When the man who plays Jesus starts getting messages from atheists saying they’re now believers, you know something bigger than Hollywood is at work.

Actor Jonathan Roumie, best known for portraying Christ in the hit series “The Chosen,” recently revealed that the show is having spiritual ripple effects around the globe—drawing even lifelong nonbelievers to faith, as CBN reports.

While promoting Season 6 of the series and a special Advent prayer challenge on ABC's “The View” earlier this week, Roumie opened up about the emotional weight of filming the crucifixion and the remarkable testimonies he’s received from former atheists.

Actor Shares Personal Impact Of His Role

Roumie didn’t mince words when describing the pressure and significance of stepping into this role for another season. The upcoming scenes depicting the crucifixion, he said, have been emotionally taxing and spiritually intense.

“It’s not just the physicality of recreating that; it’s the emotional impact,” Roumie said, describing the crucifixion scenes as a deeply sacred and humbling experience. He added that he had prayed for a glimpse of Christ’s suffering and is still working through the aftermath.

Back in April, Roumie turned to Instagram not for promotion, but for prayers. In a candid post, he admitted, “I’d be lying if I said it’s ‘business as usual.’ ... It’s heavy. It’s humbling. And it’s holy.”

Global Reach And Unlikely Viewers

The show’s influence continues to stretch far beyond traditional audiences. With over 280 million viewers tuning in across 175 countries, “The Chosen” isn’t just another faith-based project—it’s a global outlier.

And for some viewers, watching the show has been more than inspirational—it’s been life-altering. Roumie shared that two fans reached out to him via Instagram, explaining how they had spent their entire lives as atheists before encountering “The Chosen.”

“Both of these people... had never had any interest in God,” Roumie recalled. “And somehow, somebody sent them the show,” he said, “and all of a sudden it’s like that first episode just kind of grabs hold of you.”

Crowdfunding Success With A Spiritual Focus

What began as a small vision has grown into the largest crowdfunded television project in history. Despite Hollywood’s tendency to overlook faith-based content, “The Chosen” has managed to flourish—without the backing of the industry’s usual gatekeepers.

Series creator Dallas Jenkins emphasized that it's not about sermonizing but about access. “We’re all about reaching eyeballs,” Jenkins said. “What God does after you see the show is not up to me.”

In an age where much of television seems preoccupied with pushing the latest woke narrative, it’s refreshing to see a series that prioritizes soul-level impact rather than scoring social justice points.

Season 6 Promises Deeper Emotional Journey

Filming of Season 6 began earlier this year, and Roumie noted the toll it’s taken. He described the production process as “a period of mental, physical, and spiritual warfare” and asked fans for continued prayers.

Unlike many in the entertainment world who treat their roles as just another paycheck, Roumie clearly sees this one as a calling. “In preparation for, and amidst this profound responsibility, I’ll be uniting myself more intentionally to the Sacred Heart of Jesus,” he noted on social media.

The season is expected to launch in late 2026, and it’s primed to tackle the most gut-wrenching chapters of Christ’s life, portrayed through the lens of those who walked with Him.

Faith With a Broadcast Footprint

In September, the show entered the Guinness Book of World Records for having the most translated season of any streaming series—a feat that speaks volumes when compared to the sanitized content churned out by mainstream platforms.

At a time when our culture is often accused of falling away from faith and morality, “The Chosen” appears to be standing in the gap—reviving spiritual curiosity through storytelling that doesn’t compromise.

As Roumie put it, “If God wants to, He will find you. He will follow you. He will go after you.” Even in modern media, it seems, truth still has a way of breaking through.