New from NBC: Jesus in TV Series

NBC has produced a new drama, The Book of Daniel, in which Aidan Quinn's character (Webster) pops painkillers and has heart-to-heart discussions with his celestial savior (played by Deadwood's Garret Dillahunt). Its debut will be the 6th of January.

Quinn declared: When I read the script, I just started pacing back and forth, laughing, I thought, 'I could see myself doing this.' And it's set in New York? That's it.

Quinn, 46, is best known for his work in such films as Legends of the Fall and TV movie An Early Frost; Daniel is the first series for him.

Daniel has other interesting characters: Susanna Thompson co-stars as Judith, the martini- loving wife. Their kids are: Peter, who's 23 and gay; an adopted Chinese son, Adam, and an angst-ridden daughter, Grace, both 16. There is also an unconventional bishop.

Quinn calls himself a non- observant Irish Catholic, so it took him a while to get a grip on his character, an Episcopalian. He attended Episcopal services in New York, New Jersey and California, and was impressed: The ministers all had sermons that dealt with social issues relevant to the local community, and they dealt with them in a brave way, with a sense of humor.

The Roman Catholic Church is not the same, according to Quinn:
There are exceptions, but for the most part the sermons are pretty dry and boring. Basically, they're more focused on what you're doing wrong and what a sinner you are.

Quinn doesn't really care if 'Daniel' offends some Catholics, That's certainly not the intent. That's certainly not the truth. There are filters it goes through, including Jack's and mine.