The actor reveals the pressure and challenges he faces playing the Savior in the hit streaming series about the life of Jesus.
If you are fan of The Chosen who just cannot wait for the release of Season 4 next month, this new production about the star of that show may be just what the doctor ordered. Entitled Jonathan and Jesus, it is a four-part docuseries out now on Amazon Prime Video that gives a behind-the-scenes look at the life of Jonathan Roumie since his rapid rise to fame a few years ago.
Produced by the Hollywood studio Lionsgate, the program - according to a synopsis - reveals how in order "To play the role of Jesus on TV (and survive the experience)," the 49-year-old New Yorker "must seek out who Jesus really was, and discover His impact on the world today." In order to do that, filmmakers follow him on travels throughout the U.S. and Europe - including to the Vatican for an audience with Pope Francis - and
film Roumie as he interviews some leading lights of the faith, including Pastors Francis Chan and Greg Laurie.
Roumie, a self-described born-again Catholic, shares his own journey as well, stating in the trailer that his life "has gotten pretty insane the last year," with fans constantly approaching him, some people actually calling him Jesus in public, and others saying that they visualize him when they pray. In a moment of what seems to be unguarded candor, he asks rhetorically, "How do I not be this when I don't want to be? How do I turn it off?"
His friend Dallas Jenkins, the creator/director of The Chosen and the man who cast him in the show's leading role, is also executive producer of this documentary. He appears in it as well, as does fellow Christian filmmaker Jon Erwin, who directed Roumie in last year's hit film Jesus Revolution, which was based on a book by the same title from the aforementioned Greg Laurie.
Jonathan and Jesus is available now on Amazon Prime Video, the subscription-based streaming service. The four episodes each runs less than an hour and the trailer below will give you a better feel for what to expect. As to The Chosen, Season 4 releases in theaters starting on February 1st, as we previously reported, and you can purchase tickets to a theater in your area via this link to the website of distributor Fathom Events.