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Posted in Faith, Faith Family and Friends, General Comments, Movie Review, Movies, Reviews, Series (TV or Streaming) Review, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 28, 2026| Leave a Comment »

“The Chosen:  Season 1” (2019) — movie (TV series) review
Today’s (2nd) review is for season one of the (mostly) on-line historical / religious drama “The Chosen:  Season 1”, starring Jonathan Roumie as Jesus of Nazareth, portrayed with a calm, grounded presence that anchors the series;  Shahar Isaac as Simon Peter, the impulsive fisherman drowning in debt and pride;  Noah James as Andrew, Simon’s loyal but anxious brother;  Elizabeth Tabish as Mary Magdalene, whose early episodes give the season its emotional core;  Paras Patel as Matthew, the socially isolated tax collector whose analytical mind can’t reconcile what he’s witnessing;  Erick Avari as Nicodemus, the respected Pharisee whose certainty begins to crack;  Lara Silva as Eden, Simon Peter’s wife, whose frustration, loyalty, and quiet strength give the domestic stakes real weight;  Brandon Potter as Quintus, the ambitious Roman prefect whose pressure drives much of Simon’s desperation;  and Kirk B.R. Woller as Gaius, the Roman centurion assigned to Matthew, whose wary professionalism slowly shades into something more complicated.  The supporting cast fills out the world of first-century Galilee with families, merchants, and the occasional miracle-seeker.  The season builds slowly, letting the characters breathe / grow before their lives intersect with Jesus in meaningful ways.  There are eight episodes in season one and they run between 30 and 60 minutes, so watching / re-watching is a substantial “investment” of time.
Background:  This is my second full viewing of Season 1.  A few years ago, I heard about the series on-line (YouTube) and the first three seasons were available in a “pack” near my price point.  I’d seen a few (shorts) spots, and was sold, so I went “slightly” over my regular price limit.  LoL.  Because I’d not done a review of the three seasons and because the fourth season just fell to my price point, I’ve decided to re-visit the first three seasons before watching number four.  Released in 2019, the series became something of a phenomenon, funded outside the traditional studio system and gaining a large following.  Historically, the series is significant because it tries to tell the story of Jesus by focusing on the people around Him (their daily struggles, their doubts, their debts, their families) instead of starting with the miracles.  It’s a character-driven approach, and it works better than I expected.  It is a multi-faith project with advisors from Protestant, Roman Catholic and Jewish faiths and is produced by Mormon production company (although they don’t “appear” to have any other input).
Plot:  The season follows several story lines that slowly converge.  Mary Magdalene is introduced at her lowest point, she is depicted as a prostitute tormented (possessed) by “demons” and isolated, until a quiet encounter with Jesus forever alters her life.  Simon Peter is scrambling to escape crushing tax debt, making questionable deals with the Romans and dragging Andrew along with him.  Matthew, who seems to be autistic, is the tax collector for the Romans, watches events unfold with growing confusion.  Nicodemus (who at first attempts to exorcise Mary Magdalene’s “demons”) investigates a strange incident (Jesus cures Mary) in the Red Quarter and begins to suspect something extraordinary is happening.  As the season progresses, Jesus calls His first disciples, performs several early miracles (including the healing of a leper, the paralytic lowered through the roof, and the wedding at Cana), and begins teaching publicly.  The season ends with His encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well — a quiet, powerful moment that sets the stage for what comes next.
So, is this series any good?  How’s the acting?  The filming / FX?  Any problems?  And, did I enjoy the season?  Short answers:  Yes;  very good;  atmospheric and effective;  a few;  yes.
Any good?  Yes.  Season 1 is one of the better dramatizations I’ve ever seen of this material because it doesn’t feel rushed.  It takes its time building the world (the Roman occupation, the religious tensions, the economic pressures) and it tries to establish the characters as real people instead of icons.  The show is at its best when it focuses on the small moments:  a shared meal, a quiet conversation, a moment of doubt.  The restraint works surprisingly well.
Acting:  Roumie gives a warm, steady performance as Jesus: approachable without losing the sense of mystery.  Isaac’s Simon is impulsive, proud, and often unlikeable, which makes his eventual calling feel earned.  Tabish’s Mary is the emotional anchor of the early episodes, and her transformation is handled with care.  Patel’s Matthew is one of the season’s most distinctive choices:  socially awkward, brilliant, and painfully aware of his isolation. Avari’s Nicodemus provides the season’s most poignant arc, especially in the later episodes.  Although Roumie and Matthew are (IMHO) near perfect in their roles, I was continually drawn to Potter and Woller portraying the two Romans most involved in dealing with Jesus (before they even know it).  The ensemble fits the material naturally.
Filming / FX:  The cinematography is warm and earthy, with natural light and textured sets that make the world feel lived-in and historically appropriate.  The show uses muted colors, candlelit interiors, and wide outdoor shots to create a sense of place.  The music blends Middle Eastern influences with modern tones.  There are no flashy special effects, but the miracles are handled with a quiet confidence that suits the story.
Problems:  A few.  The series is a dramatization, not a literal Biblical-following re-enactment.  The pacing may feel slow to some viewers, particularly in the early episodes.  The show occasionally leans into modern phrasing that may distract religious purists.  And because the season focuses so heavily on character development, some biblical events are delayed or re-ordered, which may bother viewers expecting a more traditional chronology.  None of these issues break the season / series.
Did I enjoy the season?  Yes!  I found it thoughtful, well-acted, and surprisingly (repeatedly) moving.  The character-first approach works, and the emotional beats land without feeling forced.  It’s not a “perfect” Biblical re-telling (as if there could ever be one), but it’s a compelling one — and I’m looking forward to continuing with Seasons 2 through 4.  LoL.
Final Recommendation:  Strong recommendation.  “The Chosen:  Season 1” is a well-crafted, character-driven retelling of familiar Christian stories, with strong performances, grounded cinematography, and a steady emotional core.  It’s worth watching if you enjoy historical dramas, religious stories, or ensemble character pieces.  Rated TV-PG, it’s suitable for most audiences and offers a fresh perspective on material that is often handled too reverently or too stiffly.  I’ll continue the series and review the next seasons as I get to them.  I currently own streaming rights to four of the five released seasons.  I have to wait for Season 5 to fall to my price point and since it’s titled: “The Last Supper“, I guess there will be at least one more season after that.  LoL.  (I just looked it up on-line and there are seven planned seasons, so I guess they’ll be the crucifixion and the resurrection.)
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Click here (28 March) to see the posts of prior years.  I started this blog in late 2009.  Daily posting began in late January 2011.  Not all of the days in the early years (2009-2010) will have posts.

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