Israeli actress Noa Cohen is starring as the title character in the new film Mary, which follows her New Testament life story including the birth of Jesus.

Shunned after the godly conception of her child even though she was a virgin, Mary is forced into hiding. But King Herod’s desire to maintain power pushes him in the film to launch a murderous hunt for Mary’s newborn child, Jesus, who he sees as a threat to his reign on the throne. Audiences will see Mary and her husband Joseph flee and try to hide their infant son from the king, who will be played by Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins.

Filming for the movie recently concluded in Morocco, according to Deadline. The publication added that Cohen, 21, was chosen to portray Mary in the film following a worldwide casting call. The Israel native — who was reportedly raised only an hour away from Nazareth, where Mary was born — has previously starred in the Israeli young adult series My Nephew Bentz, Infinity, and the 2022 film Silent Game.

Nadav Levi, from the Bold talent agency in Israel that represents Cohen, told Ynet: “It’s an exciting achievement. Choosing an Israeli actress for such a project is definitely a triumph.”

Mary is directed by DJ Caruso and the original screenplay was written by Timothy Michael Hayes after consulting with priests, bishops, Baptist pastors, rabbis, Mormons, Muslims, biblical scholars, and theologians, according to Deadline. The production team includes hair and makeup artist Karen Hartley-Thomas, who was Oscar nominated for her role in Israeli director Guy Nattiv’s film Golda, about former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir.

“I want to give the world a portrayal of the real human Mary,” Caruso said of his film. “Her story has a lesser-known beginning; it is profoundly worthy of being told. Portraying her from birth through childhood and presenting her as a human being with apprehensions and fears will be a celebration of everything inspiring and gut-wrenching about her journey.”