The series “The Chosen Ones” has changed lives, notably that of its protagonist, Jonathan Roumie. When he was given the role of Jesus for the series, he was in a bottomless pit. And he cried to heaven, “God, take me away from this.” Now everything is in your hands. I don’t … I’m going to worry.” Three months later, he signed the paper of his life. He trusted and the miracle happened. It must be admitted that “The Chosen” in itself is a miracle. Five seasons, with great reception, created thanks to massive crowdfunding which marked the history of audiovisual production: For the first season, more than 19,000 people donated $11 million, and in the second and third seasons, more than $40 million was raised. Now, after being in theaters, the fifth season arrives on Movistar Plus+.
The series now focuses on one of the most important moments in Jesus’ life, which is now approaching the moment of the passion. In this season, the protagonist and his followers enter the last supper. “When I realize the role I play, I feel like it’s big enough for me. It’s a big responsibility, but I know that at the end of the day there’s a reason I was put in this role and that’s because God has a plan and what He’s doing through the show to impact people’s lives. It’s their territory, not mine. I just have to stay and do my job. He does the rest,” the protagonist recently admitted to ABC.
Until now, the representation of Jesus Christ on screen was limited to specific episodes, such as the crucifixion in Mel Gibson’s The Passion, or to films that only had a few hours to condense his entire public life. The Chosen One offers a different approach: it tells the life of Christ from his first appearance as an adult until, in this fifth season, the Last Supper before his death. Many hours of filming are devoted not only to telling his story, but also that of those who left everything to follow him. “It’s the humanity that makes this so striking. We tackle topics like addiction, infertility, suffering, things you don’t expect from a series like this. These are powerful and universal stories. When, in the series, I had to acknowledge that Jesus had grown up and no longer needed me, I received many messages from parents who had felt the same way with their children. It’s surprising that there are parents who see themselves reflected in Jesus’ mother,” said Vanessa Benavente, who plays the Virgin Mary.
Since the premiere of the series, the fan phenomenon has grown to the point of triggering real madness. Thousands of faithful have supported this phenomenon, which began with a small “crowdfunding” to austerely follow the life of Jesus until it became a complete biography of this character and those around him. For some, as this newspaper recently admitted at its premiere in Spain, it has “truly changed their lives”. Some curious people approached the series out of “simple curiosity” and ended up being “followers” of Jesus.
The keys to your success
One of the keys to its success lies in the humanity that the story exudes. Here, the lives of the disciples are not clothed in constant solemnity. An insecure Pedro appears, eager to lead but embarrassed after a speech that doesn’t go as he expected; disoriented disciples, who first cry euphorically at Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, dreaming of the arrival of the Messiah, and who cry a few days later without fully understanding the master’s words. This human dimension is what created a bond between the spectators and the characters, and also what provoked the rejection of certain critics, who see in this vision a Jesus “too human or soft”. “We are not aware of any praise or criticism. If you like the series, great; and otherwise, I understand you… even if you’re crazy,” Shahar Isaac, who plays Pedro, commented with a laugh.
This fifth part prefigures a Christ who looks with pain at his people, who has not understood his words, and whose pulse does not tremble as he rebukes those who have transformed the house of God into a marketplace. Also, telling the truth about who they are to those who promise, like Pedro, loyalty until death. And the humanity of Christ may scandalize, but it is also the reason why more than 600 million viewers came to see “The Chosen”.
About The Author
