The Chosen press photos. CC BY-SA 4.0.
CV NEWS FEED // Some might think playing the lead character in a popular TV show would lead to a big ego; but for actor Jonathan Roumie, who plays Jesus in “The Chosen,” his work is more of a humbling experience and a ministry than anything else.
In an interview with Columbia, the Knights of Columbus’ publication, Roumie spoke about his faith, his life, and his acting career.
Perhaps most notable in the interview was Roumie’s expressions of humility, given that he is the main character in a show that has been streamed over 500 million times worldwide.
“[Playing Jesus has] been humbling and transformative and profound. Tiring at times, too, and occasionally overwhelming, but ultimately a privilege and an honor that I hope to continue to steward by the grace of God and with his help,” Roumie told Columbia.
Roumie said he was baptized Greek Orthodox, but growing up in the suburbs of New York City, his family switched to a Catholic church. According to Roumie “it just kind of stuck,” and he continued to grow in faith throughout his childhood and adult years.
“Practicing my faith made me realize the importance of prayer and of the sacraments,” he said:
When you’re really honest with God about your struggles and hopes, and surrender your life to him, he will answer your prayer in a way you didn’t anticipate, but very specifically. Early on in my career, for example, I prayed that somehow I could marry my faith with my career. Years later, I’m doing it in a very literal way, and it’s like a dream come true.
Roumie told Columbia that The Chosen’s effect on viewers isn’t surprising to him.
“From the beginning, I knew that this show had the potential to impact people in a way that went beyond the average role or TV show, and that people would really connect to it,” he said. “And then once we started releasing the series and getting feedback, it became clear that God is certainly using this to minister to other people, to draw people to himself.”
Roumie also said he’s heard stories about the show prompting people to come back to the Catholic Church.
“[W]ith The Chosen, it’s become a ministry in a lot of ways, and I don’t take the role lightly,” he told Columbia:
The sacredness of this character has rubbed off on me, and it’s shaped what kinds of scripts I consider. I feel compelled to contribute to stories that showcase the light and God and love. I try to find stories that make people smile and bring out the light.
Roumie also spoke about his support of the pro-life cause, as well as his initiation into the Knights of Columbus last year. He said it’s proving difficult to be involved with the Knights and the Church because of his acting role as Jesus.
“For instance, I used to be a eucharistic minister and a lector, and I volunteered as a sponsor in RCIA and a number of other ministries,” he said:
But I can’t participate in those things in the same way anymore because it becomes something different, drawing attention to me in a way that I don’t want it to. It’s the same thing as a Knight: I would like to participate in a traditional sense, but I haven’t found how to do that just yet.
To conclude the interview, Roumie addressed himself to his brother Knights. “Just know that I’m praying for you and the people you serve,” he said. “I’m also praying that the noise of culture not get in the way of your mission, because I think it’s easy for a lot of people to get distracted right now.”
“I feel compelled to share that, I don’t know why,” he continued. “Maybe because I have to do that a lot in my own line of work… So, I have to get really good at tuning that stuff out. And to just keep Jesus at the center and his mama right beside him — serving the Lord with all my soul, all my heart and all my strength. Amen.”
