The Chosen (TV series)

The Chosen is a 2020 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]

The Chosen
GenreHistorical drama
Created byDallas Jenkins
Based onThe life of Jesus Christ
Starring
  • Jonathan Roumie
  • Erick Avari
  • Shahar Isaac
  • Noah James
  • Paras Patel
  • Elizabeth Tabish
  • Nick Shakoour
  • Lara Silva
Country of originUnited States
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes8
Production
Executive producer(s)
  • Derral Eves
  • Matthew Faraci
  • Dallas Jenkins
  • Ryan Swanson
Producer(s)
  • Chad Gundersen
  • Justin Tolley
CinematographyAkis Konstantakopoulos
Editor(s)John Quinn
Production company(s)
  • The Chosen Productions
  • VidAngel Studios
DistributorVidAngel
Release
Original releaseMarch 30, 2020 (2020-03-30) –
present
External links
Production website

Overview

The pilot 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 eight season show are intended to chronicle his death and resurrection.[5]

Cast

Main Cast

Supporting

Special participation

  • Raj Bond as Joseph
  • Aaron Himelstein as Simon, the shepherd (pilot episode)
  • Nick Shakoour as Zebedee
  • Nina Leon as Salome
  • Lara Silva as Eden, Simon Peter's wife
  • Yasmine Al-Bustami as Ramah, Thomas' partner
  • Ivan Jasso as Yussif, a Pharisee
  • Shaan Sharma as Shmuel, a Pharisee
  • Brandon Potter as Praetor Quintus, a Roman official
  • Kirk B.R. Woller as Gaius, a Roman centurion and associate of Matthew
  • Troy Caylak as Alphaeus, Matthew's father
  • Stephen Hailo as the leper
  • Amber Shana Williams as Tamar, a friend of the paralytic
  • Noé de la Garza as the paralytic
  • Leticia Magaña as Dasha, Simon Peter's mother-in-law
  • Vanessa De Silvio as Photina, the Samaritan woman at the well

Guests

  • Stelio Savante as Moses (episode 7)
  • Amato D'Apolito as Jacob (episode 8)

Production and 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.[6] 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.[7][3]

Jenkins was introduced to video marketing strategist Derral Eves[8] and the two partnered to create and own The Chosen, with Eves as executive producer. In October 2017, Eves and Jenkins formed a Utah-based LLC in order to "develop and produce an episodic television series entitled 'The Chosen' which is intended to be distributed through online video streaming services, television and home video." Jenkins received a 49% ownership interest In the Company in exchange for his rights to the story. In XX, Eves, Jenkins and others worked with an investment bank to raise $13 million in financing for the project.[9]

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.[7] At the end of the first fundraising round in January 2019, the project had raised over $10.2 million from over 16,000 investors,[1][10] unseating Mystery Science Theater 3000 as the top crowdfunded filmed project.[4][7][10] Each investor received equity in the show and is regulated by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).[10] Season 2 fundraising had reached over $6 million from over 300,000 investors as of July 1, 2020.[11]

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.[12][2]

Seven seasons are planned.[4]

Episodes

Season 1 (2017–2019)[13]

The first four episodes were released in April and the last four in November 2019.[14]

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
0"The Shepherd (Christmas Special Pilot)"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.
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 Baptist 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.

Season 2

The eight episodes are still in the process of being written.[15] [16]

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1"Thunder"Dallas JenkinsDallas Jenkins, Ryan Swanson and Tyler ThompsonTBA
James and John struggle as they deal with the people they don't like.
2TBADallas JenkinsDallas Jenkins, Ryan Swanson and Tyler ThompsonTBA
Philip tells a downcast Nathanael about the One they've been waiting for their entire lives, the one whom Moses foretold and the prophets said would come.
3"Matthew 4:24"Dallas JenkinsDallas Jenkins, Ryan Swanson and Tyler ThompsonTBA
As Jesus heals many people, His students discuss Him.
4"The Perfect Opportunity"Dallas JenkinsDallas Jenkins, Ryan Swanson and Tyler ThompsonTBA
The Jewish authorities are troubled as they heard of a healing occurring during Shabbat.
5TBADallas JenkinsTBATBA
6TBADallas JenkinsTBATBA
7TBADallas JenkinsTBATBA
8TBADallas JenkinsTBATBA

Biblical accuracy

The show 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][3][10][18]

The show also used religious experts to review scripts, including providing facts or context on the biblical, cultural, and socio-political history, the show maker said. They also hired many people of color as actors.[10][1]

The opening scroll says it 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."[19]

Release

The first season was distributed on its own mobile app free around the world,[20] as well as the VidAngel streaming platform in the United States.[21]

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]

Reception

The series' success is attributed to artistic storytelling, creativity and the incorporation of comedy, while staying true to the message of the gospels.[22]

Episode 8 from Season 1 earned two Movieguide Award nominations in 2020.[23] By early 2020 crowd funding efforts were afloat for season 2 with a goal of $10 million.[21]

The series has a 100 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes from critics, and 99 percent from audiences.[24] As of April 28, 2020 it has been viewed over twenty million times in 180 countries. It is currently being translated to 70 languages.[3] As of April 24, 2020, the show was on IMDB's top 250 rated TV shows list.[25]

gollark: It's entirely possible they're exactly the same speed and none of this matters.
gollark: Oh, wait, scrolled up and you only want directly connected ones, never mind!
gollark: There's also `peripheral.getNames()` to list connected peripherals and `peripheral.find "modem"` or whatever to find peripherals.
gollark: Or `redstone.getSides()`, which is exactly the same.
gollark: Yes, not really sure why you'd want the return value in any case.

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. "'The Chosen': Record-breaking TV series about Jesus debuts worldwide". The Christian Post. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  3. New TV Series The Chosen a Modern Day 'Five Loaves and Two Fish' Story (cbn.com)
  4. Story about life of Jesus emerges as largest crowdfunded entertainment project in history (Fox News)
  5. "SEC". SEC. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  6. Cullins, Ashley (June 13, 2017). "VidAngel Launches New Platform Amid Studio Legal Battle (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  7. Largest-Ever Crowdfunding Campaign for a TV Show Issues Equity to Investors (The Hollywood Reporter)
  8. Fidelman, Mark. "20 Must Watch YouTube Channels That Will Change Your Business". Forbes. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  9. "Blueprint". www.sec.gov. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  10. Shepherd, Josh. "Jesus' Life Chosen for Two Very Different TV Series". ChristianityToday.com. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  11. Pay It Forward (VidAngel - The Chosen) (VidAngel)
  12. Parke, Caleb (December 9, 2019). "Faith-based TV series 'The Chosen' tells the story of Jesus: The start of something 'very special'". Fox News Channel. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  13. The Chosen, retrieved August 1, 2020
  14. The Chosen: Season 1, retrieved May 5, 2020
  15. The Chosen: Season 2 Updates, May 2020
  16. The Chosen: Another Season 2 Updates, June 2020
  17. "Capernaum Studios". Capernaum Studios. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  18. 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.
  19. Blu, Jasmine (April 14, 2020). "The Chosen Review: A Transformative, Engrossing, and Hopeful Series!". TV Fanatic. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  20. "App Store". April 17, 2020. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  21. "This is so Powerful - the Chosen".
  22. "THE CHOSEN Series is a Delightful Watch and Filled with Faith!". Movieguide | The Family Guide to Movies & Entertainment. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
  23. "'The Chosen' Earns 2 Movieguide Award Nominations". CCM Magazine. January 13, 2020. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
  24. The Chosen, retrieved May 5, 2020
  25. "IMDb Top 250 TV". IMDb. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
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