'The Chosen' Cast Opens Up about Brutal Filming of Season 6 and the Crucifixion
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On February 25, 2004, The Passion of the Christ hit U.S. theaters and captivated audiences. While the film cost roughly $30 million to make, it earned approximately $622.3 million globally across its original and subsequent releases.
Today, many see The Chosen as the new Passion of the Christ. To date, it’s been watched by an estimated 280 million people worldwide, has over 900 million episode views, and has grossed over $120 million across theater releases. It also holds the record for the most translated season of a streaming series (translated into over 125 languages).
In a recent interview with the cast, the actors believe that this upcoming season, season 6, will be the most powerful yet heart-wrenching. Premiering on November 15th, 2026, on Prime Video, the episode follows Jesus’ last 24 hours on earth, ending with His crucifixion as recounted in the gospels.
While season 5 ended on a dramatic cliffhanger—Jesus being arrested shortly after the Last Supper—this first episode of season 6 is perhaps the most anticipated. During filming of the show in Midlothian, Texas, The Christian Post interviewed cast members Paras Patel, Vanessa Benavente, Shahar Isaac, George Xanthis, Noah James, and Eric Avari. Beyond “acting,” each said that their personal lives have been transformed by playing characters that so closely followed (or abandoned) Jesus.
"I think it's quite a devastating season, but you're going to see certain characters arise in this moment of extreme turmoil and pain, and kind of lead the way. And it's messy. It's not clean. It's a very emotionally charged season," said Patel, who plays Matthew.
"I know a lot of people want to avoid this season because it is a crucifixion," Patel added. "It's gonna be a painful watch … I want to encourage viewers to watch it because you're gonna go deep dive into the way 'The Chosen' navigates the space, and you're actually gonna feel come out with it with a sense of renewed hope and strength."
Even Jonathan Roumie, who portrays Jesus, describes the season as the most demanding work of his career:
“Season 6, about the crucifixion, for me was the most amount of sacrificing of my own identity in a role than anything I’ve ever done previously in The Chosen or anything else in my life. And it extended beyond work, beyond filming and playing a character. I’d be in church, and I’d look at a crucifix, and I’d just start weeping, because I’ve been at that vantage point trying to convince my brain that that was happening to me. And then now it’s like, how do I let go of that? There’s an element of PTSD that is very, very real.”
According to the Christian Post, Roumie even lost 25 pounds to more accurately reflect the crucifixion scene. And for the first time, “the series will also depict the spiritual realm, including angels and demons, as the story approaches the cross.”
Vanessa Benavente, who portrays Mary, the mother of Jesus, even added that the scene “has to be a mother’s worst nightmare, right?” And yet, there is still hope to come. Collectively, the actors call it a "heavy" but "rewarding" season.
Photo Credit: ©5&2 Studios
Originally published November 06, 2026.
