In a shocking and profound interview, actor Jonathan Roumie joined “The View” to discuss filming season 6 of “The Chosen,” during which he also shared powerful truths about the gospel.
Roumie shared that portraying Jesus in the crucifixion was “one of the hardest things” he has ever done—not just physically, but emotionally, mentally and spiritually. For him, acting is rooted in truth, and portraying the truth of Christ’s suffering required entering into the weight of that moment in a deeply personal way.
“…for Jesus it becomes doubly intense because I’m now trying to enter into the truth of what it meant to go through torture and crucifixion. And so, it’s not just the physicality of recreating that, it’s the emotional impact that has. It’s the mental, the psychological impact of entering into Christ’s crucifixion…I asked God to allow me some sense of what that would be like, and He didn’t disappoint,” Roumie said.
Even now, he admits he is still processing what he experienced while filming the scenes of Jesus’ torture and death.
The actor also spoke candidly about why this role rests so heavily on his relationship with God. Without a genuine, lived faith, Roumie said, portraying Jesus “wouldn’t have the same kind of authenticity.”
“I think what I bring to the role is my relationship with Christ,” Roumie noted. “By taking on His love for humanity, and trying to recreate that, it’s made me a better person.“
Roumie expressed how powerful testimonies from viewers have also touched him.
Recently, two lifelong atheists—people who had no interest in God—wrote to him sharing how “The Chosen” unexpectedly gripped their hearts. After watching the first episode, they began reading the Bible, attending church and ultimately giving their lives to Christ. “If God wants to, He will find you,” Roumie said. “He will follow you. He will go after you.” For him, these testimonies are the most meaningful fruit of the show’s success.
As Season 6 of “The Chosen” draws near, Roumie hopes the portrayal will lead many to reflect deeply on the love of God revealed at the cross.
“The Chosen” isn’t just a retelling of the gospel story; it is transforming lives with the truth it carries.
Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the upcoming book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment.
