Jonathan Roumie reveals 'intense' spiritual toll of filming Christ's crucifixion for 'The Chosen'

Actor says portraying Jesus' final hours left a permanent mark on his life and faith

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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Actor Jonathan Roumie, who plays Jesus in the hit faith-based drama 'The Chosen', opened up about the grueling process of filming the crucifixion scenes for Season 6 of the show. Roumie, a devout Catholic, said the experience took a heavy physical, emotional and spiritual toll, as he asked God to let him experience just a hint of what Jesus went through. The actor suffered injuries on set and described the entire cast becoming 'trauma-bonded' through the emotional weight of the scenes, likening it to 'PTSD'. Despite the darkness of the scenes, Roumie's ultimate goal is to point viewers toward the character of God and show that Jesus is 'accessible' and 'worth getting to know'.

Why it matters

Roumie's portrayal of Jesus in 'The Chosen' has reached millions of viewers worldwide, making his experience filming the crucifixion scenes particularly impactful. The show aims to bring the Gospels to life in a relatable way, and Roumie's willingness to physically and emotionally immerse himself in the role highlights the intense spiritual toll that can come with such an undertaking.

The details

To prepare for the role, Roumie said he asked God to let him experience just a fraction of what Jesus went through on the cross. This resulted in several injuries on set, including a painful shoulder injury and a head injury that left him with 'cervical issues' for months afterward. Roumie offered up this pain to God, praying it would touch others and be used for God's glory. The entire cast also became 'trauma-bonded' through the emotional weight of the crucifixion scenes, with Roumie describing the experience as akin to 'PTSD'.

  • Roumie portrayed the events of Palm Sunday and Holy Week in Season 5, released last year.
  • Season 6, which will be released in the fall, centers on the arrest, trial, and crucifixion of Christ as depicted in the Gospels.

The players

Jonathan Roumie

An actor who portrays Jesus in the hit faith-based drama 'The Chosen'.

The Chosen

A popular faith-based drama series that aims to bring the Gospels to life in a relatable way.

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What they’re saying

“It was a one-of-a-kind experience. It's the hardest thing I've ever done in my life — both professionally and personally as a human being.”

— Jonathan Roumie (Fox News Digital)

“I can act less … and offer all the pain and the sufferings. What we do is bring it to the altar of sacrifice and say, 'Lord, if you can use this for souls … I offer this pain and suffering … My goal throughout that was to offer that for the benefit of souls and people that are suffering and by that happening, it can be sanctified and used for God's glory.”

— Jonathan Roumie (Fox News Digital)

What’s next

Season 6 of 'The Chosen', featuring Roumie's portrayal of the crucifixion, is set to be released in the fall.

The takeaway

Roumie's intense experience filming the crucifixion scenes for 'The Chosen' highlights the profound spiritual impact that can come from authentically depicting the life of Jesus. Despite the physical and emotional toll, Roumie's goal is to use his portrayal to draw viewers closer to the compassionate and accessible nature of Christ.