Seasons & episodes

We can promise you two things about Season 4: (1) It won’t be easy. (2) It will be worth it. Get ready for our most challenging, but rewarding season yet. (And also get your tickets at https://www.thechosenriseup.com/)

We say “goodbye” to John the Baptist, but “hello” to the actor who plays him. Join David Amito and fellow castmates, Noah James (Andrew) and Amy Bailey (Joanna), for a heartfelt discussion...and a little gallows humor, too. Then step into the writers’ room with Ryan Swanson and Tyler Thompson for a deep dive into the story—including the surprising load of meaning in a load of laundry.

Simon got a new name, but the other disciples aren’t sure he deserves it. Paras Patel (Matthew) and George H. Xanthis (John) join us to discuss the true-to-life relationships between Jesus’ followers—both competition and cooperation. Then we step back into the writers’ room with Ryan Swanson and Tyler Thompson to talk about how this episode went to hell…literally.

Do we really owe you an answer for the end of Episode Three? Dallas thinks so, yes. When an episode is so spiritually and emotionally weighty—and when it involves an extra-biblical story that affects real biblical people—we absolutely feel an obligation to explain ourselves. That’s why we’re taking some extra time in this Aftershow. First, you’ll hear from Joey Vahedi (Thomas) and Brandon Potter (Quintus) about what each of their characters loses in this episode. Then Dallas and Yasmine Al-Bustami (Ramah) reflect on how the most painful scene we’ve ever done was a long time in the making. Finally, Dallas takes the stand all by himself to be “cross-examined” by Chris and Jalein.

This episode is at the heart of the series—the exact midpoint—and it hits us right in the heart. Join Jonathan Roumie (Jesus) and Kirk B.R. Woller (Gaius) to discuss some of the sweetest and bitterest moments we’ve seen, along with some serious paradoxes. (Jesus leading a funeral procession? A Roman ruler bowing to the Jewish Messiah?) Then, writers Ryan Swanson and Tyler Thompson talk about the disciples' persistent misunderstanding of Jesus' mission. They just don't get it—and won't until He goes to the cross.

To discuss “Sitting, Serving, Scheming,” we’re joined by the actors who play the sitter, server, and schemer—Catherine Lidstone (Mary), Sophia Blum (Martha), and Luke Dimyan (Judas). Next, Shaan Sharma (Shmuel) and Ivan Jasso (Yussif) offer a little commentary on religion and politics in the Sanhedrin. Finally, writers Ryan Swanson and Tyler Thompson examine how bookkeeping in God’s kingdom just doesn’t compute for Judas.

From lines rehearsed in the moment to songs that came together last minute, there was a good deal of improvisation in “Dedication”—and the cast loved every minute of it. Jordan Walker Ross (Little James), Abe Bueno-Jallad (Big James), and Austin Reed Alleman (Nathanael) look back on all the fun moments in Episode Six…and also the not-so-fun stoning scene. Then writers Ryan and Tyler talk with us about the gift exchange between Gospel writers, Judas’ hearing problem, and what made Jesus’ claims about Himself so revolutionary.

Raising Lazarus from the dead was the high mark and greatest sign of Jesus’ public ministry—so why are Jesus and Thomas both weeping at the tomb? Jonathan Roumie (Jesus), Demetrios Troy (Lazarus), and Joey Vahedi (Thomas) join us to discuss. Next, Paras Patel (Matthew) and Liz Tabish (Mary Magdalene) explore their cave scene, a picture of the dark time faced by the apostles. Finally, writers Ryan Swanson and Tyler Thompson give us a brief history of the disciples’ future; compare the opposite reactions but similar mindsets of Thomas and Judas; and reflect on how hindsight isn’t really 20/20. We “see through a glass darkly” until the Resurrection.

Shmuel takes Jesus’ side until Mary worships at His feet. Jonathan Roumie (Jesus), Shaan Sharma (Shmuel), and Catherine Lidstone (Mary B.) discuss why the anointing at Bethany was so divisive. Next, it’s a family reunion of sorts when King David and the “Son of David” (or, at least, the actors who play them) meet for the first time. You’re gonna love this special segment with Jonathan and Jorge Franco IV. Finally, Dallas joins us, but just yaks about animals—a horse and donkey, sheep and goats, and one very special anointed Lamb.

“We didn’t really have to act very much,” says Liz Tabish (Mary Magdalene). Welcomed with hosannas and palm branches by 600 background actors, The Chosen cast felt like they were truly experiencing Jesus’ Triumphal Entry. Liz, Abe Bueno-Jallad (Big James), and Ivan Jasso (Yussif) give us the disciples’ perspective on this amazing start to Holy Week—and on the “thunder” that soon follows. The writers, Ryan Swanson and Tyler Thompson, talk to us about two reversals: the choice to open each episode with the Last Supper, but in reverse chronological order, and the inversion of the Triumphal Entry—the tragic destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70.

Overturning the Temple market was as unsettling as it was necessary. Joining us to discuss Jesus’ actions and the disciples’ reactions are Jonathan Roumie (Jesus), Shahar Isaac (Peter), and Noah James (Andrew). They also observe the stark contrast between “the Rock” standing up to preach and “House of Cards” getting knocked down.

Whoa! Jesus just woe’d the scribes and Pharisees in Episode 3—publicly shaming them as hypocrites. Here to respond are three of the Pharisee actors: Shaan Sharma (Shmuel), Ivan Jasso (Yussif), and Brad Culver (Zebadiah)...although one of them is secretly a disciple. Then, assistant directors, Adam Drake and Mitch Hudson, pull back the curtain on making The Chosen’s longest scene ever, directing hundreds of people, and even herding some sheep.

There are two sides to every coin—and every story. Episode 4 gave us both: John the beloved and Judas the betrayer. Joining us to talk about their distinct differences and surprising similarities are George H. Xanthis (John) and Luke Dimyan (Judas). Then writers, Ryan Swanson and Tyler Thompson, explain why they included the ninth-century Dayenu in the first-century Last Supper—and they give us a Dayenu of their own.

There’s no Pax Romana in Episode 5. Pilate can’t keep the peace among his subjects or in his household, so Atticus takes things—and even the governor—into his own hands. Here to discuss the disorder and shifting power dynamics are Andrew James Allen (Pilate) and Elijah Alexander (Atticus).

In Episode 6, we saw the joining of forces. Some good and some bad. Some trying to save Jesus and some trying to kill Him. Here to represent the various alliances are Elizabeth Tabish (Mary Magdalene), Hassan Nazari-Robati (Kafni), and Richard Fancy (Caiaphas). Then Chosen creator, Dallas Jenkins, reveals his favorite scene of the whole season and shares how this episode, perhaps more than any other, plays out the vision he originally had for the series.

The first 45 seconds of this Aftershow will make you laugh, but the rest might make you cry as we talk about footwashing, a special Passover guest, and some deeply emotional flashbacks with Jordan Walker Ross (Little James), Alaa Safi (Simon Z), and David Amito (John the Baptist). And now that you’ve visited the Upper Room in every episode, you might be curious how The Chosen went about recreating this iconic space. Production Designer, James Cunningham, and Art Department Coordinator, B.J. Foreman, are here to answer that question.

In Episode 8, we saw one disciple meet Jesus for the first time and another kiss Him goodbye. But none of the twelve were there when He needed them most. Jesus was completely alone…or was He? Joining us to discuss the calling of Thaddeus, betrayal of Judas, isolation of Jesus—and those supernatural visitations—are Giavani Cairo, Luke Dimyan, and Jonathan Roumie. Then creator, Dallas Jenkins, and writer, Tyler Thompson, explain how the story that began a long time ago in a garden far, far away is finally coming to fruition in Gethsemane.

Alice shares how the Scriptures have come off the page for her in The Chosen.

Whether at ChosenCon or on set, Shandi loves being where The Chosen is—and the feeling’s mutual. In this video, she tells us a little more about why she and her daughter connect with the series.

Going through a difficult time with lots of uncertainty, Robert really connected with the Season 3 finale.

Rachel loves lots of things about The Chosen, but especially how we see Jesus' heart for kids.

Ethan shares how our Christmas special impacted his spiritual life, but also how the overall series is drawing in lots of fishermen who live in his community of Rockport, Texas.

Hear why Garrett made a trip to spend a week filming with us—and the The Chosen scene he finds most reassuring. Can you relate?

We're back with some more personal stories from the fans who joined us in Utah to film Holy Week. There's a common thread here about how The Chosen isn't bringing the Scripture to life—it's simply showing how real it's always been.