Alice Cooper previously appeared as King Herod (in a special guest appearance) on the cast recording for the 1997 London revival of Jesus Christ Superstar starring Steve Balsamo as the title role. Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert (2018) marks the first time that Cooper has played the role physically on stage.
Ben Daniels, who plays Pontius Pilate, previously played Caiaphas in the BBC miniseries The Passion (2008). His other previous Biblical television film role was Jonathan in David (1997).
With their Emmy wins for the concert, Andrew Lloyd Weber, Tim Rice, and John Legend all achieved EGOT status on the same night.
When Alice Cooper arrives on stage as Herod, the extras are bowing before him in an echo of the "We're Not Worthy" gesture from Wayne's World (1992). The first recipient of this accolade in film was Alice Cooper himself in the very same film.
The film won 5 Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction for a Variety Special, Outstanding Production Design for a Variety Special, Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Variety Series or Special, Outstanding Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video Control for a Limited Series, Movie or Special and Outstanding Variety Special (Live)