Actor Jonathan Roumie recently shared insights into the profound emotional and spiritual challenges he faced while filming the crucifixion scenes for Season 6 of the popular series, The Chosen. Speaking at ChosenCon in Charlotte, North Carolina, he described the experience as the hardest of his life, stating, “It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life — both professionally and personally as a human being.”
In Season 5, Roumie portrayed key events like Palm Sunday and Holy Week, but the upcoming season, set for release in fall 2024, focuses on the arrest, trial, and crucifixion of Jesus, as depicted in the Gospels. For Roumie, a committed Catholic, stepping into the role during these pivotal moments took a heavy toll on his physical and emotional well-being.
To prepare for this challenging role, Roumie sought divine guidance. He revealed, “I spent a lot of time asking the Lord to show me what he wanted people to see and experience.” This dedication led to some intense moments on set, including a painful shoulder injury sustained on his first day of filming. “Oh, that’s the shoulder I’m going to be carrying the cross on. Okay, you got my message,” he humorously remarked during a conversation with Fr. Mike Schmitz at the event.
The physical demands of the role did not end there. Roumie also suffered a head injury that resulted in “cervical issues” that lingered for months. He noted how he offered up this pain to God, hoping it would resonate with audiences. “I can act less … and offer all the pain and the sufferings,” he expressed. He emphasized the importance of using his experiences for a higher purpose, stating, “If you can use this for souls … I offer this pain and suffering.”
The emotional weight of the production affected not only Roumie but the entire cast, who he described as becoming “trauma-bonded” through their shared experiences while filming the crucifixion scenes. He compared it to experiencing symptoms similar to PTSD, admitting, “It continues to affect me in ways that I did not anticipate.”
Roumie is currently collaborating with actors Mark Wahlberg and Chris Pratt for the Hallow prayer app’s Lent challenge. He reflected on how this year’s Easter will be uniquely significant for him after portraying the Passion. “It’s probably going to be an intense Holy Week for me … the first Holy Week that I will have experienced since recreating the Passion,” he said. “That was a deeply intense experience for me, one which I’m still processing.”
Despite the grim nature of the scenes, Roumie remains focused on delivering a message of hope and love through his portrayal of Jesus. He aims for viewers to understand that Jesus is deeply invested in their lives, stating, “He is accessible to people, that everything he went through, he went through on behalf of all of humanity.”
Roumie’s dedication to the role is rooted in a personal journey that saw him at a low point before his casting in The Chosen. Just months prior, he faced financial difficulties and was struggling to find work. “I got on my knees, and I prayed,” he recounted. This moment of surrender to God marked a turning point in his life. “When I did that, my life, from that moment, has never been the same.”
Since that pivotal moment, Roumie has since become a prominent figure in the series, which has reached at least 250 million viewers worldwide. His commitment to portraying Jesus authentically reflects both his faith and the connection he seeks to foster between the audience and the character of Jesus.
As Roumie continues to navigate the emotional landscape of his role, his insights offer a compelling glimpse into the dedication and passion that go into portraying such a significant figure in history and faith.
