Set during Holy Week, the eight episodes will start releasing in theaters at the end of this month.
With things on tap like the Triumphal Entry on Palm Sunday, the overturning of the money-changing tables in the Temple, the Last Supper, and Judas' betrayal, the coming season of The Chosen will be jam-packed with some of the most significant moments of Jesus' earthly ministry. Though Season 6 will focus on the tumultuous day of the Crucifixion, the man behind the hit show, creator and director Dallas Jenkins, believes this fifth season is not "the calm before the storm."
The 49-year-old committed Believer tells The Christian Post that Season 5 is in fact "not calm at all," pointing to the increasingly confrontational approach Christ took at the end of His life, particularly with the Jewish religious leaders who opposed Him.
"Before He goes to the cross, He is going to make sure that when a million people are all gathered in Jerusalem at one time, including His followers and His enemies, He's going to make sure they hear everything they need to hear. That's the tone of the season. It's very intense and passionate, and you see a side of Jesus you've never seen before."
Since it set a crowdfunding record for media projects back in 2018, The Chosen has turned into a global phenomenon that has delivered more than 250 million viewers through the first four of its planned seven seasons. As Christian Film Blog has previously reported, however - here, here, and here - the show is no stranger to controversy either. The latest bout of criticism centers on a moment from Season 5 that is not in the Bible. It shows the Jesus character, played by Jonathan Roumie, saying to Judas before his betrayal that He will pray for the apostle to continue to follow Him.
In his interview, Jenkins acknowledges that his series "is made by flawed human beings" and "there might be some things you disagree with," but adds that his "foundation is built on the solid rock of God's Word" and that the scene in question "does not contradict the character and intentions of Jesus."
"I don't think that Jesus praying for one of His followers, including the one who's going to betray Him, should be that controversial or that shocking. And I just hope that people approach it from that regard."
You will be able to make up your own mind on that - and the rest of Jenkins' directorial choices - starting on March 27th when the first of three parts of Season 5 rolls out in theaters in North America. You can find a venue in your area and purchase tickets via this link to the website of distributor Fathom events, as well as check out the rest of the release schedule.