The Chosen has found success depicting the life of Jesus Christ on TV — but the show has also taken some liberties with the source material.
“The writers do such a great job of exploring the humanity [of each character] first vs. what they’re known for nowadays,” Joey Vahedi, who plays apostle Thomas on the Prime Video series, told Us Weekly exclusively while reflecting on adapting events from the Bible. “If people were asked who these figures are, they probably automatically think of the stained glass windows that they’ve seen growing up.”
He continued: “But when you actually look at who they were as human beings, Peter is a fisherman who does some not great things. Thomas was trying to make some money and have a successful business. Matthew was someone that’s portrayed as on the spectrum. They come at it from these very human experiences. That’s what makes it so successful. Because people feel like they can relate.”
The historical drama debuted in 2017 and showcases Jesus’ life through the eyes of the people who interacted with him — including his apostles and disciples, Jewish religious leaders, Roman government and military officials and ordinary people.
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In addition to Vahedi, 35, The Chosen stars Jonathan Roumie as Jesus alongside Shahar Isaac, Elizabeth Tabish, Paras Patel, Noah James, George H. Xanthis and more.
While speaking with Us, Vahedi opened up about how his relationship with faith hasn’t wavered since the show’s first season.
“I don’t know if it necessarily has [changed], but I always say if it has affected somebody else in that way — if it’s someone who either was already a person of faith and it’s strengthened that for them or if it’s helped them to look at it differently — I think it is really, really important in today’s day and age,” he explained. “We look at it through what the actual meaning is, which is to love one another and care about one another. Or if it’s had people that watch the show who are not people of faith — which I believe is a third of our audience — it’s great in all of those aspects. If it works for people, it works.”
Vahedi reflected on the unique project, adding, “It’s rare that a show has this much impact on people — and for people that are not people of faith. … I encourage everyone to just look at it as a period piece. One of our producers, I remember he once said to me, ‘People don’t believe in dragons, but they watch Game of Thrones and still enjoy it.’ Same thing with this. It’s just about a group of people who are trying to make a difference in the world and they’re being oppressed while they’re doing it.”
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The actor also explained how filming season 6 was “very different” from past years.
“Things are a little more disjointed in the story and people are starting to panic and not know what’s going on. It’s a scary moment for all the disciples,” he teased.
Season 6 of The Chosen will premiere on November 15 in the U.S. and internationally. Following the first three episodes, the show will air weekly until the season finale, which is a stand-alone theatrical release slated for spring 2027.
“It’s going to be one of the most epic things — cinematically — that we’ve done. … We [might be] coming to the finish line, which makes it bittersweet. Because this has been the greatest gift I could have ever had,” Vahedi told Us. “It’s been such a gift for me to do this. Sometimes chapters do need to come to a close so that way we can appreciate the journey that we went on.”
The Chosen is currently streaming on Prime Video.
