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TOGETHER MAY – JUNE 2022

FEATURE BOOK FEATURE The Chosen

Rhoda Hardie speaks to the producer Katherine Warnock.

In a recent feature in The Spectator, Krish Kandiah that we – watching the show today - are also the
described The Chosen as ‘probably the most
successful TV show you have never heard of.’ The that we might know everlasting life.’
largest crowd-funded media project of all-time, chosen. God chose to give His only son for us,
One of the impressive things about the impact
The Chosen is a ground-breaking multi-season of The Chosen has been its ability to break down
television series about the life of Jesus and barriers of language, culture and age. In a recent
His followers. The series has had almost 400 interview, Dallas Jenkins recalled a Chinese
million views in over 160 countries worldwide family who watched the show in English before
and has been translated into fifty-six languages a Chinese language version was available, yet
and counting, with The Chosen app consistently seemed to understand the dialogue, even though
ranked in the top fifty entertainment apps on IoS they didn’t know any English. Children as young
and Android.
as seven have been captivated by the series,
The first season of The Chosen was released in while people who have been Christians for forty
the US in 2019; the second season was released years or more have said that it has brought the
on Easter Sunday 2021. DVDs of both seasons are Bible and the character of Jesus to life for them
now available in the UK along with eight session in new ways. Among the many stories of people
small group study guides for seasons 1 and 2 whose lives have been changed by the series is
(What Does It Mean To Be Chosen? and Blessed a woman who was on the brink of committing
Are The Chosen, published by David C Cook). suicide when a friend sent her a link to the show
– she watched it and, greatly moved, decided that Katherine Warnock
So what is this ground-breaking show which is life was worth living after all.
taking the world by storm? We spoke to producer Our two main goals this year are definitely our
Katherine Warnock about the series’ success and The diversity of faith perspectives among the cast, international markets and territories, and also
the team’s plans for the future. crew and production team behind The Chosen Gen Z, the generation that was born between
(many are non-believers and those who are
‘The goal of The Chosen is to introduce the world Christians span many denominations) reflects the 1997-2012. So we are working out how we can
to the authentic Jesus,’ says Katherine. ‘Our main wide demographic they hope the show will reach, expand The Chosen globally, in terms of growth
goal at the moment is to reach a billion people as Katherine explained. ‘The huge heartbeat and expansion, but also demographically to Gen Z.
with the authentic Jesus, a human Jesus, a behind The Chosen is the goal of being a bridge, So we’re really excited about that. And we have a
relatable Jesus, a playful Jesus.’ The production not only between denominations of Christianity, number of fun projects coming down the pipeline
team plan to make seven seasons of the show, but between differing world views, differing faiths. geared towards Gen Z specifically.’
covering Christ’s three year ministry, His death We want to introduce people to the authentic Tens of thousands of donors gave $10 million
and His resurrection.
Jesus, no matter what your world view is, no through crowdfunding to enable the production
The title of the series has dual significance, as matter what your faith background is. We have of each of the first three seasons of the series
Katherine explained. ‘It’s a historical drama about received testimonies from Hindus and Muslims (over $30 million in total). Season 3 is currently
the life of Jesus, but told through the lives and the telling us how much they love the series.’ in production and the show’s website has regular
lens, so to speak, of those that knew Him best, Catholic actor Jonathan Roumie, who plays Jesus updates on how much of season 4 has already
those whom He chose, those to whom He said, been funded (sixteen per cent at the time of
‘follow me.’ And the greatest message of all is in the series, had worked with director Dallas writing). Money is raised through the option to
Jenkins previously on some short films for Good ‘pay it forward’, where viewers can pay for free
Friday services at Dallas’s church, but never access for at least ten other people to watch
dreamed he would be depicting Jesus to a global the show and contribute towards the funding of
audience on this scale. He says of the role, ‘there future seasons, as well as through the sale of
isn’t any other character that compares to Jesus merchandise, including DVDs, T shirts and books.
– He is just so mystical and yet human and divine What is it about this series which has made people
– how do you wrap your head around that as a want to support it financially? ‘I think what makes
performer?’ Roumie’s solution? ‘I pray a lot!’
The Chosen stand out’, reflects Katherine, ‘is that
Has the success and international appeal of The it is completely authentic, while also disrupting the
Chosen surprised the team behind it? ‘Yes and status quo of how Christian media has been done
no’, replies Katherine. ‘The authentic Jesus is the historically and how mainstream media is executed
most relatable unifying force that has ever existed, today. Every character is so relatable. Every
so that doesn’t surprise us at all. I think seeing the storyline is relevant to someone somewhere in the
growth at such an exponential rate has been what world. And that will continue in season 3. In season
has surprised us the most, to where we’re just 3, we will see a number of storyline threads that
trying to stay faithful to what God has asked us speak to heartbreak and the reality of life today
to do through The Chosen. So we’re trying to just in modern society. And that’s hugely exciting as
keep up with Him and just lean into His wisdom we seek to reach more people around the world
and lean into His strategy. through each season of the show.’
Dallas Jenkins Images used from The Chosen film with permission from Angel Studios
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