(NewsNation) — Hit CW show “The Chosen,” which depicts the life of Jesus Christ, is returning for a fifth season.
The content of the show’s next season is heavy, with Jonathon Roumie, who plays Jesus, telling “One Nation Under God” host Adrienne Bankert it’s “more intense than season four.”
Still, Roumie and his co-stars try to add humor where they can.
Jesus “had to have a sense of humor. You know, how do you not, with what’s to come? I mean, plus, he was Jewish. They [have] notoriously brilliant senses of humor, just as a culture, great sense, great comedians, great writers, so, so funny and so, I think it just makes sense,” Roumie added.
Though the show will take a darker turn soon, Bankert’s interviews spotlighted a more lighthearted side of the cast.
“[My celebratory meal] is probably a surf-and-turf,” Roumie said, “steak and lobster kind of thing.”
The actors talked about finding confidence in themselves and their portrayals when telling a story as iconic as this.
“Some days, it doesn’t feel achievable, but you just keep going, because, you know, it’s what you’re here to do,” Roumie said. “And what I’m being asked to do.”
Noah James, who plays Andrew in the series, said he found confidence after “years of just trying to live again truthfully.”
“I think the world sort of responds to you in kind,” James explained. “So, if you lead by example, if you try to live your life honestly, I think the world responds to that.”
Elizabeth Tabish, who portrays Mary Magdelene, said the secret to her confidence is “knowing that to be human is to be flawed, and that we’re never going to be perfect.”
“For all of our attempts at trying to control our lives or try to portray ourselves a certain way, as confident, real confidence, I think, comes from surrender and letting go of control,” she said.
Along with confidence in their talents is confidence in the art form itself. The cast broke down the importance of practicing different types of art and telling unique stories.
“I think it’s really fun for artists to do, to practice different kinds of art, because it reminds you, you know, the acting is kind of the thing you do. It’s your job, and it’s the thing you do. And you take it, it’s so important. And you really try you put just everything into it,” said Shahar Isaac, who plays Simon Peter.
“Finding inspiration in other arts, aside from the one that you practice, I think is super important because we can get a little bit too confident with our own, [thinking] ‘I got this, I got this.’ Well, really? Pick up a camera and see how much you got, you know?” added Abe Bueno-Jallad, who plays James.
Confidence, artistry and humor aside, the cast works to surrender to the story they’re telling as it reaches its fifth season.
“I’m surrendering every day in my life, and this season, especially, like I’ve had to just let go of so much, and it’s still a struggle,” Roume said. “I think all of it, just trying to make sense of all of it, and balance all of it, the responsibilities of the show, with the rest of my life … I’m so grateful for all of it.”
Watch the full “One Nation Under God” episode at this link.
