It is Back to Work on the Set of "The Chosen"

The streaming series about Jesus' earthly ministry has been granted an exemption from the actors' strike that shut down Hollywood productions.

Joey Vahedi, who plays the Apostle Thomas on the show, appears in a scene from Season 4. Image: "The Chosen"/from Instagram.

That sure was fast! The union representing actors - SAG-AFTRA - went on strike last Friday, forcing the shutdown of all shows and movies featuring its members, including The Chosen, which is in the final stages of production of Season 4 in Utah. At issue is a new contract between the organization and the big studios, which are represented by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.

Dallas Jenkins (right) shares a laugh on set with actor Nick Shakoour during a recent day of filming of Season 4. Image: "The Chosen"/from Instagram.

Since The Chosen is an independent production, and thus not connected to the Hollywood heavyweights, show creator/director Dallas Jenkins submitted an appeal to SAG-AFTRA, requesting a waiver that would allow it to keep filming during the strike.

Lo and behold, that request was granted posthaste, meaning the show did not miss any meaningful filming time and cast and crew are now on the set in Utah working: no doubt thanks to the prayers of many, including Jenkins, who is a committed Christian. A social media post from the hit series called it "Great News!"

This development should allow Jenkins and his team to finish production in the next two weeks, as they originally planned. Though there is no release date yet for Season 4, the pattern with previous seasons would indicate that the first episodes of the eight-episode season will start rolling out at the end of this year.