The Passion of ‘The Chosen’: Dallas Jenkins on Why Fans Must Tune in for the Crucifixion Season

The Chosen: Crucifixion

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How did we get here? When The Chosen debuted in 2019, it was a small, crowdfunded series shot in Texas. Its scripts were lovingly written (and rewritten) by creator Dallas Jenkins, who reportedly worked frequently into the late hours of the night. The show’s concept came after Jenkins’ 2017 film, The Shepherd, a modest production shot for his church’s Christmas Eve service, gained traction online.

“The Chosen was born out of failure,” Jenkins once told us, as his last box office film before The Shepherd had flopped.

It wasn’t until the summer of 2023 that TV Guide Magazine took notice of the Bible-based series about Jesus (Jonathan Roumie) and His followers. That July, as the show was rapidly gaining followers and on the precipice of a three-season broadcast debut on The CW, we put it on our cover for the first time. And we learned firsthand how much fans love this show. Now, entering its sixth, penultimate installment, The Chosen is an international phenomenon that’s broken Guinness World Records, has a home on shiny streamer Prime Video, and multiple theatrical releases under its rope belt. Over 308 million viewers and more than 35 million social media followers are enamored with the series.

Fans across the globe gather yearly for ChosenCon, which takes place in a different U.S. city each year. Jenkins has launched the successful 5&2 Studios, which oversees not only The Chosen but a host of other Bible-based drama series. The Chosen‘s sixth season is on the horizon, and its anticipated seventh and final round, which will show Jesus’ Resurrection, has already wrapped filming.

In this 10-year journey, from The Shepherd to next March’s theatrical release of the Season 6 finale for The Chosen: Crucifixion, Jenkins and his crew have seen many budget, cast, and production changes. But what’s stayed the same is the love and dedication they have put into crafting a prestige drama about the life of Jesus and His followers. Even offscreen, many of the stars, like No. 1 on the callsheet, Roumie, are believers who use their status for public ministry and charitable outreach. Yet, Roumie’s Jesus of Nazareth, who would wink at His followers, make tongue-in-cheek jokes, offer to sleep in a supposedly haunted bedroom (“Ooh, I’ll take that one!” He hilariously interjects in the beloved Season 2 scene) and dance at weddings…is almost completely gone. In His place is a Jesus who has had to prepare Himself emotionally for what He knows is coming — what He has tried to warn His followers about so many times.

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The Crucifixion is looming over every moment of The Chosen now. But don’t forget, the Resurrection is just around the corner, too. Still, what lies ahead will be heartbreaking — make no mistake. Jenkins said as much on the ChosenCon teal carpet earlier this year: “I can’t shy away from the fact that it’s going to be very painful. But I’ve heard a few people say, ‘Well, I don’t know if I want to watch it; I don’t know if I can go through with it.’ I promise two things: One, you should watch it because you should experience what Jesus went through, but two, there’s many moments of beauty, many moments of joy, of impact. I truly believe it’s going to change people’s lives.”

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'The Chosen' Stars Preview 'Emotional' Crucifixion in Season 6

Why not? The show has changed plenty of lives already, with onscreen disciples admitting on social media how the show has inspired them to pick up their Bible again or return to church. The first three episodes of Season 6 will debut on Sunday, November 15, with the following three episodes airing weekly on Prime Video. On Friday, March 12, 2027, the two-part finale will have its theatrical release across the country.

Roumie reminded us earlier this year that what’s ahead isn’t the end, but a new beginning: “To follow Jesus’ words, I’ll say ‘Do not be afraid.’ Friday will come, but Sunday is just a couple days [away].”

The Chosen, Season 6 Premiere, November 15, Prime Video