During the 11^th annual K-Love Fan Awards on Sunday, May 26, “The Chosen” creator, producer, director, and writer Dallas Jenkins proclaimed the show’s support for Israel, stressing that it “is a Jewish show.” Said during an acceptance speech for the Film of the Year award, the speech garnered thunderous applause and a standing ovation from the crowd at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville.

Backstage, Jenkins reiterated the show’s strong Jewish roots, which are inspired by the biblical source material.

“It’s shocking to me sometimes to go around the world and to recognize that there are people who don’t understand that Jesus was Jewish and that the roots of our faith are in Judaism,” he said. “One of the really beautiful things about the show that we’ve seen is —even in the country of Israel, which would traditionally be a little bit resistant toward a Jesus show— it’s growing rapidly there because we are honoring Jewish prayers, Jewish rituals.”

Jenkins continued that the biblical Jesus wasn’t “representing a new thing but He was honoring His heritage.” He also said the country of Israel and even the Jewish people appreciate the fact that the show celebrates Jesus’ Judaic roots.

“It’s been a beautiful thing,” he said.

Soon after the awards, Jenkins made the announcement legions of fans have been waiting for—“The Chosen” season four will begin streaming on Sunday, June 2, with the additional seven episodes releasing Sundays and Thursdays in June.

“The wait is finally over,” he said. “The response from those who’ve seen Season four in theaters was that this is our best season, so I can’t wait to deliver these episodes free and easy to the world.”

Season four, which was delayed as “The Chosen” addressed rights issues with Angel Studios, will now stream exclusively for free on “The Chosen” mobile app, following a groundbreaking release in theaters through Fathom Events in February and March. It was the most successful theatrical launch for the show, released in 31 territories around the globe.

“We wanted to offer fans a chance to see it on the big screen together in theaters,” Jenkins said. “But I’ve maintained the show will always ultimately be available free and easy, and we’re now ready for our live streams, which are going to be bonkers this year.”

The synopsis for season four is: “Clashing kingdoms. Rival rulers. The enemies of Jesus close in while His followers struggle to keep up, leaving Him to carry the burden alone. Threatened by the reality of Jesus’ growing influence, religious leaders do the unthinkable—ally with their Roman oppressors. As the seeds of betrayal are planted and opposition to Jesus’ message turns violent, He’s left with no alternative but to demand his followers RISE UP.”

Looking ahead, Jenkins said that filming for season five is a third of the way done. The next portion specifically after the awards was to complete Holy Week, “the most impactful week in the history of the world, which includes the greatest moment of worship in history, Jesus’ triumphant entry.” The season will also depict Jesus turning over the tables at the temple.

“One thing that doesn’t change is it never gets easier,” he added. “And I think that’s okay. We’re recreating and trying to portray some of the most important moments in history and the most important man in history. We want to get it right.”

Particularly, the upcoming season six which will portray the crucifixion, will not be an easy watch, but Jenkins said the series will not shy away from it or “sugar coat it.”

“We’re not going to try to sugarcoat it or make it easy on the eyes,” he said. “I think we need to as believers go through it and experience the best we can and that’s what makes what He did for us that much more impactful and the ending that much sweeter.”

The final season seven, he says, will be an “uplifting one” that centers on the Resurrection. That will officially wrap up the global phenomenon’s main series, but spinoffs or tie-in series may be on the horizon after that.

“This show, the mothership show is only going to be seven seasons and then I think we’re all gonna’ nap for about a year,” he said. “If God wills, I would love to tell Bible stories for the rest of my life, point people to Jesus, which is what Old Testament stories and New Testament stories do.”