animalistic, and that changed the way I ate. There was a lot more focus and emphasis on the carbs, which would give me a fuller, more powerful look, and it was a really interesting transition. And, definitely for me, coming from the last job that I did, where I had more of a fighter’s physique.”
House of David airs weekly on Thursdays on Prime Video