Jonathan Roumie Brings ‘The Chosen’ to ‘The Tonight Show' Saying Season 5 Is ‘Epic’
The actor who portrays Jesus introduced The Chosen to a national television audience Tuesday during NBC's The Tonight Show, previewing the new season as he returned to a building -- Rockefeller Center -- where he once interned. Actor Jonathan Roumie depicts Jesus in the hit series, which is entering its fifth season and has amassed 200 million viewers worldwide. The first two episodes of Season 5 debut in theaters March 27 as part of a film titled The Chosen: Last Supper.
"It's absolutely epic. This season is going to be huge," Roumie told host Jimmy Fallon.
"This is a giant hit," Fallon said.
Roumie recounted the series' humble beginnings, explaining how creator Dallas Jenkins filmed the first four episodes of Season 1, not knowing if there would be enough funding for another season.
"I had worked with him before on a couple of short films," Roumie recalled.
"He said, 'Look, we're crowdfunding four episodes of a TV series about Jesus -- [a] historical drama. Probably not going to go anywhere. So you want to join us again?"
Roumie had portrayed Jesus in those earlier films, too.
"I'm like, 'I've got the sandals. I'll put them back on,'" Roumie said, laughing.
But once the public experienced the first four episodes and watched the Season 1 trailer, Roumie said, the funds poured in. The first few seasons were fully crowdfunded.
Roumie shared other memories from his past, including the first time he met Pope Francis at the Vatican. He told Francis about his role in The Chosen.
"He said, 'May you seek Him, may you find Him, and may He make you happy," Roumie recalled.
It wasn't Roumie's first time in the building. Some 30 years ago, he was an intern for Saturday Night Live, working alongside Will Ferrell and the late Norm MacDonald. He also met the late Chris Farley when the comedy legend returned to the building.
"It was clear that he was beloved by everybody," Roumie said.
During one humorous moment, Roumie — who had never met Farley — found himself in a line of Farley's old friends who were greeting the former SNL star. Roumie decided to stick around.
"And I thought, 'Well, I might as well,'" Roumie said, smiling. "And he gets to me, and I'm like, 'Chris, oh, my gosh, how are you?' He's like, 'Hey, good to see you!' He treated me as if I was one of the family in the show."
.@JonathanRoumie’s series @thechosentv went from crowdfunding to now being released in theaters nationwide and @PrimeVideo! #FallonTonight pic.twitter.com/byC49gIHVf
— The Tonight Show (@FallonTonight) March 18, 2025
Season 5 of The Chosen will roll out in theaters over the span of one month, with Episodes 1 and 2 debuting March 27, followed by Episodes 3-5 (April 3) and Episodes 6-8 (April 10). The new season covers several major events, including Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, the cleansing of the temple, and the Last Supper.
Photo Credit: ©YouTube/The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.
Originally published March 18, 2025.
