Why THE CHOSEN Succeeds in Secular Spaces
By Movieguide® Contributor
THE CHOSEN’s creator Dallas Jenkins recently talked about the future of the show and how he will approach the upcoming seasons.
As season 4 of THE CHOSEN nears and Jesus’ walk toward Calvary comes one step closer, some fans may be wondering how the show will approach the crucifixion.
Fox News reported, “…the sixth season will center entirely around Jesus’ crucifixion while the seventh and final season focus on the aftermath.”
While Jenkins has not yet decided on how he will approach the cross, he does feel some freedom on the matter thanks to previous faith-based projects.
“I do think that because of previous Jesus stories, particularly THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST or even some of the ones that aren’t very good or are very boring, the existence of these does give us a certain freedom to break out,” Jenkins told Deadline. “When we get to the crucifixion, I don’t have to make it a bloodbath because Mel [Gibson] did it better than I ever could.”
“If I just showed the faces of the disciples watching the crucifixion, that will be emotionally and spiritually devastating,” he continued. “I believe I have more tools at my disposal than Mel did because I’ll have done multiple seasons of this. I’m no trying to compete with anybody else.”
This lack of competition is something that Jenkins has been aware of throughout the process of creating THE CHOSEN. However, rather than allowing the quality to slip because of it, he finds different sources of motivation to spur himself on.
“We have seen over and over again that audiences that don’t traditionally consider this type of entertainment are moved and loving the show as a historical drama,” he explained. “So you are not required to be Christian to watch this show.”
The director previously explained why THE CHOSEN has found so much success:
“The thing that makes it different…you see Jesus laughing with his friends, you see him dancing with his friends at a wedding. You see the disciples and even the enemies of Jesus as real human beings with lives and struggles and questions and doubts, dealing with the same issues that we’re dealing with today,” he said.
“The thing that makes it different…you see Jesus laughing with his friends, you see him dancing with his friends at a wedding. You see the disciples and even the enemies of Jesus as real human beings with lives and struggles and questions and doubts, dealing with the same issues that we’re dealing with today,” he said.
“It allows us to stand out even in these arenas that are outside of the faith space,” Jenkins continued. “When you’re on Amazon, Peacock, Netflix and The CW and there’s nothing like it, people will go, ‘Oh, this is different. This is unique.’ I want art to have diversity. So I think that that does help us.”
THE CHOSEN has also benefitted from a partnership with Lionsgate which has helped it become more widely distributed, especially within secular spaces. While some may be worried about the show working with a Hollywood studio, Jenkins is adamant that his commitment to telling a story faithful to the Bible will never change.
“If a Hollywood studio ever has influence over our content, that would be dangerous and could potentially impact the accuracy or authenticity of the stories that we’re telling,” he said. “There is a segment of our audience that feels like they’ve been burned in the past [by Hollywood studios].”
“That said,” he continued, “anyone who believes that a distributor helping get this content out to more people is a bad or dangerous things, is being ignorant and selfish. Anyone who believes that this content is actually good should be cheering for that fact that Lionsgate is our partner. They’re getting this content into areas where it might not normally be.”
“I have no ears for anyone who believes spreading this show out to the world is somehow a bad thing,” he added.
Season 4 of THE CHOSEN will be available early next year, with the first three episodes releasing in theaters starting February 1.
Movieguide® previously reported on THE CHOSEN:
THE CHOSEN actor Abe Bueno-Jallad, who plays Big James, is sharing his thoughts on the “movement” the show has started in Hollywood.
“I really do believe that it’s a piece of entertainment that anybody can watch and be impacted on and that’s why it’s doing so well,” the actor said on the “Good Agency” podcast.
Bueno-Jallad continued, “There is an entertainment component where we have to find the gray area from scripture, from history, to create this entertainment, and I think we do a pretty darn good job of it. I think the perspective that we have and the way that we tackle certain things is something that hasn’t been done before…I can see that the industry has eyes on us because we’re doing something. We started a real movement.”
The actor pointed out that THE CHOSEN is “changing the conversation” when it comes to what Hollywood is giving audiences.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
