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The Chosen Season 6: What to Expect, How Churches Can Host a Free Screening, and How to Watch With Your Bible Open
For several years now, millions of people have followed a Galilean fisherman, a tax collector, a Pharisee and a carpenter’s son through the pages of a television series. Now the story is reaching its darkest and most important chapter.
Season 6 of The Chosen covers the final 24 hours of Jesus’ life, from the arrest to the crucifixion. It arrives next month, and Australian churches have been invited to host a free pre-release screening of the first episode. A recent editorial on The Daily Declaration by Samuel Hartwich and Warwick Marsh encourages churches to take up the opportunity as a way to introduce people to Jesus.
This post covers what’s coming and when, how the church screening works, why the series has resonated so widely, where Christians disagree about it, and how to watch the Passion story in a way that sends people back to the Gospels themselves.
What’s Coming
According to the official announcements from Prime Video and 5&2 Studios, here’s the plan:
- Season 6 premieres on Prime Video on 15 November 2026, in the US and internationally, including in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the UK, Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America.
- It’s a six-episode season. The first three episodes arrive on 15 November, followed by weekly episodes through 6 December. The Daily Declaration’s schedule lists Episode 4 on 22 November, Episode 5 on 29 November and Episode 6 on 6 December.
- The finale is a standalone theatrical film. It will focus on the crucifixion and is scheduled for release in cinemas in spring 2027, reported as 12 March 2027 in the US, which is likely 11 March in Australian time. It will be distributed by Amazon MGM Studios, and it will join streaming later.
- The story will conclude with Season 7. The resurrection season is expected to begin with a theatrical premiere, reported to be scheduled for March 2028.
- Seasons 1 to 5 are available on Prime Video, and reports indicate that earlier seasons can also be watched through The Chosen’s own app and website.
Creator Dallas Jenkins explained why the team decided to split the story this way. He said that while most people know the basics of the crucifixion, not everyone knows the “why” behind these 24 hours, and that this moment deserved both a season of television and a full-length theatrical event.
The Free Church Screening
The editorial invites churches to host a free pre-release screening of Episode 1 before the public premiere. According to the announcement:
- The offer is open until 15 November, the date the season premieres.
- It’s available only to churches. Screenings are free, and churches cannot charge for them or make a profit.
- Churches that register receive kits to help with promotion, discussion and prayer.
- Registration is through The Chosen’s Australian website, which is where full details and conditions are published.
Because dates and conditions can change, any church considering a screening should read the terms on the official registration page before making plans.
Why The Chosen Has Resonated
The series has become one of the most-watched faith-based productions in history. Reports put its audience at more than 300 million viewers worldwide, though such figures vary and are difficult to verify exactly. It began as a crowdfunded project, has been translated into many languages, and has since secured a major distribution deal with Amazon MGM Studios.
A few reasons stand out:
- The “through their eyes” approach. Jenkins has described the series as the story of Jesus told through the eyes of those who met him. That helps viewers see ordinary people, with doubts, fears, jobs and families, encountering Jesus for the first time.
- Historical and cultural context. The show portrays details such as Sabbath observance, Temple life, Roman occupation and the social tension between groups, which can deepen understanding of the Gospel accounts.
- Quality and accessibility. It’s well-produced and approachable for people who don’t read the Bible or attend church.
- A stimulus to read Scripture. Many viewers report that the series sent them back to their Bibles, wanting to know what really happened.
How the Show Handles Scripture
This is where Christians have strongly differing views, and it’s worth being honest about it.
What the show does. The Chosen follows the Gospel accounts for major events, such as the calling of Matthew, the healing of the paralytic and the feeding of the crowd, and it invents much of what happens in between. It adds characters who don’t appear in Scripture, such as the Roman soldier Gaius and the Pharisee Shmuel, and it adds dialogue, backstories and relationships. Matthew, for example, is portrayed with traits resembling autism, which Scripture doesn’t mention. Jenkins has said the writers aim for details that are “plausible” and consistent with the character of Jesus and the Gospels, and that the show is not a replacement for the Bible.
What supporters say. They argue that any film or series about Jesus has to fill gaps, that the show introduces millions of people to Jesus, that it avoids many pitfalls of earlier productions, and that it has led people to read the Bible. Jenkins describes himself as a strong evangelical who believes the Bible is God’s Word, and he has said that viewers should read the Scriptures for themselves.
What critics say. Some Christians have serious reservations:
- Putting words in Jesus’ mouth. A Season 5 scene in which Jesus promises to pray for Judas drew criticism from viewers who said it has no basis in the Gospels. Other critics have argued that invented scenes can blur the line between Scripture and screenplay.
- The second commandment. Some teachers, such as the pastor Voddie Baucham, have argued that depicting Jesus on screen violates the second commandment. Others disagree.
- Confusion of source material. The Canadian apologist Wes Huff has said he appreciates the artistic license while warning that some viewers start confusing the show with the Gospels.
- Theological concerns. Some critics have raised concerns about particular portrayals, about the show’s early ties to distributors connected with Mormonism, and about comments from the creator that Christians, Catholics and Mormons “love the same Jesus.” Supporters respond that Jenkins is an evangelical Christian and that the show reaches people who wouldn’t otherwise watch a Christian production.
Neither the supporters nor the critics are all one thing. This is a matter on which sincere, Bible-believing Christians come to different conclusions, and each can appeal to conscience.
The Passion in the Gospels
Season 6 will portray the most important events in human history, so it’s a good time to look at how the Gospels themselves tell the story.
The accounts of Jesus’ arrest, trials, crucifixion and burial are found in Matthew 26–27, Mark 14–15, Luke 22–23 and John 18–19. What’s striking is their restraint. Mark records the crucifixion itself in just a few words: “And they crucified him” (Mark 15:24). The Gospel writers were less interested in graphic detail than in meaning: who Jesus is, what he accomplished, and why he died.
The meaning is spelled out elsewhere. Isaiah 53 describes the suffering servant who is pierced for our transgressions. Psalm 22 opens with the cry Jesus quoted from the cross. Romans 5:8 says that God demonstrates his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Hebrews 12:2 speaks of Jesus enduring the cross for the joy set before him.
A screen portrayal will inevitably add to this, in the form of dialogue, expressions, music and invented scenes. That can be powerful, and it can also shape our mental picture of the event more than we realise. Which is why reading the accounts themselves matters.
Our Take
Here’s where we’d like to add some commentary.
1. It’s a real opportunity.
A series that has captured the imagination of so many people, with a new season arriving just before Advent and a theatrical event around Easter, is a natural doorway for conversations about Jesus. Churches that use it wisely can reach people who wouldn’t otherwise walk in.
2. But the screen is not the Gospel.
The Chosen itself says it’s not a substitute for Scripture. The best way to honour that is to treat it as an introduction, to be followed up with reading the Gospels. Churches should make that explicit.
3. Read first, watch second, discuss third.
A simple approach for small groups is to read the relevant Gospel passage together before watching, then watch, then discuss what was in the text and what was added. That teaches discernment as well as appreciation.
4. Hold your conscience, and respect others’.
Some Christians will watch the series with joy, and some will choose not to on principle. Romans 14 reminds us to be fully convinced in our own minds and not to despise or condemn one another over disputable matters. A church can offer a screening without implying that anyone who declines is a lesser believer.
5. Be thoughtful about content.
The Passion is violent and distressing. Season 6 depicts torture and execution, and the finale will show the crucifixion in detail. Churches should check content information and ratings, consider age suitability, and think about how people with traumatic experiences might respond.
6. Keep the focus on Jesus.
The most important question isn’t whether the show is accurate in every detail, or whether it’s popular. It’s whether people end up knowing and following the real Jesus. Everything else is a tool.
The Other Side of the Conversation
In fairness, here’s how different people might see the opportunity:
- Enthusiastic churches will say that a free, high-quality, ready-made resource with promotion kits is exactly what churches need to reach their neighbours, and that people respond to story.
- Cautious pastors might say that hosting an event that includes invented scenes and words attributed to Jesus puts the church’s endorsement behind it, and that a screening is better used with clear explanations of what’s in Scripture and what isn’t.
- Some Christians are concerned about the commercial side, including distribution through Amazon and the promotional messaging, and about the way a popular franchise can become a substitute for the actual practices of church life. One reader of the original editorial commented that it sounded like a paid promotion. The editorial doesn’t say it’s paid, and it’s fair to treat it as an announcement from a Christian news site about a free offer, while recognising that readers will want to look at it with discernment.
- Non-Christians who watch may enjoy the drama without engaging with the message, and some may feel pressure if invited to a church event.
None of this means a church shouldn’t host a screening. It means thinking carefully about purpose, format and follow-up.
A Practical Guide for Churches
If your church is considering a screening, here are some steps:
- Read the official terms on the registration page, including dates, content notes and any restrictions.
- Pray and decide on your purpose. Is it outreach, discipleship, or both?
- Talk to your leaders, so there’s clarity about how you’ll handle the content and any questions.
- Plan the format. A short welcome, the screening, a time for reflection, and refreshments tends to work well.
- Provide Scripture. Hand out the relevant Gospel passages, or point people to Mark’s account, which is short and readable.
- Prepare discussion questions and make sure the facilitators are comfortable saying, “That scene isn’t in the Gospels.”
- Invite generously. Encourage members to bring neighbours, colleagues and friends, and make sure newcomers feel welcome.
- Plan a follow-up. Offer a short reading group through one of the Gospels, an Alpha-style course, or an invitation to a Good Friday or Easter service.
- Keep the tone gentle, especially with anyone affected by trauma, grief or violence.
Questions for Discussion
- What scene from the Gospels do I most want to understand better?
- What difference does it make to me that Jesus went to the cross willingly?
- How does a screen depiction shape my picture of Jesus, and how can I check it against Scripture?
- Who could I invite to watch the series with me?
- What would it mean for me to follow Jesus to the cross, not just admire him?
A Short Prayer
Lord Jesus, you walked willingly to the cross for us. We thank you that the story of your suffering and death is not just history but good news. Use every faithful way of telling it to draw people to you. Keep us anchored in your word, give us discernment about what we watch, and make our churches places where newcomers are welcomed and the gospel is clearly shared. Open eyes and hearts this Advent and Easter, and bring many to know you. Amen.
