What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedMary Magdalene
Garth Davis · Film · 2018
If you loved Mary Magdalene, start with The Chosen (Dallas Jenkins, 2019) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Mary Magdalene across media.
If you loved Mary Magdalene, you are drawn to stories where women defy restrictive traditions to pursue spiritual autonomy.
Books on the same thread
Mary: A Fiction
Mary Wollstonecraft · Book · 2022
Explores: Female Identity, Societal Constraints, Individualism.
Much like the protagonist of Mary Magdalene, the heroine here fights against the societal constraints of her era, asserting her individual identity despite deep pressure to conform to expectations.
Circe
Madeline Miller · Book · 2018
Shares a thread with Mary Magdalene: Female empowerment.
Just as Mary Magdalene seeks a path outside the margins of her society, Circe reclaims her own narrative, finding power and self-discovery through isolation and bold defiance of tradition.
The Handmaid's Tale
Margaret Atwood · Book · 2017
Explores: Totalitarianism, Religious Extremism, Gender Inequality.
While more dystopian than Mary Magdalene, this story shares a chilling look at religious extremism and the struggle for female agency in a world designed to silence women.
The Female Persuasion
Meg Wolitzer · Book · 2018
Explores: Mentorship, Feminism, Ambition.
The mentorship and pursuit of purpose found in Mary Magdalene echo here, as characters navigate the complexities of feminist ambition and the need to define their own moral paths.
Series on the same thread
The Chosen
Dallas Jenkins · Series · 2019
Shares 3 threads with Mary Magdalene: Faith, Biblical Drama, Historical Drama.
If the historical and spiritual setting of Mary Magdalene captivated you, this series offers a familiar, intimate look at the lives of those who encountered the ministry of Jesus.
Jesus of Nazareth
Franco Zeffirelli · Series · 1977
Shares 3 threads with Mary Magdalene: Faith, Biblical Drama, Historical Drama.
This epic production provides a broader historical context for the life of Jesus, mirroring the foundational religious themes that anchor the narrative arc of Mary Magdalene.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Amy Sherman-Palladino · Series · 2017
Shares a thread with Mary Magdalene: Female Empowerment.
Midge Maisel’s journey mirrors the spirit of Mary Magdalene as she rejects the life she was expected to lead to pursue a radical, authentic path of her own choosing.
Unorthodox
Anna Winger · Series · 2020
Shares a thread with Mary Magdalene: Religious Drama.
The protagonist’s flight from an arranged marriage in this series mirrors the opening of Mary Magdalene, highlighting the painful yet necessary search for identity outside of religious conflict.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Ascension · Podcast · 2026
Shares a thread with Mary Magdalene: faith.
Deepen your engagement with the historical and scriptural context of Mary Magdalene through this immersive exploration of the texts that shaped the world of the first century.
Making Space with Hoda Kotb
Hoda Kotb, TODAY · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Human resilience, Emotional healing, Self-discovery.
The focus on human resilience and self-discovery in these testimonies reflects the quiet, internal strength of the title character in Mary Magdalene as she navigates her spiritual awakening.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Mary Magdalene based on a historical setting?
Yes, Mary Magdalene is set in the first century. The film follows the protagonist as she flees an arranged marriage to join a radical movement led by a preacher named Jesus, reflecting the historical and cultural context of that era.
What is the primary motivation for the protagonist in Mary Magdalene?
The protagonist in Mary Magdalene is driven by a desire for independence. She flees an arranged marriage imposed by her family to find a sense of purpose and refuge within the radical new movement established by the preacher Jesus.
Who leads the movement featured in Mary Magdalene?
The movement featured in Mary Magdalene is led by a charismatic and rabble-rousing preacher named Jesus. Mary joins this group after leaving her family and the marriage they arranged for her, seeking a different path for her life.
Does Mary Magdalene focus on the life of a specific religious figure?
Mary Magdalene focuses on the life of its titular character as she navigates her role within the movement led by Jesus. The narrative tracks her journey from fleeing an arranged marriage to finding her own sense of purpose alongside the preacher.