THE CHOSEN Character Gives Up Everything, and This Actress Can Relate

Published: April 9, 2025

Amy Bailey, THE CHOSEN Season 5 — Movieguide® Red Carpet Photo

By Kayla DeKraker

THE CHOSEN actress Amy Bailey discussed what it was like playing a character who gives up her lavish and selfish lifestyle for Jesus.

“She’s a Roman lady, and she’s used to a life of privilege, and when she meets Jesus and his followers it’s just a whole new world she never expected,” Bailey said in an interview of her character Joanna, the wife of prominent Roman figure Chuza.

Bailey explained that Joanna faces a similar problem to many people today: she has a lot of material things, but her heart is empty.

“She has prestige, she has wealth and she has agency, but she doesn’t have the things that matter truly, which is deep love, wisdom, a sense of purpose where you’re serving and you’re able to give back,” she said. “Her soul is hurting.”

In THE CHOSEN, Joanna decides to leave it all to follow Jesus. Bailey explained how that scene resonated with her personally.

“There is this amazing scene where Joanna is going to take a leap of faith in every sense of the word. Essentially, I leave my husband, I leave the money, and then now what I felt it in myself that she’s lighter and she’s happier,” she summarized.

Bailey shared her own personal story and revealed that right before she got the role, she had to leave her career and move to Texas to take care of her mother who was ill. She was left uncertain of what the future would hold.

“There’s like a sweetness and a simplicity and a paring down of her way of life that resonates with me. I feel myself shedding some of the angst that I’ve had,” she explained.

When Joanna encounters Jesus and his followers, they welcome her with open arms.

“They could have been like, ‘No you’re Roman you’re not one of us, you’re the enemy.’ And there’s none of that,” Bailey said. “All she gets from Jesus is love and acceptance, and I think it brings her to her knees in a lot of ways. She’s very humbled.”

Her character has changed her life.

“I actually learn from this character’s journey as she sweetens and softens and becomes more at peace,” Bailey reflected. “How can I do that also in my life?”

In a recent photo reel posted to Instagram, Bailey shared stunning photos of the cast and set that was taken by photographer Annie Leibovitz for the show.

“Gratitude for this little show that became a big show,” Bailey wrote in the caption. “Gratitude for my beautiful cast mates and crew. For our wise and grounded production team. For the brilliant @annieleibovitz who created such gorgeous images and who led us to this moment in Times Square.”