LOS ANGELES – “Honestly, no, but a girl can dream,” quipped Elizabeth Tabish, who plays Mary Magdalene in “The Chosen,” the global hit biblical drama series, when asked if she had ever dreamt or imagined that someday, she would play the woman sometimes known as the Beloved Disciple.
I was on a soundstage in Midlothian, Texas, less than an hour’s drive from Dallas-Fort Worth, where the historical drama based on the life of Jesus is filmed. The series, created by Dallas Jenkins, is watched by over 300 million in many countries, including the Philippines.
This 1,200-acre property, which 5&2, the production company behind the series, leased from The Salvation Army, is perfect for the show’s biblical stories. There’s a lake that doubles for the Sea of Galilee and is also used as a backdrop for fishing villages and boat sequences, with the help of green screens and visual effects.
On this vast property called Camp Hoblitzelle, the production has all the locations it needs to evoke Jerusalem, the apostles’ homes, a desert, hillside and vineyards. Replicas of biblical settings, from Capernaum to Jericho, dot the area.
And there are huge air-conditioned tent structures housing soundstages, costume departments, and dedicated spaces for the cast, including the hundreds of extras, hair and makeup.
Cast interview
On this media set visit last August, as the cast and crew filmed the highly anticipated Season 6, which premieres this November, we got to interview some of the actors aside from Tabish – Jonathan Roumie (Jesus), Shahar Isaac (Simon Peter), George H. Xanthis (John), Paras Patel (Matthew), Noah James (Andrew), and Vanessa Benavente (Mother Mary).
Asked the same question, Benavente answered, “No, I never thought I would (play Mother Mary). But my birthday is on December the 8th and that is the day of the Immaculate Conception. So there’s some kind of whoa…”
Roumie replied, “I never thought I’d play Jesus for a living. It’s been awesome.”
“It was definitely not on the Paras Patel life bingo card, for sure,” Patel bantered. “I would say it’s been pretty cool to be in this experience, playing a biblical character and really learning. I’ve been learning a lot myself from it, so it’s an amazing journey.”
“Yeah, absolutely not expected,” said Isaac, looking like a rock star (he does sing and play guitar and bass in real life), apt for someone portraying the apostle named “the Rock” by Jesus himself.
Said Xanthis: “I actually have an interesting story of doing this indie movie. It was just so long ago when I played this prophetic person named John and his name was John of Patmos. He was foretelling the end of the world. And I had no idea what it meant.
“Then years later, I end up on ‘The Chosen.’ I start to put all the pieces together like, I think I was playing the disciple John back then. And yeah, it’s strange how I’ve been linked to this person inadvertently for quite a while, but getting to play this real life human being on this show has been life changing.”
James, for his part, pointed out, “Funny, in my family, my brothers and I are named David, Adam, Noah and my sister is Rebecca. So in some ways, we were set up for this. But no, I had no idea. I think my grandparents still think it’s funny that I play one of the disciples.”
On whether the actors have had memorable encounters with “The Chosen” fans just based on their roles, Benavente, who plays the Blessed Virgin Mary, one of the most revered biblical figures, said, “I’ve had a few people come up to me and go like, I know you’re not her but it’s like the next best thing, or something like that. And I’m like, okay. But I try to remind people that I’m just an actor. I’m just lucky to be playing her.
“It’s amazing the power that television has where we tell stories. People are watching it day after day. And they build this connection with these characters.”
“Just playing this character and the fact that it has such an impact on people,” Roumie said. “It has been really extraordinary just to see how the show has affected people in ways that I never imagined.
“It affected their relationships with God and their families and all sorts of things. So that’s been pretty memorable for me.”
“There have been so many representations of her over the years,” Tabish said about Mary Magdalene, who is one of the most misunderstood figures in Christian history, no thanks to medieval legends. The Vatican went to the extent of officially clarifying that she was not a prostitute.
In 2016, Pope Francis honored Mary Magdalene as Apostle to the Apostles, for being the first to witness Christ’s resurrection.
“I was actually surprised when I first read the script,” Tabish admitted. “I didn’t know that she was possessed by demons, that Jesus had exorcised them.
“That whole storyline was completely new to me, but it is in the Bible. So I was really impressed by the fact that the writers started with something so bold and with someone’s life before they met Jesus to see this transformation occur.
“I just appreciate how they show what growth looks like over the course of all of these seasons, what that looks like for someone and the patience that it requires.
“We get to see who she was, who she becomes and ultimately, what we know her as, which is the first person who gets to see Jesus resurrected. It’s such a special story.”
For Isaac, “It helped to see my character more as a human being living in this era and not think about the meaning of who this human being is to so many people.
“So almost trying, especially in the beginning, to forget anything that I have ever heard about it or knew about it, and just focus on the character and what’s on the page and the story. So we can try to create complex human beings rather than figures that people have such a clear idea about.
“With the help of the incredible writing of this writing team, Dallas Jenkins, Tyler Thompson and Ryan Swanson, it just kind of followed that map and I tried to forget anything that I know.”
What to expect for Season 6
As to what to expect in this penultimate season, Prime Video offered this logline: “The hour has come. Before the sun sets, Jesus of Nazareth will be dead. Season 6 captures the historic events of Jesus’ final day through the lives of those who love Him – and those who condemn Him.
“Pharisees call it justice. Romans call it peace. Followers call it murder. But in the face of loneliness and death, Jesus stands resolute in his plan that has always led to one place: the cross. ‘The Chosen’ Season 6 reveals how Jesus’ final hours changed the world forever.”
“Everyone knows the basics of this part of the story, but not everyone knows the ‘why’ of the crucifixion and the extraordinary events of these 24 hours,” said Dallas Jenkins, “The Chosen” creator, director and co-writer, in a statement. “We realized this not only deserved a season of television but a standalone full-length theatrical event as well. We wrote and filmed all of it with this in mind.”
“That’s the beauty of ‘The Chosen,’ ” Patel said. “I feel that even though everybody knows the story and how it ends, there’s still this balance, this tension of the unknown in every story that everybody knows, and telling it from an unexpected angle.
“One of the things that people will see in this season is that it’s not what you expected. It’s not what you think. I think whenever there’s something that people expect, there’s a way for the writers to go through it in a quicker way and then expand on other things.
“So yeah, that’s the work of the fantastic writers that we have. And this season is no different.”
Patel added, “This show really shows human emotions and makes it more real in that way, that you are going to probably visualize yourself relating to how the disciples and other followers experience this moment. That’s just going to make it a greater experience for you to watch and witness with our upcoming season.”
“This entire season takes place over the course of 24 hours,” Tabish said about the six-episode season. “And so it’s really interesting to see moment by moment this part of the story unfolding from so many different perspectives.
“So there’s a lot of surprise, disbelief and shock that we go through instead of it just being a constant storyline of pain and grief. It’s also a lot of hope, and everyone’s pursuing something to keep this from happening.”
Global phenomenon
“The Chosen” is a global phenomenon, considered one of the most-watched independent TV series in history. The Philippines reportedly ranks third globally in viewership, outside of the U.S., Brazil, and Mexico.
“First of all, that’s lovely to hear,” Patel reacted. “Both of us (he and Isaac) would be very happy to go visit the Philippines and see it for ourselves. Mabuhay, Philippines!”
On why he thinks “The Chosen” resonates around the world, Patel said: “It’s just telling a story from a human point of view. And it allows you to relate more to it because it’s adding, through creative backstory, more richness to the story. And the scripture.
“So it’s just making it more real, like you’re seeing Matthew, someone who is going through life feeling not seen or not being respected. A lot of us can relate to things like that. So when you can see yourself in a character, you relate to it a little more and it becomes closer to you.”
On why “The Chosen” is clicking with global streaming viewers, Isaac said: “The obsession with the truth. Maybe our obsession with the writing and trying to create something that feels maybe authentic, real and truthful. Maybe that’s something that draws people in.
“Because there’s no manipulation with the storytelling in this production. Dallas is not trying to convince you how to think. It doesn’t try to draw you to any certain direction. He’s just trying to create the most complex and interesting drama that he can create.
“Because it’s made in such a pure way. It’s not necessarily trying to guide you to a certain place. That leaves room for people to find themselves in the character. And that’s the fascinating thing.
“That’s what I’ve been hearing the most. People relate on a very personal and deep level with the characters because they see themselves in them.”
Xanthis also reflected on why the series will continue to be a major hit, especially Season 6. “Everybody has seen a version of the events of the crucifixion. What sets our show apart is that there are five seasons of context. Why do those five seasons feel like context? It’s because it’s been about human relationships.
“We’re not just seeing Jesus, Son of God, up on the cross. We’re seeing our best friend, our son, our mentor, all these things. And there are moments in Season 1 when Jesus is dancing with the disciples. I think Mother Mary is there as well. At the wedding at Cana. And we’re having a great time.
“And the context is that the person who was most likely having these fun moments with all of these disciples and also teaching them is now in this really tragic situation. What makes that more relatable is the fact that all of these people who are in the Scripture and whom we only know as names now have real-life human emotions and personalities.
“I think that’s what people have related to because everybody has a personality. Sometimes you feel like a bit of an Andrew or a bit of a John, or like Mary Magdalene one day. I think that’s what’s made it so successful.”
James commented, “First and foremost, ‘The Chosen’ is really about authenticity. It’s really about showing what it would actually be like to live 2000 years ago in these circumstances. And this is the one day, the short amount of time, that we see Jesus going through what he goes through.
“It is an opportunity for audiences to really put themselves in our characters’ shoes and in his shoes and really see what the unbearable circumstances are that all of these characters are going through. What would that be like, to truly ask yourself that question?”
Benavente remarked, “There’s a lot of things. I think the focus on the humanity of these characters, how they started, against how they ended up. And you see in churches and you learn about them when they were at their most saint-like.
“But you forget the teachers and the faith leaders that they became. You forget that they had to start somewhere. And that journey is so rich and inspiring.
“I would never be able to be like them. But if you see their journey, the falls, the getting up again and the trying again, that journey is the part where you go, I can do this. This is the part I can do. I don’t know if I’ll get there, but I can do this.
“That, mixed with the humor – our writers are just masters at combining the two, the tears and the laughter. I think that is what is also beautiful in this series.
“And the fact that we touch upon a lot of subjects that you don’t expect in a show like neurodivergence, addiction, infertility – just a whole lot of things that you associate with a more modern lifestyle. They were all true probably 2000 years ago just as much as they are now.”
A chance to be an extra
A few days before the set visit, the participating journalists were offered a chance to be extras in the show. I immediately had visions of stealing the scene from the leads, maybe even Jesus himself.
But alas, before I could even prepare to raise my eyebrow exaggeratedly or flail my arms to steal scenes, this email came: “The production schedule changed, so we aren’t able to have anyone participate as extras. But you’ll still be able to go through a costume experience — choose your costume, dress up, and take photos and video.”
With my acting hopes dashed, I did the next best thing – mug in a tunic and sandals beside costume designer Leila Heise, who has the challenging task of dressing the cast, guest actors, and hundreds of extras and handling thousands of costume pieces.
“The Chosen,” which will tackle the resurrection in the final season, also stars Abe Bueno-Jallad (Big James), Luke Dimyan (Judas), Richard Fancy (Caiaphas), Paul Ben-Victor (King Herod) and Andrew James Allen (Pontius Pilate).
Season 6 premieres on November 15, exclusively on Prime Video, with three episodes available on premiere day and one new episode released weekly through December 6. The new season culminates in “The Chosen Crucifixion,” a feature film exclusively in theaters on March 12, 2027.
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