By Laura BennettWednesday 1 Feb 2023Hope AfternoonsMoviesReading Time: 3 minutes
After launching the season in cinemas around the world to sell-out sessions, The Chosen’s third season will also wrap on the big screen, bringing its epic conclusion to audiences on February 3 and 4.
Dramatising the life of Jesus and his disciples, The Chosen’s latest season has continued to humanise the experience of the Bible’s ancient characters with themes about marital unrest, shame, grief and the role of women in Jesus’ time.
Elizabeth Tabish who stars as Mary Magdalene has seen her character resonate with audiences as Mary deals with the extremes of her past and struggles to come to terms with how Jesus’ continually forgives them.
“In this season [Mary Magdalene’s] called out,” Elizabeth told Hope 103.2.
“‘Jesus forgave you and you won’t let it go, you won’t let your past fully go’.
“[Mary’s] a good example of what it looks like for real growth: it’s two steps forward one step back.
“She’s trying, and then sometimes her shame will bubble up and affect the way she sees things – she’s wondering if she really belongs there.
“Ultimately she’s reminded that she’s loved and she does belong there, and once that get’s through to her she’s able to reach out to other people and have the confidence to give the advice that they actually need.”
In recovering from our own struggles with shame Elizabeth said, “I’d like to say that time helps, but I don’t think that’s necessarily true”.
“I think it’s real self-forgiveness as well,” Elizabeth said.
“It’s knowing that you are loved, that everyone makes mistakes and goes through dark and difficult chapters and that God is with you through all of that.”
“It’s knowing that you are loved, that everyone makes mistakes and goes through dark and difficult chapters and that God is with you through all of that,” – Elizabeth Tabish, The Chosen
Noah James who plays Jesus’ disciple Andrew has had his own growth curve in season three, which has largely been about building trust in his relationship to Jesus and being able to let go of his constant concerns.
“Coming into this season it’s really a lot about trying to give over control, really trying to surrender,” Noah told Hope 103.2.
“That is a life long journey of ups and downs and [for Andrew] there’s a level of just letting go – and that very much comes into play in the finale as you’ll see.”
From the first episode right up until the end – which we’re told involves the series largest scene to date with the feeding of the five thousand – season three has been about Jesus’ invitation to “come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest”.
“To get to the rest there’s a lot of burden’s that come up,” Noah said.
“It’s one thing to say, ‘I’m following Jesus’, but what would that life actually look like?
“It’s not easy – [life] just doesn’t become easy – it’s filled with a lot of challenges and we did our best to bring that to the screen.”
Noah in fact praises the efforts of co-star Lara Silva who plays Eden, for the work she does in telling he story of a mother who loses an unborn child.
“I don’t think people watching the show knew that that was something we would be into, but I think it can be cathartic to a lot of the viewers and I’m just really proud to be a part of the show.”
The Chosen season three finale will be in select cinemas February 3 and 4.