The Chosen (TV series)

The Chosen is a television drama based on the life of Jesus Christ, created, directed and co-written by American filmmaker Dallas Jenkins. It is the first multi-season series about the life of Christ, and season one was the highest crowd-funded TV series or film project of all time.[1][2] The series' creators stated that they had hoped to distinguish the new series from previous portrayals of Jesus by crafting a multi-season, episode-based story.[3] The series portrays Jesus "through the eyes of those who met him".[4] In addition to VidAngel, the series will be airing on BYUtv.[5]

The Chosen
Logo of the series
GenreHistorical drama
Created byDallas Jenkins
Based onThe life of Jesus Christ
Starring
  • Shahar Isaac
  • Jonathan Roumie
  • Elizabeth Tabish
  • Paras Patel
  • Noah James
  • Nick Shakoour
  • Lara Silva
  • Erick Avari
Country of originUnited States
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes8
Production
Executive producers
  • Derral Eves
  • Matthew Faraci
  • Dallas Jenkins
  • Ryan Swanson
Producers
  • Chad Gundersen
  • Justin Tolley
CinematographyAkis Konstantakopoulos
EditorJohn Quinn
Production companies
  • The Chosen Productions
  • VidAngel Studios
DistributorVidAngel
Release
Original releaseDecember 24, 2017 (2017-12-24) –
present
External links
Production website

Overview

The first episode begins in AD 26 in Capernaum, where we meet Sanhedrin member and Pharisee Nicodemus touring the region, tax collector Matthew, fishermen brothers Simon and Andrew, demon-possessed Mary Magdalene and wandering craftsman Jesus.

The final two seasons of the planned seven season show are intended to chronicle his death and resurrection.[6]

Cast and characters

Main

Recurring

Episodes

Pilot (2017)
No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
–"The Shepherd"Dallas JenkinsTyler Thompson and Dallas JenkinsDecember 24, 2017 (2017-12-24)
While bringing a lamb acceptable for sacrifice to Bethlehem, a shepherd hears the angelic announcement and is witness to the birth of the Lamb of God.

Season 1 (2019)

The first four episodes were released in April and the last four in November 2019.[8]

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1"I Have Called You By Name"Dallas JenkinsDallas Jenkins, Ryan Swanson and Tyler ThompsonApril 21, 2019 (2019-04-21)
Two brothers struggle with their tax debts to Rome while a woman in the Red Quarter wrestles with her demons.
2"Shabbat"Dallas JenkinsDallas Jenkins, Ryan Swanson and Tyler ThompsonApril 21, 2019 (2019-04-21)
Matthew validates Simon's claims with Praetor Quintus, Nicodemus investigates the miracle reported in the Red Quarter, and Mary receives surprise guests at her Shabbat dinner.
3"Jesus Loves the Little Children"Dallas JenkinsDallas Jenkins, Ryan Swanson and Tyler ThompsonApril 21, 2019 (2019-04-21)
Jesus befriends and teaches the group of children who discover His camp on the outskirts of Capernaum.
4"The Rock On Which It Is Built"Dallas JenkinsDallas Jenkins, Ryan Swanson and Tyler ThompsonApril 21, 2019 (2019-04-21)
With his life and family under threat from Rome, Simon spends one last night fishing in a desperate attempt to square his debts. Andrew spots a familiar face waiting for them on the shores of Galilee.
5"The Wedding Gift"Dallas JenkinsDallas Jenkins, Ryan Swanson and Tyler ThompsonNovember 26, 2019 (2019-11-26)
Nicodemus interrogates John the Baptizer while Jesus and his students make their way to a wedding celebration in Cana. When the wine runs low, Mary asks her son to intervene on behalf of the bridegroom's family.
6"Indescribable Compassion"Dallas JenkinsDallas Jenkins, Ryan Swanson and Tyler ThompsonNovember 26, 2019 (2019-11-26)
After witnessing the healing of a leper on the road to Capernaum, a woman forces her paralytic friend through the crowd to meet Jesus.
7"Invitations"Dallas JenkinsDallas Jenkins, Ryan Swanson and Tyler ThompsonNovember 26, 2019 (2019-11-26)
Matthew struggles to reconcile the miracles he has witnessed with reality. Nicodemus meets with Jesus by night.
8"I Am He"Dallas JenkinsDallas Jenkins, Ryan Swanson and Tyler ThompsonNovember 26, 2019 (2019-11-26)
Jesus and His students complete their preparations and leave Capernaum for Samaria. Jesus meets with a suffering woman at Jacob's Well and announces that He is the Messiah.

Themes

The show has an evangelical tendency.[9] Messianic rabbi Jason Sobel, Catholic priest Father David Guffey and Evangelical New Testament professor Dr. Doug Huffman review scripts, including providing facts or context on the biblical, cultural, and socio-political history.[10] The show features many people of color as actors, which is not often the case in television and film based on the Bible.[11][1]

The opening credits of the first episode include the following:

The Chosen is based on the true stories of the gospels of Jesus Christ. Some locations and timelines have been combined or condensed. Backstories and some characters or dialogue have been added.

However, all biblical and historical context and any artistic imagination are designed to support the truth and intention of the Scriptures. Viewers are encouraged to read the gospels.

The original names, locations and phrases have been transliterated into English for anything spoken.[12]

Pilot scripture references
No. Title Scripture Reference(s)
0 The Shepherd Luke 2:1–20

Season 1 scripture references
No. Title Scripture Reference(s)
1 I Have Called You By Name Luke 8:2
2 Shabbat -
3 Jesus Loves the Little Children -
4 The Rock On Which It Is Built Matthew 4:18–22
Mark 1:16–20
Luke 5:1–11
John 1:35–42
5 The Wedding Gift Luke 2:41–52
John 2:1–12
6 Indescribable Compassion Matthew 8:1–4
Matthew 9:1–8
Mark 1:40–2:12
Luke 5:12–26
7 Invitations Numbers 21:4–9
Matthew 9:9
Mark 2:14
Luke 5:27–28
John 3:1–21
8 I Am He Genesis 33:18–20
Matthew 8:14–15
Matthew 9:10–13
Mark 1:29–31
Mark 2:15–17
Luke 4:38–39
Luke 5:29–32
John 4:4–38

Background and production

Development
Dallas Jenkins directs episode 3, season 1 of The Chosen

Jenkins made a short film, The Shepherd, for his church in Elgin, Illinois, U.S., filming it on a friend's farm in Marengo. The film got the attention of the faith-based filtering service VidAngel, which was embroiled in a copyright infringement lawsuit with major Hollywood studios and thus seeking original content to distribute.[13] VidAngel suggested putting the short film on Facebook as a concept pilot to generate interest for Jenkins' idea of a multi-season series. The short film received over 15 million views around the world.[3][14]

To create The Chosen, Jenkins partnered with video marketing strategist Derral Eves, with Eves as executive producer.[5] VidAngel, along with Eves and Jenkins, turned to crowdfunding to raise money to produce the first season, utilizing a provision of the JOBS Act of 2016 which allows companies to use equity crowdfunding to offer a share of ownership and profits from the company to online investors, rather than the arbitrary "perks" offered by regular crowdfunding.[14] At the end of the first fundraising round in January 2019, the project had raised over $10.2 million from over 16,000 investors, surpassing Mystery Science Theater 3000 as the top crowdfunded filmed project. Each investor received equity in the show and is regulated by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).[1][4][11]

Season 2 fundraising had reached over $6 million from over 300,000 investors as of July 1, 2020.[15] Season 2 is currently in production and is expected to be released close to Easter in 2021.[5]

The makers of the series have expressed that they desire for The Chosen to be seen by over one billion people in every country in the world.[16][2]

Seven seasons are planned.[4]

Filming

Season 1 was filmed over 60 days in Weatherford, Texas, and used the existing Capernaum Village, which offers film set rental and live experiences for tourists, to recreate the historical Capernaum. The filming was supplemented by a sound stage and visual effects.[17] Season 2 moved filming to Utah's version of ancient Israel in Goshen, Utah County, where The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints built a replica Jerusalem movie set to film scenes for their Bible and Book of Mormon videos.[18] This marks the first time a production not affiliated with the LDS church has been granted access to film on this set.[19]

Release

The first season was distributed on its own mobile app free around the world, as well as the VidAngel streaming platform in the United States.[16] In March and April 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the first season of The Chosen was made available completely free with no restrictions through its app.[1][3]

All eight episodes of Season 1 are airing on BYUtv.[5]

Reception

The series' success is attributed to artistic storytelling and cultural relevance, while staying true to the message of the gospels.[20]

Episode 8 from Season 1 earned two Movieguide Award nominations in 2020.[21]

Season 1 has a 100 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes from eight reviews, and 99 percent from audiences.[8] As of August 2020, it has been viewed nearly 50 million times in 180 countries.[22] It is currently being translated to 70 languages, with priority on translating it into the 10 most common languages.[23]

References
  1. Moore, Evan F. (March 18, 2020). "'The Chosen': Elgin filmmaker wants people to 'Binge Jesus' on an app". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  2. Law, Jeannie (December 13, 2019). "'The Chosen': Record-breaking TV series about Jesus debuts worldwide". The Christian Post. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  3. Carpenter, Chris. "New TV Series The Chosen a Modern Day 'Five Loaves and Two Fish' Story". CBN. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  4. Parke, Caleb (January 7, 2019). "Story about life of Jesus emerges as largest crowdfunded entertainment project in history". Fox News. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  5. Mikita, Carole (October 25, 2020). "Production On Season 2 Of 'The Chosen' Begins In Utah". Salt Lake City, UT: KSL-TV 5. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  6. "SEC". SEC. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  7. Season 1, episode 6 is the first inclusion of Kavousi in the opening credits.
  8. The Chosen: Season 1 at Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  9. Merrick, James (April 9, 2020). "'The Chosen' is a New and Promising TV Series on the Life of Christ". National Catholic Register.
  10. Graves, Jim (May 29, 2019). "Watch 'The Chosen,' the online series on the life of Jesus". Aleteia.
  11. Shepherd, Josh. "Jesus' Life Chosen for Two Very Different TV Series". Christianity Today. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  12. "I Have Called You By Name". The Chosen. Season 1. Episode 1. 00:15 minutes in. BYUtv. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  13. Cullins, Ashley (June 13, 2017). "VidAngel Launches New Platform Amid Studio Legal Battle (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  14. Bond, Paul (January 5, 2019). "Largest-Ever Crowdfunding Campaign for a TV Show Issues Equity to Investors". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  15. Rodrigues, Marilyn (July 14, 2020). "Q@A with The Chosen star Jonathan Roumie". The Catholic Weekly. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  16. Parke, Caleb (December 9, 2019). "Faith-based TV series 'The Chosen' tells the story of Jesus: The start of something 'very special'". Fox News. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  17. Mauch, Rick (October 3, 2019). "'The Chosen' TV series on Christ finds 'perfect' filming location in Weatherford area". Forth Worth Star-Telegram. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  18. Toone, Trent (August 18, 2020). "Creators of VidAngel's 'The Chosen' to film second season in Utah". Deseret News. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  19. Toone, Trent (October 28, 2020). "Why cast and crew of 'The Chosen' love filming in Utah's version of the Holy Land". Deseret News. Salt Lake City, UT. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  20. Carpenter, Chris. "Authenticity of Scripture Paramount to 'The Chosen's' Success". CBN News. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  21. "'The Chosen' Earns 2 Movieguide Award Nominations". CCM Magazine. January 13, 2020. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
  22. Caldwell, Zelda (August 4, 2020). "'The Chosen,' a crowdfunded series about Jesus, gets go ahead for Season Two". Aleteia. Retrieved January 5, 2020.
  23. Warren, Steve (April 3, 2020). "The Good News: VidAngel Extends Free Access Through April, 'The Chosen' Director Invites You to #BingeJesus". CBN News. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
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