Actors Touched by Powerful Message Found in 'The Chosen'
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. – Matthew 11:28-30
MIDLOTHIAN, Texas — It is quite evident that the most successful crowdfunded series of all time, The Chosen has had a tremendous ministry impact through the 420 million episodes that have been streamed worldwide.
In what has become a global phenomenon, the multi-episode television drama based on the life of Jesus, will launch the first two episodes of Season 3 in more than 2,000 movie theaters nationwide this Friday, November 18th.
Through the first two seasons, hearts have been pierced, lives have been saved, and all types of ministry has taken place.
One interesting outcome of the series that does not get discussed much though, is the life-changing impact the production has had on the cast. On a recent visit to the set where ‘The Chosen’ is filmed in Texas, story after story emerged of God’s providence and transformational power working in the lives of these individuals.
Lara Silva, who plays Eden in the series, quickly discovered after accepting her role that she began to process rejection and scrutiny in a much more positive way.
“God has really just shown me that it’s all going to be okay,” says the 22-year-old actress who also has had a small role in the recent reboot of Dynasty. “He has shown me that I should not worry about the future. I should not stress about it, but really just enjoy what He has for me and trust that He’s going to bring me to my next project wherever that may be. I think He’s given me this platform to really learn and continue sharing my story and my personal testimony. It has become all about pursuing acting and pursuing Him.”
Giavani Cairo had spent a long time in Hollywood trying to get his big break and had lived the classic “struggling actor” life for six years. He was about to give up and move back to Michigan but a close friend asked him to start volunteering at homeless shelters in the Los Angeles area. He reluctantly agreed but soon discovered that God was teaching him to love his neighbor as himself. This restorative process ultimately prepared his heart for what was to come, a role as the disciple Thaddeus on The Chosen.
“I (still) wanted to book a series,” Cairo explains. “But I wanted to get closer to God and closer to my faith. And what happened? I got an audition for The Chosen. I had no idea what it was about. I only knew that it was about Jesus and the disciples. And those things kind of just manifested into one. If that’s not fate I don’t know what is, honestly.”
Jordan Walker Ross, who portrays the disciple Little James on the series, has been afflicted by cerebral palsy his entire life. But that has not stopped him from his lifelong dream of being an actor. Like so many others, Ross spent 10 years off and on in Los Angeles trying to make his dream become a reality with little success.
He felt like he had been given this passion and a gift for acting but also had been dealt a curse of having a disability that would prevent him from ever realizing his goals. It was something that he had battled with emotionally for quite some time. It didn’t help matters that various casting directors would ask him to lose the limp or tone it down. That coupled with the bullying he faced in high school birthed countless insecurities.
Yet divine providence led him to an audition forThe Chosen, a tryout that Ross really didn’t think much of at the time. He just saw it as another in a long list of failures due to his disability. He soon discovered there was something very different about this show.
“The Chosen has been such a gift for me because it’s proven that there is a place for me in this line of work and in this business,” Ross says. “It’s also shown me that just because I’m different doesn’t mean I’m broken. Rather than letting it (his disability) be the elephant in the room, I try to lead with it. It’s helped me kind of accept a new role as someone who can maybe be a beacon of hope for someone else that has a disability that wants to be an actor or wants to do something else, but people are telling them they can’t do it. I’m so grateful.”
As director Dallas Jenkins and his production team began filming Season 3 in northern Texas earlier this year, word soon trickled out that they would be filming a pivotal scene in the life and ministry of Jesus and it just wasn’t any scene. It was the Feed of the 5,000. Beyond the sheer size and scope of filming it, more than 10,000 extras would be on site. Not many were prepared for the power of ministry that would take place on that blazing hot day in June. None more so than Amber Williams.
Williams, who plays Tamar inThe Chosen, wasn’t in the Feeding of the 5,000 scene but went there because she felt she just couldn’t miss it. She simply wanted to witness what she saw as a historic television event. While there, she met some of the fans who had traveled thousands of miles just to be extras in the scene.
“I remember a woman came up to me and she’s dressed up in a costume,” Williams shares enthusiastically. “She started off by saying, ‘I’m so happy to meet you.’ And then she just burst into tears. I thought she was just being emotional because she met me. I’ve never had that happen to me before. But she said, “My mom made this outfit and you were her favorite. She loved your character so much. She died a few months ago from cancer and she wanted to be here.” Her comments brought me to my knees. And she continued, “I feel her here with us.” And I could really feel that. And we just stood there and hugged.
Williams adds, “She’s unique, but these types of stories are not, and that’s what ‘The Chosen’ is doing. And that has so deeply affected me.”
Elizabeth Tabish, who has captured the hearts of so many for her brutally honest portrayal of Mary Magdalene was about to quit acting just before The Chosen came along. She had instructed her agent to stop submitting her for roles and had resigned herself to the fact that she would never make it as an actress. She was depressed, self-medicating, and drinking a lot. She truly believed she had no future. She didn’t know what was next for her and she really didn’t care.
But her agent didn’t listen to her request and submitted her to casting agents from The Chosen for consideration anyway. Tabish reluctantly agreed and quickly made a profound discovery.
“I read the scenes for Lilly and for Mary and there was this sort of uncanny connection,” Tabish vividly remembers. “At the time I called it real spooky but I realized it was really special. And I was able to sort of use my own pain in order to connect with this character. I accepted the role (Mary Magdalene) and I was able to kind of use it for this cathartic sort of healing to let go of a lot of my own pain. The redeemed Mary has been so much more fun to play because she is a hopeful character.”
Tabish is quick to point out that her character has really impacted her faith in a highly positive way.
“She (Mary Magdalene) has been sort of a role model for me throughout these years,” she points out. “ I don’t think I realized it at the time but I’m recognizing this now, but it’s like in her growth, I want to meet her there. I want to grow myself. I want to mature in this season, especially because she’s using a lot of her past and pain to recognize it in other people, to be able to help them and give them good advice and guidance. It’s been a very strange gift to be able to use my own past and pain to play this character, which is connecting to so many people, that so many people can identify with. This really sweet, unexpected thing happened that was planned by God. I couldn’t have written it any better myself. It just feels so special.”
Episodes 1 and 2 of Season 3 of The Chosen opens in theaters nationwide this Friday, November 18th. Tickets can be purchased here.
Watch a trailer for Season 3 of ‘The Chosen’:
