Who Is in the Netflix ‘The Gospel of Christmas’ Cast [With Photos]

Tyler Perry is bringing gospel royalty to Netflix this week, and the cast of ‘The Gospel of Christmas’ is the main reason the holiday film has drawn so much attention. The film is set to premiere on Nov. 11, and it follows a struggling pastor who inherits his family’s church in a broken New York neighborhood.

Perry wrote and directed the project and also produces alongside Angi Bones and Tony L. Strickland. Netflix has released a batch of first look images, and the cast list reads like a gathering of gospel legends and powerhouse vocalists. Here is a closer look at the performers who anchor the story and the roles each one plays.

Tank

Tank plays Isaac, the preacher at the center of the story. He battles doubt, temptation and a sinister adversary while trying to save his church, his family and his community.

Tank currently stars on ‘Reasonable Doubt’ alongside Morris Chestnut, so the role arrives while his screen career is already moving. He has also expanded beyond R&B, including a Broadway run in Alicia Keys’ ‘Hell’s Kitchen’.

The film also leans on his musical background. According to Netflix Tudum, Perry said the vision began with listening to the songs that carried him through some very rough times, and the soundtrack spans gospel, rap and holiday music produced by Kirk Franklin.

Fantasia Barrino

Fantasia Barrino plays Rebecca, the wife who sticks by Isaac as he tries to rebuild a failing church in a rough neighborhood. The couple travels to New York City with their family.

The part marks her latest major screen role following her performance as Celie in the musical adaptation of ‘The Color Purple’. The ‘American Idol’ season three winner received an NAACP Image Award for that work.

Interest in the project built early. The film had been long rumored after clips surfaced on social media of Fantasia performing a musical sequence on set. The trailer shows her and Tank sharing the pulpit and eventually the microphone.

Mason Douglas

Mason Douglas plays Jacob, the son of Isaac and Rebecca. The Baltimore native attended Towson University and has appeared in ‘Teen Wolf’, ‘BMF’ and ‘The Ms. Pat Show’.

Speaking to WMAR, Douglas described Jacob as a young man fresh out of high school who wants more attention from a father pulled in many directions. He added that Isaac is a loving father who simply has a lot on his mind.

Douglas called working with Perry a bucket list moment and said songs would break out on set at any time, with cast members joining in between setups. He named the power of prayer as the film’s main takeaway.

Shirley Caesar

Pastor Shirley Caesar plays May, and her earlier film credits include ‘Joyful Noise’. Her presence adds to the sense that the cast of ‘The Gospel of Christmas’ doubles as a roll call of gospel music.

Fred Hammond appears as Abraham, Hezekiah Walker as Matthew, Yolanda Adams as Gloria and CeCe Winans as Mrs. Johnson. The Clark Sisters fill out the family roles, with Jacky Clark Chisholm as Bella, Twinkie Clark as Aunt Susan, Dorinda Clark as Aunt Pearl and Karen Clark Sheard as Aunt Lynn.

Kirk Franklin produced an 11 track soundtrack that brings Fantasia, Tank and Caesar together with other gospel heavyweights for original performances and holiday classics. If you have followed these voices for years, tell us in the comments which member of the cast of ‘The Gospel of Christmas’ you most hope gets a full solo moment inside Tank’s church.