Why People Crave THE CHOSEN’s Message: An Interview with Mary and Lazarus
By Movieguide® Contributor
Actors Demetrios Troy and Catherine Lidstone, who play brother and sister Mary and Lazarus on THE CHOSEN, recently told Movieguide® why people are drawn to the show’s message and what it was like to be on set in Season 4—an emotional experience.
“People are craving this message,” Troy said about why he thinks THE CHOSEN, one of the most watched shows of all time, has such a strong impact on its audience, “and it’s basic human, you know, themes that people connect to and…not to say that there’s no value in…other…art forms or anything like that, but there’s definitely a message that’s been missing, and people want it. They may not know that they want it, but when they see it, they know they’ve been craving it…You have actors and designers and directors…who are bringing their hearts to the screen, and it shows.”
Lidstone agreed: “Yeah, I think it’s just the eternal message of truth is reaching every human who watches it…I used to say this when I first read the Bible from the beginning to the end…I just started to realize every problem you have ever had, every problem you are going through right now, and every struggle you will ever have is already written. We have this beautiful resource that is eternally true.”
Even though the characters in THE CHOSEN lived thousands of years ago, they faced the same problems as people do today.
“It’s like, to know that there’s sort of a road map that we can follow, and there is hope and encouragement in this storyline that just makes you realize, wow, like I could learn something about forgiveness from the character that existed 2,000 years ago that I’m seeing on screen in episode two, right?” Lidstone said.
“It’s like we are constantly affected by the truth and the truth of the human experience,” the actress continued. “So I think that’s really why it just resonates with everybody on Earth who sees it.”
Season 4 features a lot of rough patches that numerous characters have to get through.
“It’s going to be an intense season. It’s…not always going to be perfect and lovely,” Lidstone told Movieguide®. “I think we get to go through some faith-testing challenges this season for a lot of the different characters and storylines. And for Mary of Bethany, I think that season is going to be her beginning to try to understand the complexities of life and loss and what is it to have faith in someone and something you believe to be so powerful, and yet you’re experiencing such travesty.”
Troy added, “There’s a lot of sorrow, a lot of pain, and also a lot of understanding of you know who Jesus is, and you get to see the journey of that understanding of Lazarus and his friend, and also the comradery and love between the loss of Lazarus… to his sisters and you get to see that, how closely knit they are as a family even more than an in Season 3.”
Movieguide® previously reported on Season 4’s “emotional rollercoaster”:
Jonathan Roumie, who portrays Jesus, added, “It’s going to be brutal. What nerve to take our fans on such an emotional rollercoaster.”
Per Screen Rant, “It’s known that the death of John the Baptist will be a part of the next season, as will the build-up towards the Crucifixion and Judas Iscariot’s betrayal. Whether season 4 of THE CHOSEN will include the final days of Christ, however, hasn’t been confirmed, and likely won’t be before the release date.”
…“We know where we’re going,” added Demetrios Troy, who plays Lazarus, “and there is no stopping that.”
This season, the cast and crew had to film the hard scenes first.
“We got right to it in season 4. When we landed, I remember I like traveled on the fourth of July, and then the next day, it was 6 a.m. on set doing heavy emotional scene work, and I would just say the cast made such a space for us, and we were able to live in that world and go through those things together,” Lidsotne said. “And that’s important—just having a supportive cast that helps you tell your best story, and you know, these are all stories, or some of them are stories that we’re very familiar with from scripture, and yeah, it wasn’t easy, but I think we had a beautiful support system.”
Though it was a heavy start, Lidstone appreciates that the hard things were done first so that she could feel more relaxed going into other scenes.
“Our crew worked so hard to make sure that we were surviving these hot days in Utah, and yeah, I just think it was a big emotional journey for a lot of us and we really held space for each other to go on that journey together,” she said.
“I mean, my first day, they threw us into the fire immediately,” Troy agreed. “Like Catherine said, you know the cast really made room for us… It was something that really brings a lot of joy to me.”
The cast eventually got to have fun and loosen up. On Monday, THE CHOSEN’s official Instagram released some light-hearted photos of Troy, Lidstone and their fellow actors on the set with the quip, “Post-resurrection family photo session.”
THE CHOSEN Season 4 is currently showing in theaters until Sunday, March 10. Per The Direct, the date of when the show will begin streaming is yet to be announced.
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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.
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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.
