'The Chosen' Director Reveals Disagreement with Jonathan Roumie that Changed Season 6
The director of "The Chosen" says he has been pleasantly surprised by the series’ popularity across Christian denominations, although he acknowledged that differences between Protestants and Catholics recently sparked a disagreement with the show’s lead actor.
Director Dallas Jenkins made the comments during a two-hour interview on the podcast "Within Reason," hosted by Alex J. O’Connor, a self-described agnostic and fan of the series who peppered Jenkins with questions ranging from the show’s origins and specific plot details to the creative decisions behind its portrayal of Scripture.
“It’s partly a mystery to me as to why the show has resonated so strongly with so many different Christian traditions,” said Jenkins, the series’ creator. He noted that the show is even “becoming popular in Israel – even among people who don't believe in Jesus, because they're so impressed by the Jewishness of the show.”
Jenkins surmised that the series’ broad appeal stems from its focus on the story of Jesus rather than denominational differences, adding that “the majority of Christian traditions agree on the historicity” of Christ.
O’Connor then pointed out that directors and actors sometimes disagree over creative decisions and asked Jenkins whether that had ever happened between him and Jonathan Roumie, a Catholic. Jenkins is an evangelical Protestant.
Roumie portrays Jesus.
Jenkins responded that such disagreements are rare but said the most significant example involved dialogue in Season 6, which launches in November and spotlights the crucifixion.
“We've never gotten to that point,” where Roumie refused to deliver a line as written, Jenkins said.
“I will say this: In Season 6, the crucifixion, we had the most of that that we've ever had.”
Jenkins added that the disagreement centered on Jesus’ dialogue from the cross.
“My co-writers and I had written Jesus talking on the cross in multiple ways – like somewhat casually. At one point, He sees one of the characters … and makes kind of a light-hearted reference. And so it wasn't a theological issue. But Jonathan was extremely uncomfortable with the notion that Jesus, going through that much suffering, would … say something casual or light-hearted.”
The team also sought feedback from the series’ Catholic advisor, David Guffey, priest of the Congregation of Holy Cross in Santa Monica, Calif. Guffey, too, had concerns.
Jenkins summarized Guffey’s concerns this way: “This is not reverent enough, and we believe [not] accurate enough to capture what we believe is a very, very key part, if not the key part, of His passion, of His crucifixion.”
Roumie was outspoken in ways he never had been, Jenkins said.
“This is the first he actually said to me – he goes, ‘I've never been this uncomfortable,’ and so then we just spent hours back and forth. … Some of it I was already planning on trimming because I was like, look, ‘I just wanted to see how this felt, but let's cut it, let's trim it down.’ And so we finally got to a place where we were both comfortable.”
Jenkins emphasized that the two men generally see eye to eye on how Jesus should be portrayed.
“For the most part, we were in lockstep.”
Season 6 of The Chosen launches on Prime Video Nov. 15, with the season finale – depicting the crucifixion – scheduled for a theatrical release in March 2027.
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Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.
Originally published August 18, 2026.
