The fifth season of the successful series The Chosen It is officially released in theaters throughout the United States.
The Chosen: The Last Supper It focuses on the events of Holy Week, beginning with the triumphal entry of Jesus in Jerusalem and ending with the betrayal of Judas in the Getsemaní orchard.
Receive the main news of ACI Press by WhatsApp and Telegram
It is increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social networks. Subscribe to our free channels today:
The first part of the fifth season premieres in theaters on March 28, the second part will premiere on April 4 and the third on April 11.
The actor Jonathan Rouumie, who plays Jesus in the series, shared about his experience portraying historical events such as the last dinner and the sink of the feet, especially as a Catholic who celebrates these moments every year during the triduum.
“For me, it was living the liturgy,” he told CNA – Ewtn News agency – in an interview with La Prensa on March 19, during the premiere of the fifth season in Dallas, Texas (United States). “I try to replicate as well as possible the authenticity of these scenes based on my liturgical experience.”
When talking about these beautiful moments in the history of salvation, he said: “It will be an experience of impressive beauty. We present it in a unique way, but with a great impact.”
He added: “I hope you have the same feeling as when we did, because there were times when many were left with tears in our eyes just after the scene, or during it. It is really beautiful.”
The premiere of the new season occurs during Lent, culminating with the Easter Triduum and the celebration of Easter. Roumie expects the fifth season to offer viewers a more vibrant and intense Holy Week experience, a more vivid experience, which can see and feel.
Roumie said that during this time, in which we read about these important moments of Holy Week at Mass every week, spectators can see “a complete representation of how this moment was. I do not know if someone has covered it with so much detail as us, and I think that for me it was essential to contribute all my potential, especially as Catholic.”
The actor shared that he even led his spiritual director to be with him while filming the last dinner and the garden of Getsemaní.
“I just wanted to be armed with the greatest possible spiritual force,” he said. “He is a priest, so he officiated Mass for me that day. I felt full of prayer, so to speak, before entering the scene.”
Roumie is now preparing for another incredibly important scene: the crucifixion, which will be shown in season 6.
The actor shared that he recently received the script and while Roumie has been traveling, he has been trying to read “different reference sources” about passion.
He has also been studying Turin’s holy shroud to learn more about “crucifixion techniques and what Jesus really had to happen.”
“Learning from brands on that shroud, how was crucifixion physically and why I must prepare mentally and spiritually to recreate it. I do not expect it eagerly, but I trust that the Lord will help me overcome it in one way or another, and I hope to continue learning more and fall in love with Jesus as a result.”
Translated and adapted by the ACI Press team. Originally published in CNA.
Francesca Purchio Fenton
Francesca Pollio Fenton is responsible for social networks of Catholic News Agency. He received his degree in communications with emphasis on digital media from the University of Colorado, in Denver (United States).