Cultural Impact of The Chosen

By Deborah Johnson

April 4, 2026

crowd funding, cultural impact, Dallas Jenkens, Easter, faith, media driven world, power of after, power of story, The Chosen, Were You There

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In an age dominated by streaming platforms, social media algorithms, and a constant flow of digital entertainment, it might seem unlikely that a series about the life of Jesus would become one of the most talked‑about global media phenomena of the past decade. Yet that is precisely what has happened with The Chosen, the multi‑season television drama created by Dallas Jenkins. What began as a modest, crowdfunded project has grown into an international cultural movement that is reshaping how biblical stories are presented in modern media.

As Easter approaches each year—a season centered on the death and resurrection of Christ—the impact of The Chosen becomes even more meaningful. The series not only retells the Gospel story but also invites audiences to rediscover its humanity, relevance, and emotional depth in a way that resonates across generations and cultures. I wanted to trace a bit more of its history and discover why it broke through, especially in today’s media climate.

A Global Phenomenon, Born Outside Hollywood

The origin story of The Chosen is almost as remarkable as the show itself. Instead of being funded by a traditional Hollywood studio, the first season was financed through crowdfunding, raising more than $10 million from over 16,000 supporters. This made it the largest crowdfunded television or film project in history at the time. (PR Newswire; Wikipedia)

The unconventional approach worked. What began as a grassroots production quickly expanded into a worldwide media success. Today the series has been viewed by an estimated 280 million people around the world, with roughly one‑third of viewers identifying as non‑religious. (Wikipedia) (Non-religious refers to individuals who do not identify with or actively practice an organized religion, though they may still hold personal spiritual beliefs or simply choose not to follow any faith tradition.)

That statistic alone (of 280 million people) highlights something unusual about the show’s appeal. Historically, faith‑based entertainment has often remained within niche religious markets. The Chosen, however, has crossed cultural and denominational lines. It has been translated into more than 50 languages with subtitles in over 600 languages, also streamed across multiple platforms, reaching audiences in countries and cultures far removed from the traditional American Christian media landscape.

Its theatrical releases have also generated significant revenue, with special cinema events collectively grossing more than $120 million worldwide. (Wikipedia) In short, The Chosen has demonstrated that a biblically rooted story—told with strong characters, cinematic storytelling, and emotional authenticity—can compete in the modern entertainment ecosystem.

Humanizing the Gospel Story

One of the most significant reasons for the show’s success is its storytelling approach. Rather than presenting Jesus and his disciples as distant historical figures, The Chosen portrays them as complex, relatable people navigating real human struggles.

The series remains closely connected to the biblical text while creatively filling in the narrative gaps between scriptural events. Creator Dallas Jenkins has repeatedly emphasized that the goal is not to change the Gospel story but to illuminate the humanity of the people involved. When visiting the replica of Noah’s Ark in Kentucky: The Ark Encounter, the same sort of creative license was communicated to fulfill the spectacular display of a life-sized ark filled with animals, food preparation, water supply and waste elimination.

Actor Jonathan Roumie’s portrayal of Jesus in The Chosen exemplifies this creative approach. Instead of the stoic, almost untouchable figure often depicted in earlier religious films, Roumie’s Jesus is compassionate, humorous, emotionally aware, and deeply relational. This portrayal has resonated strongly with audiences. As one journalist observed, the show reminds viewers of the “humanity and relevance” of Jesus in a way that previous portrayals often failed to capture. (The Guardian)

By focusing on the lives of the disciples—Peter, Matthew, Mary Magdalene, and others—the series also helps audiences see the Gospel narrative through the eyes of ordinary people encountering extraordinary change. I have been especially drawn to the character of Matthew, the tax collector, who is perfectly cast as one very explicit in note-taking and details, which is manifest in the accompanying book of Matthew in the Bible. The result is a story that feels both ancient and modern at the same time.

A Surprising and Diverse Audience

Another remarkable aspect of The Chosen is the diversity of its audience. While many viewers come from Christian backgrounds, a substantial portion does not. According to the show’s producers, approximately one‑third of the global audience identifies as non‑religious.

This diversity suggests that the series has tapped into something larger than traditional faith‑based programming. It speaks to universal themes—identity, forgiveness, hope, belonging, and transformation.

In a cultural moment where many people feel disconnected from institutions, The Chosen presents a story centered on relationship and personal encounter. Viewers are drawn not only to the historical figure of Jesus but to the emotional journeys of the people around him. That narrative approach invites audiences from many backgrounds to engage with the story—even if they are encountering it for the first time.

Community Participation in the Story

One of the most fascinating aspects of The Chosen is the way its production has involved the audience itself. Crowdfunding campaigns have raised tens of millions of dollars across multiple seasons, demonstrating the passion and commitment of its supporters. (Deseret News) But financial contributions are only part of the story.

In several large scenes—most famously the feeding of the five thousand—thousands of fans volunteered to serve as extras during filming. Nearly 12,000 extras from 36 countries participated in that scene alone, many traveling at their own expense and even creating their own costumes to appear in the production. (Wikipedia)

This kind of participation blurs the line between audience and creator. Viewers are not just watching the story; they are helping bring it to life. In many ways, that mirrors the message of the Gospel itself. The story of Jesus is not simply something to observe from a distance—it is an invitation to participate in something transformative.

Power of After GPT Consulting-Deborah Johnson

Faith Based Media in a Changing Cultural Landscape

The success of The Chosen also reflects a broader shift happening in the entertainment industry. For decades, faith‑based content was often treated as a niche category. But streaming platforms and digital distribution have changed that dynamic. Independent creators now have direct access to audiences without needing traditional studio approval.

The Chosen is a prime example of this shift. By leveraging crowdfunding, social media engagement, and a free‑to‑watch streaming app, the show built its audience organically before major platforms took notice.

Today the series appears on platforms like Amazon Prime Video and Netflix while remaining free to watch on its own app, allowing the creators to maintain a unique distribution model. This hybrid approach has allowed The Chosen to grow from a grassroots project into a global media brand.

Why this Matters at Easter

The timing of The Chosen’s growing popularity is especially meaningful as the world approaches Easter each year. Easter remains the central event of the Christian faith—the moment that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus and the hope it represents.

But for many people in modern culture, Easter has become more associated with traditions like spring holidays, family gatherings, or cultural symbolism than with the biblical story itself. What The Chosen does so effectively is bring viewers back into the emotional and historical world of that story.

By allowing audiences to spend time with the disciples, to see their doubts, fears, humor, and faith, the series creates a deeper connection to the events leading up to the crucifixion and resurrection. If you just followed Simon Peter’s journey, you would see a very imperfect man, drawn to Jesus as a rough-mouthed fisherman, full of doubts and personal issues. His transformation and commitment, so perfectly cast in the character, creates a relational character so many can not only identify with, but relate to.

When viewers eventually watch the scenes portraying the final days of Jesus’ life, the emotional weight is far greater because they have come to know the people involved. It becomes not just a historical event—but a relational story.

The Power of Story in a Media-Driven World

In a culture saturated with media, stories still hold extraordinary power. Stories shape how people see the world. They shape identity, values, and belief.

What The Chosen demonstrates is that the Gospel story—when told with authenticity and creativity—still carries enormous cultural influence.

People are hungry for meaning. They are looking for narratives that speak to hope, purpose, and transformation. The story of Jesus has always offered that message. But in the modern media landscape, it takes thoughtful storytelling to communicate it effectively.

The Chosen has shown that when biblical truth is presented through compelling characters, cinematic quality, and emotional realism, it can resonate with audiences who might otherwise never open a Bible.

Looking Forward

The creators of The Chosen have said their ultimate goal is to reach one billion people with the story of Jesus. Whether or not that goal is achieved, the series has already changed the landscape of faith‑based media.

It has proven that biblical storytelling can thrive in the modern entertainment world. It has demonstrated the power of community participation in media creation. And it has reminded audiences across the globe that the story at the heart of Easter—the story of sacrifice, redemption, and resurrection—still speaks to the deepest questions of the human heart. It is what so many songs communicate, such as Were You There? An African American spiritual most likely written before 1865. It carries a message that has continued to speak to most every generation.

Closing Reflection

As we approach the Easter season, the impact of The Chosen reminds us of something powerful about storytelling. When the Gospel narrative is presented with authenticity, humanity, and emotional depth, it doesn’t feel distant or historical—it feels personal. We see ourselves in the disciples’ doubts, their questions, and their transformation.

Easter ultimately tells the story of the greatest “after” in history. After the confusion, after the suffering, after the crucifixion—came resurrection, hope, and new life. And that message still speaks today. No matter where we find ourselves—whether we feel stuck, circling, or searching for direction—there is always the possibility of a new chapter. That’s really the heart of the Power of After. Your experience, your challenges, and even your setbacks can become the foundation for something meaningful moving forward.

As we reflect on the story behind Easter, maybe the question for each of us is this: What might be possible in the “after” of our own lives?

Additional Resources

Goal Setting Worksheets-free download!

Hero Mountain Summit- a 5-month "Power of After" journey to help you answer "What's Next?" with your desired lifestyle & maximized skills and experience.

Power of After: What’s Next Can Be Your Most Purposeful Chapter by Deborah Johnson

Stop Circling: Steps to Escape Endless Roundabouts by Deborah Johnson

FREE Resources and links: https://GoalsForYourLife.com/DJWorks

YouTube Podcast Playlist: Women at Halftime/Power of After

Faithwire. (2023). Thousands of Extras Help Recreate the Feeding of the 5,000 for “The Chosen.”
https://www.faithwire.com/2023/07/18/the-chosen-feeding-of-5000-scene-extras

The Chosen. Official Website: https://www.thechosen.tv

Independent creators now have direct access to audiences without needing traditional studio approval.

deborah johnson

Thought Leader, Keynote Speaker, Author

If you are interested in growing and learning, check out our online courses here: Online Learning

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Deborah Johnson

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About the author

Deborah Johnson, M.A. has not only written multiple books and albums, but hundreds of songs, three full-length musicals and is the producer of the popular podcast, Women at Halftime. She was past president of the National Speakers Association, Los Angeles and has written & produced multiple online courses. She enjoys being outside and traveling with her husband and also loves spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Up for multiple GRAMMY Awards and spending over 20 years in the entertainment industry, she's built multiple self-driven businesses and is an expert on how to constantly reinvent yourself in a gig-economy. Deborah speaks and performs for both live and virtual events.