Jonathan Roumie Discusses How Faith Played a Role in His Casting as Jesus Christ in ‘The Chosen: Last Supper’

He can be my personal Savior

I recently encountered Jesus, at least in the form of handsome actor Jonathan Roumie, who is currently portraying Jesus of Nazareth in “The Chosen: Last Supper.”

This historical drama, viewed through the perspectives of those who knew him, has captivated 250 million viewers and amassed nearly 20 million followers on social media—now expanding into theatrical releases.

So, cocktails, a screening, and dinner—definitely a step up from Beersheba—I found myself seated with Jesus at the Crosby Street Hotel in downtown Manhattan, thanks to a private showing arranged by Cinema Society’s Andrew Saffir, who organizes special film invites.

In this retelling, Israel welcomes Jesus as their king, while his disciples eagerly await his crowning. However, the region’s religious and political leaders are determined to ensure this Passover marks Jesus’ final days.

And then Jonathan, in the role of Jesus, joins me. Sporting a well-groomed beard and a very contemporary look—much like today’s bicycle delivery kid delivering a corned beef on rye—he arrived dressed in a fitted black leather motorcycle jacket adorned with metal accents.

This isn’t your typical schlumpy Jesus!

“I was a nobody,” he recounted. “Poor, struggling, hit rock bottom. I could barely scrape together enough to pay my rent. I juggled six or seven side jobs while trying to act. I’d meet casting agents for maybe 20 minutes, but nothing ever came of it.”

Complete faith in Him

“I was terrified. Out of funds. Out of food.

“As a believer, I looked up to God and thought, ‘I need to surrender.’ Four hours later—a simply unbelievable coincidence—there were four checks totaling $1,100 in my mailbox.

“It was a Saturday morning in Maine. As I looked upward, I told Him, ‘I surrender.’ I asked, ‘God, guide me on the right path.’ At that moment, I felt I was no longer alone, as if He had said, ‘I have your back.’ I completely, wholeheartedly surrendered.

“I was filled with fear but knew that I would find joy in this role—I asked Him, ‘Should I keep going? I have no strength. I’m yours.’

“I was born in New York and raised Catholic. In the Bible, John 11:25 reads: ‘I am the resurrection and the life.’ My personal prayer has always been: ‘I am the way, the truth, the life. Whoever believes in me shall never die.’

“I simply needed to lean on my faith and trust Him. I had hit rock bottom—no hope, no future, no job, no money. I had to learn to trust Him. I prayed, and I even made a trip to Israel.”

Faith has its rewards

“I had been anticipating a job for a while. People promised they’d send my checks, saying they owed me money for months. However, nothing arrived. Where were those checks?

“Perhaps that’s why I was cast in this role while others weren’t. I realized that I had been destined to play Him because, at 14 in Dallas, I had previously taken on that same role.”

Then, our perhaps fictional Jesus of Nazareth—complete with his black leather motorcycle jacket—made his way to the gathering filled with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and guests who remembered their jewelry but skipped church that week, to demonstrate how it’s done.

I absolutely adored Jonathan Jesus Roumie. Next time I see him, he might even be sporting stained-glass contacts.

Only in the movies, kids, only in the movies.