After wrapping up a moving portrayal of the Crucifixion for its sixth season in Italy, the cast of The Chosen visited the Vatican in a moment of profound gratitude and spiritual unity. Jonathan Roumie, who plays Jesus, and series creator Dallas Jenkins reflected on the show’s mission to bring Jesus to a modern audience, building bridges between denominations and generations. Their meeting with Pope Leo XIV and a screening of Season 5 highlighted The Chosen’s growing global influence. Fans can expect an emotional, authentic continuation in Season 6, inspired by a commitment to sharing the Gospel’s transformative message.

The Origin of The Chosen and Its Mission

The Chosen was born from a bold desire to retell the life of Jesus through a human-centered lens, showing His compassion and struggles in a way that resonates with viewers today. Created in 2017 by Dallas Jenkins, the series broke new ground as the first multi-season show about the life of Christ, funded almost entirely by crowdfunded supporters. Jenkins, son of Left Behind co-author Jerry B. Jenkins, combined his evangelical roots with a filmmaker’s eye for authenticity. His hope was to bring Jesus beyond the stained-glass windows of tradition and into a relatable, living story that could touch hearts around the world.

From Jenkins’ Biography to Season Five’s Powerful Stories

Jenkins, who grew up immersed in biblical storytelling through his father’s best-selling Christian novels, felt called to use modern media to awaken a new generation to the truth of the Gospels. Season 5 of The Chosen takes on some of the most dramatic and beloved stories of Holy Week, including the cleansing of the Temple, Judas’ betrayal, the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper. Jenkins explained that making these well-known moments feel fresh, while still grounded in Scripture, is central to his mission. Fans worldwide, including Catholics, evangelicals, and seekers alike, are expected to stream the season in July, drawn by its powerful retelling of Jesus’ final days before the cross.

Season Six: Crucifixion Filming and the Cast’s Reflections

The transition from Season 5’s triumphs to Season 6’s devastating Crucifixion scenes brought the entire production team into a space of prayer and humility. Filmed over three intense weeks in Matera, the same Italian town used for The Passion of the Christ, the cast and crew described it as their most challenging and transformative work yet. Jonathan Roumie admitted he tried not to dwell on the Crucifixion until they had to film it, choosing instead to focus on Jesus’ living ministry. Dallas Jenkins told journalists that filming those scenes forced him to surrender completely to Christ, a lesson in personal faith as much as artistic dedication. Their hope is that Season 6 will show viewers a Jesus who suffered fully as a human yet loved completely as God, offering grace and redemption to all.

A Historic Pope Visit After Filming

Shortly after filming wrapped, Roumie, Jenkins, and other cast members, including Elizabeth Tabish (Mary Magdalene), George Xanthis (John the Apostle), and Vanessa Benavente (Mother Mary), traveled to Rome. During a press conference at the Vatican’s Filmoteca, they previewed Season 5, Episode 4, and reflected on how The Chosen has changed lives around the world. Roumie called their invitation to visit the Vatican a “humbling honor,” and shared his emotion about meeting Pope Leo XIV, an American pontiff whom he never imagined he would see in his lifetime. Jenkins added that standing in the Vatican among centuries of religious art made him feel even more strongly that Jesus must be seen as more than just a painting, but as a living Savior who had real relationships and suffered for humanity. The gathering felt like a moment of divine confirmation that their mission is resonating deeply.

You can see some of the coverage here: Link 1

Watch more interviews here: Link 2

Explore a Vatican discussion here: Link 3

Catch another moment here: Link 4

Takeaway: Faithfulness, Authenticity, and an Invitation to Hope

From its first episode to the intense filming of the Crucifixion and a powerful audience with the pope, The Chosen has shown extraordinary dedication to faith, history, and storytelling. The cast, crew, and supporters have stayed true to a mission of authenticity for six seasons, even in the face of enormous creative and spiritual challenges. That faithfulness deserves admiration, and it calls every viewer to look beyond surface understandings of their own beliefs. Whether you share the faith of these actors or not, their devotion encourages us all to learn more about what we think we know — and to discover something new from the story of Jesus and His followers. As The Chosen continues to grow, may audiences hear the message with fresh enthusiasm, hope, and courage to explore a faith that is different, deeper, and alive.

“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood.” — Marie Curie