watching Philip (played by a Persian man) teach Matthew how to properly cut a pomegranate (the way I was taught from my Persian dad) is something that can actually be so personal
A new behind-the-scenes video gives fans a look at the upcoming fifth season of THE CHOSEN.
The video shows THE CHOSEN’s cast and crew during a rare six-day workweek as they film a large scene with all 12 disciples.
“In this show, we’ve got a lot more to keep track of than the average show,” THE CHOSEN’s creator, Dallas Jenkins, explained.
Austin Reed Alleman, who plays Nathaniel, said he enjoyed the scene — “Everyone has different perspectives, and I kind of love it…that’s what makes great writing and great drama and makes people want to follow these characters.”
While the disciples’ actors worked together on their scene, THE CHOSEN’s leading ladies — Elizabeth Tabish, Amy Bailey and Amber Shana Williams — were also enjoying their time together.
“For me, it feels like every scene is better and more intense and sort of overwhelming,” Tabish said.
Williams added, “I got to spend a lot of time with the girls this season. We get to see them interact a bit more, which we never got to see, and that felt nice because we keep each other laughing.”
THE CHOSEN’s fifth season will explore the prophecy that foretold Jesus’ presence on earth.
“There is a prophecy about the messiah. There’s a prophecy about specifically a colt, and so Jesus is making a statement by riding in on a donkey, He’s making an obvious statement of who He is,” Jenkins told Variety. “He is a fulfillment of a prophecy and for Jews at that time as you saw when Simon Zee [Alaa Safi] and Matthew go to get the donkey and they reference that scripture, and the guy’s like, ‘Oh, I get it. OK, this is for the Lord.’”
Jenkins continued, “And in fact, in the Season 5 premiere — I’ll just give you a little minor spoiler — but religious leaders confront Jesus as He’s about to enter the city, and they say: ‘Please don’t do this. It’s going to cause a lot of division, and it’s going to cause the Sanhedrin to act out against you.’ They’re like, ‘We know what you’re doing. By riding in on a donkey, referencing the prophecy, it couldn’t be more clear what you’re trying to say.’”
Reza Diako, who plays Philip, recently talked to Collider about his character’s journey as the show moves into Season 5.
“Season 5 was so different,” he explained. “Season 4, for me, is Philip being confronted with his old traumas. He’s kind of been in pursuit of a father figure in John the Baptist, so the death of the father has been a bit difficult. But in Season 5, he’s like, ‘Oh, okay. So I dealt with that pain, and now it’s time to celebrate this divine father when we arrive into the city.’”
ESTRADA-VASQUEZ, MIGUEL / 35 / BI / CRIME OC / HIGH ACTIVITY / FC: KEVIN ALEJANDRO / open-minded. honest. caring. a goodhearted, emt & firefighter raised in a life of crime that he tries time and time again to separate himself from, despite being continually pulled back into it for his medical prowess. (prev. fehlicitaes) INFO.
CALDBECK, CARYS / 25 / BI / FANDOMLESS OC / HIGH ACTIVITY / FC: JENNA BOYD / eccentric. talkative. cautious. an eccentric girl raised up by her grandparents & left to take care of her narcissistic, agoraphobic mother at the expense of her own freedom, who doesn't have many friends as a result & talks too much, but wishes to see the world one day. (prev. likcparis) INFO.
ROSSI, DIANA / 30 / BI / CRIME OC / HIGH ACTIVITY / FC: BETTY GILPIN / resourceful. brave. passionate. a hitwoman for hire who was raised up in an mafia family in new york & tried to get away from that lifestyle only to still wind up doing crime to make ends meet. (prev. fehlicitaes) INFO.
RED DEAD REDEMPTION:
ADLER, SADIE / 31-39 / BI / CANON / MEDIUM ACTIVITY / FC: LAUREN GERMAN / brave. impulsive. resilient. (prev. carnraged) INFO.
Reparto: Jake Gyllenhaal, Dar Salim, Antony Starr, Alexander Ludwig, Emily Beecham, Fariba Sheikhan, Sean Sagar, Bobby Schofield, Jason Wong, Reza Diako
Productora: Coproducción Reino Unido-Estados Unidos-España; STXfilms, Fresco Film Services, Toff Guy Films. Distribuidora: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Amazon Prime Video
Tehran Season 1 will be on Apple TV+ at September 25, 2020
Drama, Thriller | TV Series (2020– )
An Israeli Mossad agent infiltrates Iran. But when her mission goes wrong, there’s no way out.
A new espionage thriller from “Fauda” writer Moshe Zonder that tells the thrilling story of a Mossad agent who goes deep undercover on a dangerous mission in Tehran that places her and everyone around her in dire jeopardy.
The series is created by Moshe Zonder, Dana Eden and Maor Kohn, and directed by Daniel Syrkin. Omri Shenhar serves as writer alongside Zonder. The series is produced by Donna and Shula Productions in association with Paper Plane Productions, with the participation of Cineflix Rights and Cosmote TV.
Tehran will premiere globally on Apple TV+ with the first three episodes on September 25, and new episodes will premiere weekly, every Friday.
Creators: Dana Eden, Maor Kohn, Omri Shenhar, Daniel Syrkin, Moshe Zonder
Director: Daniel Syrkin
Writers: Dana Eden, Maor Kohn, Omri Shenhar, Daniel Syrkin, Moshe Zonder
Stars: Niv Sultan, Shaun Toub, Menashe Noy, Shervin Alenabi, Navid Negahban, Liraz Charhi, Reza Diako, Dan Mor
Since the first episode of The Chosen, the ending of Jesus’ story has always loomed large. And with the highly anticipated fourth season just around the corner, creator Dallas Jenkins wants audiences to know that things are about to get intense.
“We can’t escape that the story is getting bigger,” he says. “The stakes are huge.” Adds Katherine Warnock, vice president of original content at The Chosen: “This [season] is the reality of the consequences of what [Jesus and His disciples] have been living, what they’ve been building.”
Season 4 begins with John the Baptizer (David Amito) in King Herod’s (Paul Ben-Victor) dungeon prison and, according to Jenkins, a reveal of what led to that moment. In addition to King Herod, new faces are introduced such as Herod’s wife Herodias (Shereen Khan). Major biblical moments also come to life, like Jesus’ (Jonathan Roumie) childhood friend Lazarus (Demetrios Troy) rising from the dead. What that post-resurrection Lazarus looks like is something Troy is excited for fans to see — among the questions he hopes they ask is “Who is that man? What did he experience? How does he interact with this man who’s his friend but also the Son of God?”
(Credit: The Chosen)
Lazarus isn’t the only character with big changes ahead. “I love the fact that Matthew is always trying to be the best version of himself,” says Paras Patel of his tax collector turned disciple character. “Although there are many challenges, you continue to see Matthew put himself through it, to learn from and become a stronger person.”
Another, more cosmetic change comes with the character of Philip as Reza Diako takes over the role. And the distinctive looks of some characters have also been revamped — even determined holy man Rabbi Shmuel (Shaan Sharma) gets an upgrade. “Shmuel is now part of the Sanhedrin, which is the house of judges, so he got new clothes. [It’s] nicer to have money,” previews costume designer Leila Heise.
While the new episodes are certain to be emotional, Jenkins promises they won’t be all doom and gloom. That balance in storytelling has always been important to the showrunner, who is very aware of how often to let the weighty subject matter dominate. “Humor is an important part of bringing your emotions to the surface,” he says, referencing a key way the series has avoided becoming too serious: countering the drama with doses of comedy, be it Matthew’s awkwardness or gentle ribbing among the Apostles.
Jenkins remains firm that a seven-season run is still the plan for the series. “I think this whole project never stops surprising us,” he says. “The cool thing is that the story from the Bible is the greatest story ever told. It has a progression.” Speaking of progression, “We are approaching Holy Week by the end [of the season]. So we cover a lot of ground, a lot of time.” Just like Jesus and His followers, we’ll put our faith in our leader and keep tuning in until the end.