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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Celebrities devider 'The Chosen' TV series brings Bible to life; PH ranks 3rd in viewership outside US

'The Chosen' TV series brings Bible to life; PH ranks 3rd in viewership outside US

Published Oct 4, 2024 07:00 am

“We love our Filipino fans, as the Philippines is one of our most supportive countries in the world,” said Dallas Jenkins, creator, writer, and director of the hit series “The Chosen,” in August 2020. 

“The Chosen” is now in its fourth season and the Philippines ranks third globally in viewership outside the US, following Brazil and Mexico. 

Its success in the Philippines is attributed to Filipinos not only being devout Christians traditionally, celebrating the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, but are also “teleserye” watchers.

S1 still – Jesus and the children at the wedding at Cana.jpg

S2 still – Simon, Jesus, John, and Matthew.jpg

S1 still – Mary Magdalene and the disciples at the wedding in Cana.jpg

S2 still – Mary Magdalene, Ramah (Fil-AM actress Yasmine Al-Bustami, Tamar, Mother Mary, and Jesus.jpg

S2 still – Simon and Andrew.jpg

"The Chosen" 

“The Chosen” has captured the hearts of millions around the globe, not just for its compelling storytelling, but also for its innovative, crowd-funded production model.

From its inception, “The Chosen” has defied expectations, offering a fresh and humanizing portrayal of the life of Jesus Christ (played by Jonathan Roumie). 

“It has not only made the Bible come alive in new and powerful ways but has also changed the way faith-based media is funded and produced,” said Teresa Tunay, CBCP/CINEMA.

What sets “The Chosen” apart from other biblical adaptations is its deeply human approach to the characters in the Gospels. 

Rather than portraying Jesus and His disciples as distant or larger-than-life figures, “The Chosen” focuses on their humanity, their struggles, and their relationships with one another. 

Creator Dallas Jenkins sought to depict these biblical figures as relatable, flawed people whose encounters with Jesus transformed their lives in profound and personal ways.

For example, Simon Peter (Shahar Isaac) isn’t just a faithful follower from the start, he is a struggling fisherman grappling with personal and financial hardships. Mary Magdalene’s (Elizabeth Tabish) journey from darkness to redemption is portrayed with nuance and sensitivity, helping viewers connect with her on a deeply emotional level. Even Jesus is portrayed in a way that emphasizes His relatability as a person who laughs, weeps, and shares meals with His friends.

The crowd-funding success of “The Chosen” highlights the deep hunger people have for authentic, faith-based content that resonates with their beliefs and experiences. It’s a powerful example of how film-making can thrive outside the traditional system—and succeed when people rally behind a shared vision.

Since its launch, “The Chosen” has been translated into over 75 different languages that are available for certain seasons. 

For viewers looking to watch Seasons 1, 2, and 3 in one particular language, there are currently 26 dubbed and 36 subtitled languages available. Seasons 1-4 are available as a whole in 16 different subtitled languages.

“The Chosen” app, which allows anyone to watch the series for free, has made it accessible to audiences far beyond traditional Christian circles. This global reach speaks to the universal appeal of the show’s themes of hope, redemption, and the power of faith.

Watch all of the episodes and the latest features for free at https://www.thechosen.tv/en-us and on “The Chosen” app.

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