CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Thousands of fans filled the convention center in Charlotte for ChosenCon, the annual gathering dedicated to the global hit series “The Chosen,” as cast members walked the red carpet reflecting on gratitude, faith and the approaching end of the show’s seven-season arc.
More than 4,500 attendees traveled from across the country and overseas for panels, worship sessions, meet-and-greets and exclusive previews. For the “The Chosen” actors, the weekend, held Feb. 19 to 21, was as much about giving back as it was about celebration.
“You just see the love and the impact that ‘The Chosen’ is making,” Paras Patel, who portrays Matthew in the series, told The Christian Post. “For me, it’s an opportunity to give back to our supporters who have carried us through the ups and downs of the show.”
As the Dallas Jenkins-helmed series prepares to release Season 6, which covers the crucifixion, and begin filming Season 7, its final installment, Patel said he’s feeling a wide range of emotions. Reflecting on Matthew’s journey, Patel said he often asks himself how his real-life character would view this moment.
“It’s bittersweet,” he said. “I don’t know how many ChosenCons are going to happen, so I’m just living in the present and enjoying what I can.”
“I always like to think of Matthew. Would he be ready for this?” he said. “The book is being written. It’s the end of a chapter, but the beginning of a new one. These last seven years filming ‘The Chosen’ have provided us with tools to carry forward.”
Portraying Matthew for the past several years has also reshaped his personal understanding of Jesus, Patel said.
“What really appeals to me about Jesus is the humanity the show portrays, His jokingness, His love, His care,” Patel said. “This guy made Matthew feel seen. He gave him his worth. He gave him his purpose. I hope it inspires people who are looking for their own purpose.”
He added, “In many ways, I feel like I was chosen for this.”
Joey Vahedi, who plays Thomas, said fan interactions frequently remind him how personally viewers connect to the show. Earlier in the day, a woman presented him with a crocheted doll of Thomas wearing his rainbow cloak.
“That was really, really cool,” Vahedi said. “Stuff like that is always really nice.”
And looking ahead to Season 6, Vahedi said Thomas will return to his problem-solving instincts after Judas’ betrayal. Thomas’ reputation for doubt, he added, offers an important lesson for viewers of “The Chosen.”
“No one really knows what’s going on,” he said. “Thomas is the only one that has experienced significant loss, so he has to be there for his brothers and sisters, help them get through this time and really try and find ways to come up with a solution.”
“It’s really important to ask questions. It’s really important to doubt. It’s really important to be curious and seek answers,” he said. “When you get to a point where you are questioning and seeking for yourself, there’s nothing better than that.”
Abe Bueno-Jallad, who portrays Big James, said ChosenCon demonstrates why the series has endured. And as the cast prepares for Season 7, Bueno-Jallad said he feels a mix of pride and emotion.
“I think here’s where you see the true fans, and you begin to understand why this show was never going to fall off the rails,” he said. “Without the people that make ChosenCon possible, we would have nothing.”
“I would be lying if I told you the last two years this hasn’t been prominently on my mind,” he said. “But this year I feel accomplished. We are walking to the home stretch, running to the home stretch. Nothing makes me prouder than what we’ve accomplished.”
Reflecting on the last several seasons, he cited the walking-on-water scene, the Last Supper and the Garden of Gethsemane as some of his favorite moments to film.
“There’s no way you’re the same guy you were before ‘The Chosen,’” he said. “It is happening, and therefore I can never be the same.”
Noah James, who plays Andrew, said he recently received an email confirming upcoming filming dates and said that though he’s focused on finishing strong, there’s an emotional toll that comes with bringing Bible stories to life.
“We really love each other,” he said. “I just hope we get to do things like this all the time, so that even when the show is over, we get to be in each other’s lives. … We’re running to the home stretch. And we’re going to make it the best one yet.”
Echoing Bueno-Jallad’s comments, James recalled filming the walking-on-water sequence overnight in Louisiana as one of his favorite moments thus far.
“We were all in that boat together, rowing, getting splashed by freezing water from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.,” he said. “Those are experiences you only share with a small group of people.”
Spiritually, he said Jesus’ teaching about caring for “the least among us” has had the greatest impact.
“That is a truly revolutionary idea,” James said. “I didn’t quite understand the magnitude of that before.”
Vanessa Benavente, who portrays Mary, said fan encounters remain the most moving aspect of ChosenCon. As the final season approaches, she said she is trying to savor every moment.
“Every time somebody’s eyes start to well and they’re about to cry because they have such a connection with your character, it gives me goosebumps,” she said. “Their emotion is so raw and so beautiful and so pure.”
“I’m just breathing every single second of this in,” Benavente said. “Every moment on set is going to be so precious. … [Jesus] called everyone. These people did not get along, but they learned. At the end of the day, we’re humans. We should be making life easier for each other.”
Giavani Cairo, who plays Thaddeus, said the show coincided with a renewal of his faith. Looking ahead, the actor said he’s especially eager to see how the resurrection will be portrayed in Season 7.
“‘The Chosen’ came when my faith started being renewed for the first time in a long time,” he said. “It’s given me an extended family. These are my brothers and sisters for life.”
“I’m so interested to see what that looks like,” he said. “I don’t know how they’re going to do it, but I can’t wait to read it. It’s going to be emotional.”
George Xanthis, who portrays John, said that despite the show’s massive success, he never forgets the show’s humble beginnings and the real-life impact it’s had on viewers. He recounted meeting a fan at an Australian rugby match whose Muslim friend introduced her to the series.
“I remember when we had five fans and a table on some dirt,” he said. “It’s not lost on me how lucky we are.”
“It gives you an idea of how this show has resonated for so many different people,” Xanthis said. “It’s telling a human story. When things are human, they’re in touching distance.”
Season 6 of “The Chosen” will premiere its first six episodes exclusively on Prime Video in fall 2026. The Season 6 finale will receive a global theatrical release in spring 2027 in dozens of languages simultaneously.
Leah M. Klett is a reporter for The Christian Post. She can be reached at: [email protected]
