This CHOSEN Actor Didn’t Know Anything About His Role at Audition

Published: April 15, 2026

By Michaela Gordoni

George Harrison Xanthis had no idea he’d be playing John the disciple of Jesus when he auditioned for THE CHOSEN.

“I kind of didn’t even know it was a show about the Bible. I really was not aware…John, I didn’t know was a disciple,” he explained in a recent podcast interview.

He thought he’d be playing John the Baptist.

“Then they said you’re one of the Gospel writers, and then they said John 3:16,” he recalled. “I’m like, you mean, Stone Cold Steve Austin 3:16? Is that who I’m playing?” he joked.

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In another interview, the actor shared about the evolution of his character in Season 5.

“Season 5…So John goes through quite an intense journey. I always say it’s a journey from thunder to love,” Xanthis explained. “We know him as the beloved disciple, but he starts off as a son of thunder.”

“So Season 5 kind of crammed in a lot of emotions into one season,” he said. “I started off very zealous and you know, very passionate, but then John starts listenieng and then he turns into this compassionate disciple and that’s where he kind of ends up at the end of Season 5 and into Season 6, is this disciple who just wants to be there for you, whoever you may be.”

The season came out last year, and the cast and crew have already wrapped filming for Season 6, which will come out on Prime Video on Nov. 15, according to The Arlington Catholic Herald. There will be weekly episodes released through Dec. 6. The season finale will get a stand-alone theatrical release in the spring of next year.

“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’s creator and director. “We realized this not only deserved a season of television but a stand-alone full-length theatrical event as well. We wrote and filmed all of it with this in mind.”

The season will depict Jesus’ crucifixion, which was very difficult for Jesus actor Jonathan Roumie.

“For the first few months afterwards going to Mass — and even thinking about it now — I just get weepy. I get emotional. It’s hard. It’s left an indelible impression on me — mentally and emotionally sharing even just a percentage, a micron of a percentage, of the Lord’s passion; playing it and reenacting it has left me absolutely humbled and moved,” Roumie said earlier this year.

Movieguide® highly praises THE CHOSEN and has given it multiple Teddy Bear Awards®.

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