I’ll be honest: When my wife suggested we watch The Chosen, an independently produced television show about the life of Christ, I was reluctant. But I also like making my wife happy, so we found in on YouTube, watched their little Christmas story “prequel,” and then got into the series proper.
I recommend this highly.
I have never, EVER seen a better portrayal of the gospel story. It’s a fully professional, fully credible “binge-watchable” series production, which sets a compelling stage of the Galilean setting under the Roman occupation, and portrays the main characters — Mary Magdalene, Simon and Andrew, Matthew, Nicodemus — as well-rounded individuals, each with his/her own narrative. And Jesus himself…
I can’t think of anything harder than trying to craft the portrayal of Jesus of Nazareth, from both the screenwriter’s and actor’s perspective. He’s a minefield, dramatically — the most divisive figure of Western civilization. And yet this Jesus is, to my imperfect eyes, a perfect portrayal. He’s not completely Johannine, spouting ethereal statements without any context; he’s not, in C.S. Lewis’ words, a “consumptive schoolgirl”; and he’s definitely not trying to “challenge” the audience with a new and “transgressive” interpretation. He’s warm and human, patient and caring, appropriately casual with disciples and children, not intending offense but not pandering, calling to repentance with love…
Behold the man: Jonathan Roumie as Jesus.
The series is available to watch for free at TheChosen.tv, or through their app (iOs or Android), or on YouTube. The first season comprises eight episodes; the second season is funding right now, and has about half of the $10,000,000 needed. I contributed some money, and I encourage others to do so as well.
And until the second season is produced, I will rewatch the first season, and marvel at the minor miracle that the collaborative artwork that is television, guided by the input of a Catholic priest, a Jewish rabbi, and an Evangelical doctor of theology, could come up with something that this Latter-day Saint finds awe-inspiring.