The Chosen

The Chosen (deutsch: Die Auserwählten) ist eine US-amerikanische Fernsehserie, die auf dem Leben von Jesus von Nazaret basiert. Die Serie zeigt Jesus durch die Augen derer, die ihm begegnet sind. Sie versucht so zu erklären, warum Menschen ihr bisheriges Leben hinter sich ließen, um ihm nachzufolgen. Ebenso wird die Ablehnung Jesu durch die damaligen religiösen Autoritäten gezeigt. Die Serie wird vom US-amerikanischen Filmemacher Dallas Jenkins konzipiert, inszeniert und mitgeschrieben.

Ab dem 21. Januar 2023 war The Chosen erstmals im deutschen Fernsehen auf Bibel TV zu sehen. Die Deutschlandpremiere erfolgte jedoch bereit am 27. August 2021 im Internet. Auch auf Prime Video und Netflix ist die Serie verfügbar.

The Chosen is an American Christian historical drama television series. Created, directed, and co-written by filmmaker Dallas Jenkins, it is the first multi-season series about the life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth. Primarily set in Judaea and Galilee in the 1st century, the series centers on Jesus and the people who met and followed him. The series stars Jonathan Roumie as Jesus as well as Shahar Isaac, Elizabeth Tabish, Paras Patel, Noah James, and George H. Xanthis.

The producers primarily employ a crowdfunding approach to finance production. Due to the positive response from viewers, The Chosen has become the most successful crowdfunded TV series or film project in history. Additional revenue comes through licensing to other streaming platforms, TV networks, and theatrical releases. Merchandise and video sales provide additional sources of revenue. The show has been further adapted into a series of novels by Jenkins's father, author Jerry B. Jenkins, a series of graphic novels by Corvus Comics, and companion Bible study materials published by David C. Cook.

Filming and production take place in Texas and Utah. Beginning with a rental set in Texas known as Capernaum Village, the series was later offered the opportunity to use a Jerusalem film set in Utah created by the the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Following the success of the first two seasons, The Chosen partnered with the National Christian Foundation and the Impact Foundation to construct a production complex in Texas complete with soundstage, set workshops, and a replica of Capernaum.

According to a 2022 analysis commissioned by the show's producers, 108 million had seen at least part of the show through the app and streaming platforms. The series has received generally positive reviews. It has also received some criticisms for its artistic license, portrayals of Mary, and injecting Mormon theology into its script.

The series is now being internationally distributed. Translation into as many as 600 languages is being funded by the Come and See Foundation.