Joshua Bennett
The director of the Christian historical drama series, The Chosen, is Dallas Jenkins. The series is based on the true stories of the gospels of Jesus Christ. It is the first multi-season series about the life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth, primarily set in Judaea and Galilee in the first century. The series depicts Jesus's life through the eyes of the people who interacted with him, including the apostles, disciples, Jewish religious leaders, and ordinary people. The series was launched in 2019 as a media project with the aim of showing Jesus in a new way, and it became the highest crowd-funded project of all time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Dallas Jenkins |
| Religion | Protestant, Evangelical Christian |
| Background | Anti-Catholic circles |
| Previous work | Midnight Clear, What If..., The Resurrection of Gavin Stone |
| The Chosen's 'endgame' | To point people to Jesus, for people to get a deeper connection to Christ and to have a more intimate relationship with him |
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What You'll Learn
- The director of The Chosen, Dallas Jenkins, is Protestant
- The Chosen is not the most biblically accurate telling of Jesus' life
- The series portrays Jesus in a less formal and stiff way
- The series has been criticised for its portrayal of Mary
- The Chosen is the first multi-season series about the life of Christ
The director of The Chosen, Dallas Jenkins, is Protestant
The director of the popular TV drama *The Chosen*, Dallas Jenkins, identifies as Protestant. Jenkins is also the creator and co-writer of the show. The series is based on the life of Jesus Christ and portrays him and those around him in a less formal manner.
Jenkins has been open about his Christian faith and has worked on several Christian feature films. Vertical Church Films, a branch of Harvest Bible Chapel, where Jenkins served as the executive director of Vertical Church Media, has produced four films, including *The Ride* (2012), *Once We Were Slaves* (2014), *The Resurrection of Gavin Stone* (2017), and *The Shepherd* (2017). The latter served as the pilot for *The Chosen*.
Jenkins has also directed two short films and multiple feature-length films, including *Midnight Clear* (2006), *What If...* (2010), and a film adaptation of *The Best Christmas Pageant Ever* (2024).
Despite Jenkins' Protestant background, *The Chosen* has received a positive response from Catholics. Catholic actor Jonathan Roumie, who plays Christ in the series, has stated that his Catholic faith was strengthened by the show. Roumie's portrayal of Jesus has been praised by Catholic viewers, and some Catholic priests have also reviewed the show favourably.
While some Catholics have expressed skepticism about the show due to Jenkins' background and the portrayal of certain characters, others have found that it strengthens their faith and provides a fresh perspective on the life of Jesus. The series has sparked conversations and engagement among Catholics, with many appreciating its focus on the humanity of Jesus and those around him.
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The Chosen is not the most biblically accurate telling of Jesus' life
The Chosen is a television drama based on the life of Jesus Christ. The show is created, directed, and co-written by Dallas Jenkins. While the show has received praise from some Catholic viewers, others have criticized it for not being the most biblically accurate portrayal of Jesus' life.
One critique of the show is its portrayal of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Some Catholic viewers have found the depiction of Mary to be disrespectful and inaccurate, especially in scenes where Jesus asks Mary about his "brothers" and where Mary is shown as a woman with sin. While some viewers acknowledge that the show is not meant to be an exact interpretation of the Bible, they feel that the portrayal of Mary could be more theologically sensitive.
In addition to the portrayal of Mary, some viewers have also found the dialogue in the show to be anachronistic and distracting. The show has also been criticized for not showing enough of the impact Jesus had on people's lives, focusing instead on miracles and Bible verses without exploring the characters' arcs and changes.
The director, Dallas Jenkins, has addressed some of these criticisms, stating that the show aims to portray Jesus and those around him in a more human and less formal way. Jenkins believes that focusing on the humanity of the characters can help viewers connect with Jesus and deepen their relationship with him. He also consulted with Catholic priests and a Messianic Jewish rabbi to ensure theological sensitivity.
While "The Chosen" may not be the most biblically accurate telling of Jesus' life, it has sparked engagement and conversation among Catholic viewers. It has prompted questions about Scripture interpretation and provided a new perspective on Jesus through the eyes of those he chose and changed. Despite its shortcomings, the show has been praised for its artistic representation and for deepening viewers' relationships with Jesus Christ.
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The series portrays Jesus in a less formal and stiff way
The Chosen is a Christian historical drama television series based on the life of Jesus Christ. The series is created, directed, and co-written by filmmaker Dallas Jenkins, who is an evangelical Christian. It is the first multi-season series about the life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth, primarily set in Judaea and Galilee in the first century.
The series emphasizes the human side of Jesus, showing his emotions, interactions, and relationships with those around him. It presents Jesus as someone who laughs, jokes, and has a range of emotions, which may differ from the traditional portrayal of Jesus as more reserved and serious. This portrayal of Jesus as approachable and relatable has been well-received by audiences, who appreciate the series for "feeling so real and human."
The Chosen also provides a unique perspective on Jesus by viewing him through the eyes of those who encountered and followed him, including his apostles, disciples, Jewish religious leaders, Roman officials, and ordinary people. This narrative device allows for a multifaceted exploration of Jesus' life and ministry, offering a more comprehensive understanding of his impact on others.
While some viewers appreciate the series' portrayal of Jesus, others have expressed skepticism, particularly regarding the depiction of Mary and certain theological disagreements. Despite these differences in interpretation, The Chosen has been successful in engaging audiences and sparking conversations about the life and teachings of Jesus.
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The series has been criticised for its portrayal of Mary
The Chosen, a television drama based on the life of Jesus Christ, has sparked controversy among viewers due to its portrayal of Mary, specifically Mary Magdalene. While some viewers appreciate the series' depiction of Mary as a strong and dignified woman, others have criticised it for taking artistic liberties with her character and story arc.
In the series, Mary is portrayed as a victim of significant trauma, including possession by seven demons and a suggestion of rape at the hands of a Roman soldier. Some viewers have criticised the addition of alcoholism and prostitution to Mary's storyline, arguing that there is no evidence to support these assumptions. They believe that her struggles and relapse into old sins, such as drinking, after encountering Jesus are unrealistic and abrupt. The criticism highlights that such a clear-cut and uncomplicated reversal is rarely experienced by victims of trauma and addiction.
However, others defend the portrayal, arguing that it reflects the struggles that many Christians face in their daily lives. They appreciate the series' exploration of Mary's journey and her eventual repentance and forgiveness by Jesus.
The series has also been criticised for its portrayal of the Virgin Mary, with some viewers feeling that her role could have been more emphasised. While some appreciate the heartwarming mother-son moments between Mary and Jesus, others believe that her character could have been more central to the story. There are mixed opinions on whether the portrayal leans more towards a Catholic or Protestant interpretation. Some Catholic viewers feel that the series captures the Catholic understanding of Mary's role in redemption, presenting her as almost a partner to Jesus. On the other hand, some viewers with evangelical Protestant backgrounds perceive Mary's character to be more in line with their understanding, seeing her merely as a vessel.
Overall, while The Chosen has received praise for its portrayal of Mary, it has also faced criticism from viewers who believe that the series takes excessive creative liberties with her character and story arc, especially regarding Mary Magdalene.
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The Chosen is the first multi-season series about the life of Christ
The Chosen is a groundbreaking historical drama based on the life of Jesus Christ. It is the first multi-season series about Christ and the highest crowd-funded TV series or film project of all time. The show has been watched by an estimated 280 million people worldwide, a third of whom are not religious.
The series is created, directed, and co-written by Dallas Jenkins, who made his first independent feature film, Hometown Legend, at the age of 25. In the 20+ years since, he has directed and produced more than a dozen feature and short films for Universal, Lionsgate, Pureflix, Hallmark, and Amazon. The Chosen is based on the true stories of the Gospels of Jesus Christ. Some locations and timelines have been combined or condensed, and 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 show portrays Jesus through the eyes of those who met him, including the apostles and disciples of Jesus, Jewish religious leaders, Roman government and military officials, and ordinary people. The series is set against the backdrop of Roman oppression in first-century Israel. It shares an authentic and intimate look at Jesus’ revolutionary life and teachings.
The Chosen has received generally positive responses from Christians, although there have been various controversies over aspects of the show. It has won several awards, including two GMA Dove Awards, two K-Love Fan Awards, and one Epiphany Prize from Movieguide. The success of the series has led to the creation of 5&2 Studios, which is developing two spin-off series.
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Frequently asked questions
Dallas Jenkins.
No, he is an evangelical Christian.
The Chosen is a historical drama television series based on the true stories of the gospels of Jesus Christ.
Jonathan Roumie stars as Jesus, alongside Shahar Isaac, Elizabeth Tabish, Paras Patel, Noah James, and George H. Xanthis, among others.
The series has been released on Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Facebook, and YouTube.
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