Jordan Ross, who portrays Little James in the globally acclaimed biblical series The Chosen, recently opened up about the deeply personal impact the role has had on his life-both on and off screen.
In a candid video shared on Instagram, Ross reflected on how stepping into the shoes of Little James has helped him better understand himself. "Little James has helped me so much in my own journey of discovering things about myself," he shared, pointing to the profound ways the character has mirrored and affirmed his own experiences.
Little James is one of the more quietly portrayed disciples in The Chosen, yet his story carries significant emotional and theological weight. Unlike many depictions of the apostles, The Chosen presents Little James as someone who lives with ongoing physical weakness-an intentional narrative choice that closely aligns with Ross's own life experience. Rather than portraying disability as something that must be "fixed" to be meaningful, the series invites viewers to wrestle with deeper questions of purpose, calling, and worth in the midst of limitation.
For Ross, that portrayal has been transformative. Playing Little James has given him space to reflect on identity, resilience, and the truth that being chosen by Jesus is not dependent on strength, perfection, or outward ability. The character's journey highlights a powerful spiritual paradox: even those who walk closely with Christ may still carry unanswered questions and unresolved struggles-and yet are fully loved and fully called.
Ross has often spoken about how The Chosen approaches faith with honesty and humanity, allowing its characters to experience doubt, frustration, and vulnerability without diminishing their devotion. In Little James, viewers see a disciple who follows Jesus faithfully while still longing for healing, understanding, and reassurance. That tension has resonated deeply with audiences-and with Ross himself.
By inhabiting this role, Ross says he has learned to extend greater grace to himself, embracing the idea that personal growth often comes not through dramatic change, but through faithfulness in the ordinary and the unresolved. His journey with Little James has become a reminder that God's presence is not reserved for moments of triumph alone, but is often most powerfully encountered in weakness.
As The Chosen continues to reach viewers around the world, Ross's testimony underscores one of the series' central themes: every story matters, every disciple is seen, and every life-regardless of limitation-is invited into God's redemptive work.
