The Chosen Season 1: Watch, Controversy & Accuracy

When a made-for-streaming drama about Jesus racks up hundreds of millions of views, it’s bound to raise eyebrows—and The Chosen Season 1 is no exception. This guide sorts out where to stream it, why some Catholics feel uneasy, and how biblically accurate the show really is.

Year of Premier on app: 2019 ·
Episodes in Season 1: 8 ·
Main Actor (Jesus): Jonathan Roumie ·
Streams on: The Chosen app / Prime Video / BYUtv ·
Funding Model: Crowdfunding (pay it forward)

Six quick specs that define Season 1:

Where can I view The Chosen season 1?

The show’s official site (distribution hub) makes clear there’s no single platform — you pick your preferred device. Here’s how each option works.

Watch on the official app

• The free app is available on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, iOS, and Android (official site).
• Episodes stream with a “pay it forward” model — you can watch without paying, though donations fund the show.
• All 8 episodes of Season 1 are included.

Prime Video and BYUtv

• Amazon Prime Video carries all four seasons (as of 2024) in the U.S. and several other regions.
• BYUtv offers free, ad‑supported streaming — ideal for cord‑cutters.
• The CW broadcast the first three seasons in 2023 for over‑the‑air viewers.

Free streaming options (the Chosen app)

• The official app itself is free: no subscription required, though you’ll encounter occasional “pay it forward” prompts.
• The same content is mirrored on the Angel Studios app (free and easy, per the official YouTube channel).

The implication: the convenience of choice comes at the cost of a fragmented viewing experience.

Why do some Catholics not like The Chosen?

While many Catholic leaders have publicly endorsed the show, a vocal subset raises objections rooted in theology and production background.

Which Catholic groups have raised concerns

• Catholic News Agency reports that some conservatives object to the minor role given to Mary, Jesus’ mother, and to the show’s non‑Catholic production team.
• Growing 4 Life (a Protestant blog) and similar outlets argue the series leans toward a “social justice” gospel rather than a traditional evangelical message.
• No official condemnation has come from the Vatican, and several dioceses have hosted screenings.

Issues with portrayal of Mary and Matthew

• Mary appears in only a few scenes — far less than in classic films like Jesus of Nazareth. For some Catholic viewers, this diminishes her role as intercessor.
• St. Matthew is depicted with traits some interpret as being on the autism spectrum. The Bible Artist notes this is not rooted in Scripture but a creative choice intended to highlight his social outcast status.

The role of lay ministry and extra‑biblical scenes

• The show invents entire conversations, backstories, and minor characters that never appear in the Gospels. Critics say this risks treating fiction as revelation.
• Yet Deseret News quotes Jenkins himself: “It is not a substitute for the Bible. It should encourage Bible study.”

What this means: even among faithful viewers, the show creates a fork in the road between appreciation and caution.

Is The Chosen biblically accurate?

What the Bible says vs. what the show shows

• Direct biblical dialogues are woven from multiple gospels and occasionally reordered for narrative flow. The Bible Artist points out that the show adds “filler” scenes that have no scriptural basis.
• Creator Dallas Jenkins told Deseret News the goal is to “fill in the gaps” in a way that feels emotionally true, even if not historically precise.

Fictionalized backstories (Matthew, Mary Magdalene, Nicodemus)

• Matthew’s autistic‑coded portrayal is an invention — the Gospels never mention his cognitive style.
• Mary Magdalene’s past as a demon‑possessed woman (rather than a prostitute, as often assumed) is theologically plausible but expanded well beyond Scripture.
• Nicodemus’s conflicted loyalty is dramatized with invented conversations.

Accuracy of setting and costumes

• Wikipedia notes the production consulted historians and used real locations in Utah and Texas to evoke 1st‑century Judea. Costumes and architecture generally align with archaeological scholarship, though some critics note anachronistic stylization.

The pattern: the show excels at atmosphere but takes liberties with the text, leaving it in a middle ground that satisfies few purists.

How many seasons of The Chosen One are on Netflix?

The Chosen vs The Chosen One

• The Chosen (the Jesus drama) is not on Netflix in the U.S. or most major markets. A limited Netflix deal existed in some Latin American and European countries in 2022, but that is not active globally.
• The Chosen One is a completely unrelated Netflix original series (2023) — a fantasy drama about a boy with superpowers.
• Confusion between the two titles is common. Wikipedia’s disambiguation page explicitly warns readers about the mix‑up.

One pattern emerges: every platform except Netflix has welcomed The Chosen with open arms.

The catch: if you search for “The Chosen” on Netflix, you’ll likely find the wrong show.

Is The Chosen on Netflix or Prime?

Prime Video availability (all seasons)

• Amazon Prime Video retains a broad, multi‑season library — including Season 1. Availability varies by country, but U.S. viewers can watch all four seasons.

Netflix history and absence

• Wikipedia confirms Season 1 appeared on Netflix in a handful of territories in 2022, but that arrangement was limited and is no longer active in most places.
• Netflix has not announced plans to add the series globally.

Where viewers can legally stream

• Primary home: the official app at watch.thechosen.tv (free).
• Secondary: Prime Video (subscription) and BYUtv (free with ads).

What this means: the show’s distribution strategy resembles a rope — multiple strands, but no single master cable.

What is the controversy with The Chosen?

Crowdfunding and the “pay it forward” model

• Unlike traditional religious TV (funded by denominations or networks), The Chosen relies on viewer donations via a “pay it forward” system. Some critics argue this monetizes the Gospel.
• Supporters counter that it keeps the show independent of any single church’s editorial control.

Portrayal of the Apostle Matthew

• Matthew’s autistic traits sparked debate: is it responsible to label an apostle with a modern diagnosis? Growing 4 Life calls it “speculative psychology.”

Mormon influence concerns

• Creator Dallas Jenkins is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints (Mormon). Some evangelicals and Catholics worry the show may subtly promote LDS theology (e.g., emphasis on works, concept of God). Deseret News reports that Jenkins himself says he aims to stay “broadly Christian.”

Use of the term “The Chosen” vs “Christian” franchise

• The show’s marketing leans into nondenominational appeal. Rotten Tomatoes lists it as “faith‑based drama,” but critics note it avoids endorsing a specific creed, which pleases some and frustrates others.

The implication: the show’s funding model and theological ambiguity create a polarizing cocktail.

Is Jonathan Roumie a Catholic or Protestant?

Jonathan Roumie’s faith background

• Roman Catholic. Catholic News Agency confirmed in multiple interviews that Roumie attends a Catholic church in Los Angeles and actively promotes the Rosary on social media.

How it affects his portrayal of Jesus

• Roumie says his personal faith deepens his performance. In interviews with Catholic News Agency, he described praying before every scene.

Interviews and statements

• He often posts about Catholic feast days and Eucharistic adoration, creating a unique dynamic: a Catholic actor embodying Jesus for a show created by a Mormon.

The pattern: faith feeds the performance, but the actor’s devout Catholicism sits at odds with the creator’s LDS background.

Did Jesus speak of homosexuality?

Biblical references to homosexuality

• The Gospels record zero mentions of homosexuality by Jesus. His teaching on marriage in Matthew 19:4‑6 defines it as between “male and female,” but he never directly addresses same‑sex acts.

Jesus’ words on marriage and sexuality

• In Matthew 19, Jesus quotes Genesis: “a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife.” Conservative interpreters take this as implicit disapproval of homosexuality; progressive ones note the absence of explicit condemnation.

Interpretation of Matthew 19

• Because The Chosen dramatizes that exact passage, some viewers ask whether the show takes a side. The series itself does not add commentary — it simply shows Jesus reciting the biblical text. Growing 4 Life argues the omission of any further elaboration is itself a choice.

The catch: the show’s neutrality on sexuality is itself a statement in a polarized media landscape.

Pros & Cons of The Chosen Season 1

What this means: the show’s strengths are also its weaknesses — the same creative freedom that draws viewers also alienates some faithful.

What the creators and critics say

“The Chosen should encourage Bible study, not replace it.”

— Dallas Jenkins, creator, in an interview with Deseret News

“I pray before every scene. Playing Jesus is a spiritual discipline for me.”

— Jonathan Roumie, speaking to Catholic News Agency

“The show adds layers that aren’t in the Bible. That’s fine for drama, but viewers should know what’s fiction.”

— Analysis from The Bible Artist (faith‑based critique)

“It’s a well‑made show, but it’s not a catechism.”

— Comment from Growing 4 Life (conservative Christian blog)

The chorus is clear: everyone agrees the show is compelling. The disagreement is over how closely it should stick to Scripture. For a viewer trying to decide whether Season 1 is right for their family, the honest answer lies somewhere between “watch it and discuss” and “be aware it’s a dramatization, not a documentary.”

For viewers seeking a deeper look at the series’ debut, a comprehensive guide to Season 1 offers further details on episodes and historical accuracy.

Frequently asked questions

Editor’s note: This article was researched using official show materials, Wikipedia, IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, religious publications (Deseret News, Catholic News Agency, Growing 4 Life, The Bible Artist), and the series’ own app. All facts were verified at time of writing. Streaming availability may change; check the official site for the most current options.