It’s become a global phenomenon with over 600 million episode views and over 10 million social media followers in 175 countries. So far, it’s translated in 50 languages, and is one of the most watched shows in the world, available for free on multiple streaming services, and on The Chosen app. What began as a Christmas Eve production for a local church evolved into a crowd-funded project that exploded worldwide via accessible media platforms.
What’s all the hype about? It’s about a man named Jesus, at once the most beloved and controversial historical figure of all time. The backdrop is first century Israel; God’s chosen people are living under Roman occupation and oppression, waiting for the promised Messiah to deliver them.
Ready to launch Season Four in January, The Chosen offers an authentic and intimate portrayal of Jesus’ revolutionary life and teachings. The story line is biblically and historically accurate, according to fans and critics alike. Creator, writer and director Dallas Jenkins highlights biblical stories in ways that often challenge our long-held assumptions. He weaves backstory to help us understand the culture, yet keeps the language current to avoid alienating us.
Casting
The cast of characters is convincing; Jonathan Roumie, portraying Jesus, brings compassion, humility, and even playfulness – in a naturally realistic portrayal. The disciples are vulnerable, relatable, and very human. They argue and fuss; they have physical and emotional weaknesses; they doubt. They remind us of ourselves. On the flip side, Jesus and the disciples also joke around and tease each other – a refreshing shift in what we’ve come to expect from biblical dramas. The entire cast, including supporting actors, is well placed and credible.
Playing Mary Magdalene
Also refreshing is the organic inclusion of women in Jesus’ ministry. In the opening episode of Season One we are introduced to Elizabeth (Liz) Tabish, who depicts the troubled, demon-possessed Mary Magdalene. It is a dark episode. Mary’s experiences require Tabish to call forth deep emotions. Tabish successfully portrays Mary as two very different women; the troubled Mary (Lilith) and the whole Mary (of Magdala). She is almost unrecognizable in the opposing personas.
Tabish recalls the first episode: “…the first thing you see, she’s got blood on her hands; it’s pretty brutal… to see what happens to her – going from that possessed woman to redeemed, full of joy, and peace and love – is so extreme, I feel that anybody who is watching it, no matter what they’ve done or gone through, if she can feel that, everyone can. It’s a good example of what redemption can mean.”
Liz Tabish has struggled with her own demons. “When I first got the role, I was in a state of depression, and probably related more to the demon-possessed ‘Lilith’ portion of Mary than the redeemed Mary,” she says, adding that she understood the sense of despair and helplessness. She speaks from personal experience about trauma – of being pulled down into cycles of being hurt – and, more generally, how we hurt ourselves by continuing the cycle, then “slapping on band-aids” to numb the pain. In the first season, Tabish utilized the Lilith themes as a catharsis for her own pain. She also describes how past trauma can lead to a relapse into old habits (Season Two), and the beauty in knowing that even then, we are loved, forgiven and needed in the world. Her own Chosen miracle is her ability to connect with the role: “God uses our pain…every bit of us – all the things we want to reject, all the things we are ashamed of – all of that can be used for good. What I love about Mary is because she’s gone through so much, she can recognize it in other people, connect with them and realize they need help. Having been very socially isolated in the past and in a place of depression, this whole show has pulled me out of that and given me an incredible community of loving people who care for me, who care about me. To me that feels like a miracle.”
As she has gone through these four seasons, Tabish says, “My life has changed in dramatic ways – [The Chosen] shows us what real love looks like, what real friendship looks like, what real community looks like. It has taught me that those are things to call upon in your life instead of trying to do it all yourself.” She has come into her own sense of real joy and a sense of fulfillment in her role. In season 4, Tabish is glad to be “acting” instead of using Mary Magdalene as a catharsis.
The women
Although the twelve disciples are almost considered an exclusive circle, the inclusion of women in Jesus’ group of followers should come as no surprise. Tabish points out that some gospel references to women are quite brief, so it’s easy to look past them. Writers of The Chosen have broadened out their stories, revealing plausible backstory to their events. The women teach, they study, and they play a vital role in supporting the ministry financially. How Jesus engages with women in the show, explains Tabish, “is wonderful – a reminder of how Jesus treated women and a reminder of how women should be treated – which is with care and respect.” She adds, “He looked past the rules of the time and went straight to the heart.” Tabish goes on to note the pivotal role of women at the cross, going to the tomb, and in the early church.
Next season (no spoilers)
With production completed in July 2023, Season 4 is slated to open in theatres January 2024. “Season 4 has some of my absolute favourite performances from my colleagues,” says Tabish. “It’s an intense season, full of meaning and we’re getting closer to the end of the story – stakes are higher, everything feels more dangerous, we’re targets in society; as we go around we’re not welcome everywhere, things are getting very intense.” Jesus’ followers struggle with their faith, wondering what Jesus’ radical teachings will mean for them. Where do they fit in?
Jesus himself is subject to pressures from the religious and political establishment, finding himself increasingly isolated. In this season, we are subject to contrasts – darkness and light, death and life, sorrow and joy, grief and hope. Tabish concludes that Season 4 will be a worthwhile cinematic experience – given the locations and sets – as it comes available in theatres January 2024 for limited showings.
Seasons 1,2,3 and later, Season 4 of The Chosen are free on multiple streaming platforms, on the YES channel, and www.thechosen.tv.
Marion Van Driel delights in her roles as a wife, mother and grandmother; her soul is fed by both composing and composting. Music, words, form and colour are ingredients on which she thrives. She considers her garden a gift where family and friends gather to visit, heal, reflect and celebrate. Called as writer, artist, worship leader, gardener and (sometimes reluctant) follower of Christ, she bears evidence of God’s abundant grace without which she’d be someone else entirely.
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