(Updated 04/07/2025)
Surprising but true: THE CHOSEN is the first multi-season series about the life of Jesus Christ. Not only that, but it is among the very few TV series to cross the barrier between television and streaming. THE CHOSEN has built a big-screen presence over the last few years, and the new fifth season—LAST SUPPER—is premiering entirely in movie theaters.
Perhaps the success of THE CHOSEN should not be a surprise. The series tells one of the most fundamental stories and does so through character-driven storytelling that offers a unique perspective on the Gospels while staying true to their teachings. Created by Dallas Jenkins, this crowd-funded phenomenon has grown from humble beginnings to become a global sensation with millions of viewers around the world.
Now THE CHOSEN: LAST SUPPER is set for three weekends, from March 28 to April 11. Watch the trailer, and we'll look at how the series grew into a major event.
The Origins of The Chosen
The series began with a short film Jenkins created for his church's Christmas Eve service in 2017. The positive reception to that short, "The Shepherd," which depicted the nativity story through the eyes of a disabled shepherd, inspired Jenkins to expand the concept into a full series.
Jenkins' vision was to create a show that portrayed Jesus and his followers as fully human, relatable figures while maintaining biblical authenticity. It's difficult to create a multi-season adaptation while staying true to Scripture because the Bible only relates so much of what people said at the time.
So there's a lot of invention. As Jenkins told the Christian Post in 2023, "probably 95 percent of the content of the show isn’t directly from Scripture. People call it a Bible show; they’ll call it a Jesus show. And I’m OK with that, but I’ll say, ‘This is actually — I mean the Bible is for sure the primary source of truth and inspiration for the show, but there’s a ton of content that isn’t actually directly from Scripture.'"
Character-Driven Storytelling
Unlike previous biblical adaptations that compress Jesus's ministry into a feature-length format, "The Chosen" takes its time developing the characters surrounding Jesus, including his disciples, those he encounters, and even those who oppose him.
Jenkins has noted, "We're not changing Scripture, but we are filling in the gaps and backstories with historical and cultural context to support Scripture." This approach allows viewers to experience familiar biblical stories with fresh eyes, as they witness events through the perspectives of characters like Matthew, Mary Magdalene, Nicodemus, and others.
It Has Global Impact
Since its 2019 debut, "The Chosen" has been translated into dozens of languages and viewed in every country in the world. Its app has been downloaded millions of times, and the show has developed a passionate fan base that actively promotes the series through word of mouth.
"People don't feel like they're being preached at; they feel like they're being invited into a story," Jenkins told The Atlantic in 2021, when speaking about the show's appeal to both religious and secular audiences. This accessibility has helped the series transcend typical faith-based entertainment boundaries.
Looking Forward
As the series progresses through its planned seven seasons, the creators continue to navigate the challenges of adapting biblical narratives while maintaining artistic freedom and theological responsibility.
"We're trying to create the most plausible, authentic portrayal of the life of Christ ever put on screen," Jenkins has said about the show's ongoing mission. This balance between creative storytelling and scriptural fidelity remains central to the series' approach.
THE CHOSEN represents a significant innovation in how biblical stories can be told through modern media. By focusing on character development, historical context, and high production values—all while maintaining accessibility through its free distribution model—the series has created a new template for faith-based entertainment that resonates with diverse audiences worldwide.
As Jenkins has reflected, "The idea that you can binge-watch the story of Jesus, and that his followers become your friends... that's something I believe God is using to impact the world."
THE CHOSEN: LAST SUPPER - PART THREE opens on April 11.
All images courtesy of Fathom Events.