The Untold Story of The Chosen: Secrets That Will Sh0ck You

Imagine a TV show about Jesus that didn’t just retell the familiar gospel stories, but actually made you feel as if you were walking the dusty roads of Galilee, laughing with his disciples, and sitting at the table as miracles unfolded before your eyes.

That’s exactly what The Chosen has done.

It’s more than a series; it’s a global phenomenon that has crossed cultural and denominational lines, speaking to believers and skeptics alike.

But here’s the real question.

How did a small, crowdfunded project with no backing from Hollywood become the most-watched series on the life of Christ in history? Why do millions of viewers from Brazil to South Korea feel like they’re seeing Jesus in a new light for the first time?

The answer lies not only in the powerful storytelling but in the surprising choices, behind-the-scenes challenges, and deeply human details that most people don’t know about.

From a lead actor who has portrayed Jesus more than once, to storylines that break barriers by representing autism and disability, to near cancellations that almost ended production—The Chosen carries a history just as dramatic as the biblical stories it portrays.

Let’s dive into 10 powerful insights and little-known facts about The Chosen.

But don’t expect a dry trivia list.

We’ll uncover the creative risks that made the series unique, explore the struggles the team faced, and show how this independent project is rewriting the rules of faith-based storytelling.

Along the way, we’ll ask questions that go beyond entertainment.

What does it mean for a modern audience to see Jesus through the eyes of those who followed him? How do these creative decisions reflect not just history, but timeless human struggles?

By the end of this, you’ll see why The Chosen isn’t just another show about the Bible.

It’s a movement transforming how stories of faith are told in the 21st century.

The Meaning Behind The Chosen

When people first hear the name The Chosen, it may sound simple, even predictable.

After all, the English word “chosen” immediately calls to mind disciples, prophets, or the people of Israel.

But if we pause for a moment, the title carries layers of meaning that give the series its depth.

In one sense, the title refers to Jesus himself—God’s chosen Messiah, set apart to fulfill the promises of scripture.

But the show adds another twist.

Chosen doesn’t just mean the people in first-century Judea.

It speaks to everyone who feels called, adopted, or drawn into the story of faith.

Whether they’re Jewish, Gentile, or modern viewers sitting on a couch halfway across the world, the brilliance of the title is that it collapses time.

It reminds us that the idea of being chosen is not just historical but also deeply personal.

Jonathan Roomie: The Actor Who Played Jesus

At the center of that story is Jonathan Roomie, the actor who plays Jesus.

For many fans, Roomie has become the defining face of Christ in popular media.

His gentle humor, warm smile, and ability to balance compassion with authority has resonated far beyond the usual faith-based audience.

What many don’t know is that The Chosen isn’t the first time Roomie has stepped into this role.

Before Dallas Jenkins, the series creator, cast him, Roomie had already portrayed Jesus in smaller productions, one of them a short film by Jenkins himself.

These earlier performances weren’t widely known, but they caught the director’s attention and convinced him that Roomie could carry the weight of an entire multi-season series.

What’s fascinating about Roomie’s casting is how unlikely it was.

Unlike Hollywood A-listers, Roomie wasn’t a household name.

He had considered giving up acting altogether before the role came along.

This mirrors the very theme of the show.

God doesn’t always choose the obvious candidates.

Just as fishermen and tax collectors became the foundation of Christianity, an actor who nearly walked away from the industry ended up portraying one of the most recognizable figures in history for millions.

Breaking Barriers: Representation and Inclusivity

The Chosen isn’t just about who plays Jesus.

It’s also about how the disciples are portrayed.

Take Matthew, for example.

Dallas Jenkins made a bold choice in depicting him as a man on the autism spectrum.

Historically, there’s no record in scripture that Matthew had autism, but the creative decision adds dimension to his meticulous nature.

Anyone who reads the Gospel of Matthew can see how detailed and precise it is compared to the other Gospels.

This choice has had a significant impact on viewers, particularly those on the spectrum or those who love someone with autism.

Instead of being on the outside, they can imagine sitting at the table with Jesus, fully accepted.

It’s a reminder that Christ’s invitation has never been limited to the perfect or socially accepted.

In fact, scripture itself shows us that Jesus gravitated toward those whom society overlooked.

Another powerful example of representation is Little James, portrayed by Jordan Walker Ross, who lives with cerebral palsy and scoliosis in real life.

When he auditioned, Jenkins didn’t realize Ross walked with a limp, but instead of hiding it, the director made Ross’ disability a visible part of his character.

This created a deeply human story as Little James wrestles with the question of why Jesus heals others but not him.

In today’s world, where conversations about inclusion and disability are more urgent than ever, The Chosen connects a 2,000-year-old narrative to modern struggles.

It says to viewers, “You too are seen.

You too are chosen.”

Behind-the-Scenes Struggles

Every successful series has its share of behind-the-scenes turbulence.

But few embody the unpredictability of The Chosen.

For a show that has touched audiences so deeply, it’s almost ironic how close it came to collapsing before it could even gain momentum.

One of Jesus’s most familiar disciples, James, the son of Zebedee, has been portrayed by three different actors.

Initially, Shay and Soian played Big James, but as his career took off in mainstream television, Keon Kavi stepped in during the second half of season one.

However, due to family health issues, Keon had to leave, and eventually, Abe Martell stabilized the role.

While some fans may not have noticed, others questioned the constant recasting of such an important disciple.

This reshuffling of roles highlights the reality of independent productions.

Unlike big-budget studios, The Chosen has had to balance flexibility, personal challenges, and the uncertainties of a crowdfunded schedule.

Instead of being a liability, this reshuffling reveals something about the show’s DNA: it thrives on imperfection.

Like the gospel stories themselves, where different personalities came and went in unexpected ways, The Chosen has had to adapt, evolve, and press forward.

The Global Reach of The Chosen

While many might assume the actors are exclusively American or British, The Chosen has drawn talent from around the world.

One standout example is Lara Silva, who plays Eden, the wife of Simon Peter.

Silva was born in Brazil and moved to the United States as a child, pursuing acting before finding herself in a project that would resonate across continents.

For Brazilian fans, seeing one of their own on-screen in a series about Jesus has been a source of pride and it underscores the global reach of the production.

Silva’s background is just one of many examples of how the series has become a worldwide phenomenon, touching hearts from every corner of the globe.

In conclusion, The Chosen is far more than just a retelling of biblical stories.

It’s a series that breaks barriers, challenges preconceived notions, and opens up conversations about faith, representation, and inclusivity.

By diving into the deeply human side of the gospel, it connects audiences to a 2,000-year-old narrative in a way that’s never been done before.

The Chosen isn’t just a show—it’s a movement that’s reshaping faith-based storytelling for the 21st century.