Actor Jonathan Roumie, best known for his portrayal of Jesus in the global hit series The Chosen, is opening up about the profound spiritual impact the show is having on viewers- including stories of lifelong atheists choosing to follow Christ after watching the series.
Appearing recently on The View, Roumie recounted receiving messages from two individuals who described themselves as lifelong atheists with no prior interest in God or Christianity. According to Roumie, both were unexpectedly drawn into The Chosen after someone shared the series with them.
"I picked two different people, and both of these people that wrote to me happened to have been lifelong atheists," Roumie shared. "Somehow somebody sent them the show and all of a sudden, it's like that first episode just kind of grabs hold of you."
Roumie explained that what began as casual viewing quickly turned into something deeper. The individuals went on to explore Scripture, attend church, and ultimately commit their lives to Christ. Reflecting on these stories, Roumie emphasized the quiet but relentless nature of God's pursuit.
"If God wants to, He'll find you," Roumie said. "He'll follow you. He'll go after you."
Beyond audience impact, Roumie also spoke candidly about the personal spiritual weight of portraying Jesus, particularly as the series prepares to depict the crucifixion in its upcoming sixth season. He described filming those scenes as among the most challenging experiences of his life.
"It's one of the hardest things I've ever had to do," Roumie said, noting that embodying Christ's suffering demanded far more than physical performance. "It required emotional, mental, and spiritual weight." He shared that he prayed specifically for insight into Christ's suffering while preparing for the role. "I asked God to allow me some sense of what that would be like, and He didn't disappoint."
Roumie made clear that his faith is not separate from his craft, but central to it. He credits his personal relationship with Christ as essential to the authenticity viewers experience on screen.
"I don't think it would have the same kind of authenticity," he said. "What I bring to the role is my relationship to Christ, my relationship with Jesus and my love for Him." That faith, Roumie added, has shaped not only his performance but his life. "It's made me want to love people."
As The Chosen continues to reach audiences around the world, Roumie's reflections underscore why the series resonates so deeply. More than a television production, the show has become a spiritual doorway for many-inviting skeptics, seekers, and believers alike into a fresh encounter with the story of Jesus.
For Roumie, stories of conversion are not about acclaim or success, but confirmation that God continues to work through unexpected means, using storytelling to reach hearts in ways arguments never could.
