‘The Chosen’  gives unique perspectives on the Easter Story and in particular the events that happened from the perspectives of the people who knew Jesus most – his disciples. The actors who played Peter, Andrew, Thaddaeus and James reflect on what it was like playing these roles.

Peter

Shahar Isaac plays Peter in ‘The Chosen’. He reflects on and

[Peter] is human, imperfect, just like each one of us. The aim of the series is the unity of the human being, the real and total humanity beyond the clichés that we may have of each character, such as Peter. At the beginning it was a total identification. Fishing, living a simple life, although starting to live with the other disciples was complicated at first, because I like to maintain my individuality and keep things under control. But when Jesus changed my name from Simon to Peter, with a new responsibility, I felt better in my role; although in this new fifth season I lose all the positive things that I was living as a character.

It was easy as soon as I read the script of the first four chapters. The strength and depth of the script grabbed me right from the casting. I immediately said to myself, I want to play this role! And it is incredible to say that, because practically everyone knows the story, but many are intrigued and ask me how it is going to turn out. That is the great thing about this series, the writers have been able to create an incredible world within the known story that generates so much interest among our audience.[1]

 

Andrew

Andrew is played by Noah James and he reflects on the lessons he learned through filming ‘The Chosen’:

The ability to surrender was not something that I came into ‘The Chosen’ with that ability to do. So I’m learning when best to let go of things that you can’t control and surrender. That certainly helped me through some of the difficult moments. Learning how to grow in that way and be OK with letting go is certainly a part of ‘The Chosen.’ That’s one of the cool things about the show: each character has their own things that they’re struggling with or dealing with, and we’re watching them grow and sometimes take two steps forward, one step back, or maybe four steps back, 10 steps back, and try to find their way back to where they were and into growth. I just think that ‘The Chosen’ does a really good job of that.

 

Watch an interview with Shahar Isaac and Noah James here:

 

Thaddeus

Thaddeus is played by Giavani Cairo. He recalls being bullied when he was growing up and as a result felt insecure and like he never truly belonged. He says he brought that experience to the character of Thaddeus in the Easter story:

Thaddeus wants people to know that they are seen,” he said. “I want people to know that they do belong. So that one thing that’s really been inspiring to me through what the writers have written and what I can bring to the table is to show people that, yeah, you are seen. So the disciples start dealing with the obstacles that come with, with following Jesus. So excited for people to see what that’s all about. You never know what someone’s going through, so even seeing someone you don’t know walking past you on the street, you know, you don’t know what they’re going through. Jesus said to his disciples at the Last Supper to love one another as I have loved you. And that’s what I really try to bring every day to my life. You know, since being part of The Chosen.[2]

James

Jordan Ross plays Little James and the writers of ‘The Chosen’ incorporated his unique disability into the character. Ross was born with scoliosis and mild cerebral palsy which means he walks with a pronounced limp. Read what he says about playing this role:

They embraced my disability and made it part of Little James’s story as well, which added a whole new layer to the character,” Ross said. “And then going further with that, I kind of imagined that little James, you know, at that time, if you had a disability, you were kind of ostracized and viewed as a curse. You either did something really wrong or your family did. And so I feel like little James probably wouldn’t have been accepted by most back then in that culture. And when he met Jesus, who is accepting and loving and and wants him to follow him regardless of his is disability. I think that that would be a very appealing thing to Little James. And I’m excited — you know, Little James and Thaddeus in previous seasons were, you know, just kind of like happy to be there, really. You know, uplifting of everyone there. They’re there to kind of like help push Simon along in his story or, you know, to just encourage the other apostles. And Little James is, you know, sitting there like, well, I haven’t been healed yet and you’re wanting me to heal people now. Yeah. So they’re that’s going to be a really interesting journey to see where little James ends up. I’d walk past a reflective surface and see my limp and I would feel just disgusted and ashamed,” he said. Getting The Chosen helps me realize that just because I’m different doesn’t mean I’m broken and that it’s not a weakness. My limp isn’t a weakness. It’s something that I can use to inspire others and to stand out as an actor.[3]

References

[1] https://evangelicalfocus.com/culture/30606/the-chosen-what-surprised-me-most-about-marys-character-is-her-strength

[2] https://cbn.com/news/entertainment/how-playing-disciples-jesus-chosen-deepened-these-actors-faith

[3] https://cbn.com/news/entertainment/how-playing-disciples-jesus-chosen-deepened-these-actors-faith