‘The Chosen’ Season 6 Teaser Divides Viewers Over Angels Resembling Native American Warriors

A new teaser for "The Chosen" Season 6 has sparked debate over its depiction of angels, with some viewers welcoming the creative approach and others questioning the warriors' appearance and possible theological implications.

The clip portrays Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane signaling angelic warriors to stand down as he allows himself to be arrested. Their weapons, clothing and styling have drawn comparisons to Native American warriors, prompting contrasting reactions online.

According to a November 2 report by ChurchLeaders' Dale Chamberlain, conservative commentator Jon Root challenged the depiction, asking: "Angels are Native American warriors according to The Chosen?"

Other commenters accused the series of imposing contemporary diversity concerns on the biblical narrative. Some went further, speculating that the characters reflected teachings associated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Those claims remain viewers' interpretations. The supplied ChurchLeaders report does not establish that the designs were intended to represent LDS beliefs or identify the angelic figures as Nephites.

Not all viewers objected. ChurchLeaders also reported enthusiastic responses to the teaser, with some welcoming its depiction of heavenly warriors. The disagreement highlights the challenge facing biblical dramas: visual choices can communicate theological meanings to audiences, even when the filmmakers' intentions have not been explained.

The scene has a clear biblical point of reference. In Matthew 26:52-54, Jesus tells the disciple who draws his sword that he could appeal to his Father for more than twelve legions of angels. He nevertheless submits to arrest so that the Scriptures may be fulfilled. The passage mentions the availability of angelic help without describing the angels' clothing, ethnicity or appearance.

That distinction places two questions at the centre of the discussion: how effectively the scene portrays Jesus' voluntary submission, and how viewers should assess details supplied by a screen adaptation.

The excerpt provided does not include a response from creator Dallas Jenkins or the production team explaining the designs. It also ends before the report's second page, leaving any further explanation or responses outside the supplied material.

Watch the teaser: "The Chosen" Season 6 clip on X.