Actor Jonathan Roumie, best known for portraying Jesus in The Chosen, introduced the hit faith-based series to a national audience on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon this week, sharing a preview of the upcoming fifth season and reflecting on his remarkable journey.
Roumie, who once interned at Rockefeller Center for Saturday Night Live, returned to the iconic building on Tuesday—this time as a guest—to discuss The Chosen, a global sensation that has captivated more than 200 million viewers worldwide. The first two episodes of Season 5 will debut in theaters on March 27 as part of The Chosen: Last Supper, leading into a season Roumie described as “absolutely epic.”
Fallon, acknowledging the show’s massive success, called it a “giant hit,” prompting Roumie to reflect on its modest origins. He recounted how director and creator Dallas Jenkins initially crowdfunded only four episodes, uncertain if the show would continue.
“I had worked with him before on a couple of short films,” Roumie explained. “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, who had previously played Jesus in Jenkins’ short films, eagerly accepted the opportunity.
“I’m like, ‘I’ve got the sandals. I’ll put them back on,'” he said, laughing.
.@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
However, once audiences saw those early episodes and the Season 1 trailer, financial support flooded in, allowing The Chosen to expand. The first few seasons were entirely crowdfunded, and today, the series continues to thrive, bringing biblical stories to life in a way that resonates deeply with audiences.
During his conversation with Fallon, Roumie shared a touching moment from his past: his first meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican.
“He said, ‘May you seek Him, may you find Him, and may He make you happy,'” Roumie recalled, describing the Pope’s blessing over his work.
Roumie also reminisced about his internship at SNL decades ago, where he worked alongside comedy greats like Will Ferrell, Norm Macdonald, and Chris Farley. He shared a humorous memory of meeting Farley despite never having met him before.
“I found myself in a line of people saying hi to him, and I thought, ‘Well, I might as well,'” Roumie said with a smile. “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.”
What to Expect in Season 5
As The Chosen enters its fifth season, fans can expect some of the most powerful moments in Jesus’ ministry, including His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the cleansing of the temple, and the Last Supper. The season will roll out in theaters in three stages:
- Episodes 1 & 2 – March 27
- Episodes 3-5 – April 3
- Episodes 6-8 – April 10
With its moving performances, cinematic storytelling, and faith-centered message, The Chosen continues to impact millions—and Roumie’s latest appearance on The Tonight Show is another step in bringing the story of Jesus to even more hearts.
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