Fox News launches religious podcast using Kristen Bell's old recordings without notice

On Wednesday, Fox News Media announced plans to expand its religious new brand vertical, Fox Faith including the launch of The Life of Jesus Podcast, which is a 52-episode series that offers guidance “through the life, teachings, and miracles of Jesus Christ". 

According to the press release more than 100 actors were signed on the project to be hosted by Fox & Friends star Ainsley Earhardt, including Kristen Bell who would voice Mary Magdalene. 

However, Bell claims she was blindsided by the announcement and actually recorded the audio for a different project more than a decade ago. Her representative told Rolling Stone that she learned about the recent developments when her team received a request for her to appear on Fox & Friends a day prior to the announcement.

The representative clarified that Bell did not give permission for the old audiobook to be repurposed into a new podcast series. 

Bell originally voiced Mary Magdalene for The Truth and Life Dramatized Audio Bible, which is a New Testament audiobook released in 2010. A producer connected to the audiobook reportedly partnered with Gulfstream Studios, which is licensing The Life of Jesus Podcast to Fox Faith.

Additionally, all the names featured in the audiobook are now included Fox’s press release, such as Brian Cox, Sean Astin, Neal McDonough, Malcolm McDowell, John Rhys-Davies, and Julia Ormond. 

A spokesperson for Rhys-Davies and Brian Cox also confirmed to Rolling Stone that the individuals were unaware about Fox's project until very recently.

Meanwhile, a Fox News spokesperson claims that the podcast series was repurposed from the audio bible "with full cooperation and participation by all the actors involved".

Amid the confusion, the first batch of episodes for The Life of Jesus Podcast is scheduled to air on November 30.