Hi everyone,
In today’s episode, I sit down with Dallas Jenkins, creator and director of The Chosen.
If you’re interested in Jesus or Christianity (or even if you’re not), you’ve probably come across this TV series about Jesus and his disciples, which is about to release its sixth season.
I am fascinated by the show, and am especially interested in the difficult creative decision-making entailed by working such a sensitive source material as the gospels. How does a TV show reconcile the different accounts? What about chronology, or locations, when these vary from source to source?
Not only this, but creating a half-decent TV show about Jesus requires putting words into the mouth of the central figure of Christianity which are not from any revelation, but rather the writers room. Is it even advisable to do such a thing at all?
Dallas joined me for over two hours to talk through some of these issues. Even better, he kindly invited us to record the episode on the set of the show. I will also, later today, release a behind-the-scenes look at the set, as I also got a tour on camera. So, look out for that too!
As always, you have it early. I am looking forward as ever to your feedback, and I hope you enjoy the episode!
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TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - What is The Chosen’s Purpose?
3:40 - Is It Appropriate to Embellish the Story of Jesus?
13:44 - Harmonising the Gospel Accounts
34:57 - Do Actors Sometimes Theologically Disagree?
46:19 - Controversial Additions to the Show
54:31 - Why Didn’t Jesus Heal Little James?
01:13:04 - Depicting Judas Iscariot
01:31:42 - The Women of The Chosen
01:38:54 - Stories Left Out of the Show
01:45:15 - Watching The Chosen As an Agnostic
