It’s been a year of binge watching TV series due to a pandemic keeping us all indoors a lot more than normal. At times it might have felt like there was nothing left to watch, even considering the plethora of options made available to us from the likes of Netflix, Amazon and HBO. If you haven’t watched it already, the latest show to add to your list should absolutely be The Chosen. It’s the first multi-season TV show following the life of Jesus Christ and His disciples, brought to you by filmmaker Dallas Jenkins. And it couldn’t be easier to watch.
You can watch The Chosen via their free app. A Christian app on the one hand, and a gripping entertainment app suitable for the whole family on the other. Whether religious or not, The Chosen’s entertainment factor is high – reflected by its 100% critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes and 9.7 IMDb score – and Jonathan Roumie’s portrayal of Jesus Christ is nothing short of excellent.
You don’t need to have any faith to enjoy the drama for what it is, a series that follows “a charismatic fisherman drowning in debt. A troubled woman wrestling with real demons. A gifted publican ostracized by his family and his people. A religious leader struggling with his beliefs.” However, if you are a person of faith, it’s great to watch such a high caliber production reflect your spirituality and bring you closer to Jesus.
What Sets The Chosen Apart?
The focus is primarily on the high production value and incredible acting here. It has the same level of finesse we’ve come to associate with Hollywood. Instead of the usual Christian productions that are either low budget offerings or have a mocking undertone, The Chosen is a high brow drama.
What’s more, the stereotypical portrayal of Jesus Christ tends to focus on His stoicism and serious work. However, The Chosen sets out to highlight the relatable side of Jesus. As one of the most renowned names out there, synonymous with spirituality and God, Jesus’s humanity is so often overlooked. The Chosen perfectly captures the fun side of Jesus that may not be well documented, but is present in all humans, and in so doing it offers an intimate portrayal that makes Him significantly more relatable than previous productions have ever come close to.
This intimate portrayal elevates how “real” the entire drama feels. We see Jesus’s friends and family, the way He interacted with people outside of just faith, the small everyday activities that made up His life and more. These don’t often make the cut in shorter one-off series or films. It’s also made even more intimate by the simple fact that The Chosen explores the life of Jesus through those who knew or encountered Him, so there’s an added level of personal connection as a result.
The Chosen is also crowdfunded through a ‘Pay it Forward’ campaign that allows fans to contribute to the continuation of the show and a mission they care about at the same time. This is a unique concept for such a critically acclaimed drama, but one that has only proven successful so far. If it means there’s one more good quality TV show out there for us to binge watch on a lazy weekend afternoon, it’s a win win. Season One became the largest crowdfunded TV series or film project ever produced.
