By Francesca Pollio Fenton
5&2 Studios, the production company behind the hit series “The Chosen,” has released a new animated series called “The Chosen Adventures” on Prime Video.
The new series follows 9-year-old Abby and her best friend, Joshua as they navigate life in the city of Capernaum. When the two children meet a wise carpenter – Jesus of Nazareth – he changes the way they see the world.
“The Chosen Adventures” consists of 14 11-minute episodes and features several of the original cast members, including Jonathan Roumie as Jesus, Elizabeth Tabish as Mary Magdalene, Paras Patel as Matthew, and George Xanthis as John, among others.
Joining the cast is Paul Walter Hauser as Sheep, Yvonne Orji as Pigeon, Romy Fay as Abby, Jude Zarzaur as Joshua, Danny Nucci as Abba, and Zehra Fazal as Eema.
Dallas Jenkins, writer, director, and creator of “The Chosen,” serves as an executive producer for the new animated series. He said the inspiration for the new show came from episode three of Season 1 of “The Chosen,” in which Jesus is seen interacting with children throughout the episode.
“Not only did kids love it, but adults loved it because seeing Jesus with the eyes of a child is actually how Jesus often wants you to see him,” he said. “And that episode resonated so strongly that we thought, ‘OK, well, this is an opportunity. What if we did an animated series where Abigail and Joshua, the two main characters from that episode, were featured – and it really allows us to explore a whimsy and a playfulness that you can really dig into with animation in a fresh way.”
Jenkins emphasized that while children will enjoy the show, it is also something adults can enjoy.
“It’s still grounded in truth,” he said. “And I still think that you’ll watch this show and it will still feel real even though yes, there’s a pigeon and a sheep that talk to each other, we always want to ground it in ‘The Chosen’ way.”
He added, “Yes, younger kids are going to appreciate it. But I think it’s going to still feel like ‘The Chosen.’ It’s not going to feel like it’s a departure from who we are.”
As a huge fan of “The Chosen,” Hauser, who will voice the character of Sheep, said “the idea of doing a faith-based program that I was really proud of” was a major factor in what drew him to the role. He hopes the series will leave both children and adults feeling “encouraged or inspired to deepen their relationship with God.”
“You don’t have to come to God with fancy big words and sound like someone you’re not,” he added. “God is not impressed with us trying to dress up our faith in some way. I think it has more to do with authenticity and with the readiness to want to approach God and ask questions and engage with that.”
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