Local Catholics filmed in ‘The Chosen’

By Tanya Connor
The Catholic Free Press

If you watch Season 5 of “The Chosen” television show next spring you might see a familiar face or two.

Steven and Betsy Fiedler, music leaders at Holy Family of Nazareth Parish in Leominster and members of the diocesan Cursillo community, were background extras in the April 24-26 filming.

“’The Chosen’ is a groundbreaking historical drama based on the life of Jesus Christ ... seen through the eyes of those who knew him,” says the website www.thechosen.tv/en-us. “Set against the backdrop of Roman oppression in first-century Israel, the seven-season show shares an authentic and intimate look at Jesus’ revolutionary life and teachings.” Dallas Jenkins, an evangelical Christian, is creator, director, and co-writer. Jonathan Roumie, a Catholic, plays Jesus.

To be in this filming, the Fiedlers said, they had to make a donation, pay for their transportation to Goshen, Utah, and lodging there, and find or make their costumes, following specifications for design and color.

“We’re kind of groupies,” in following what’s happening with this project, Mr. Fielder said.
His wife said they watch the show and related features a lot, and they registered to get group text messages, such as updates and prayer requests about the filming, from the director.
How did they get to this point?

“I’d always been skeptical of Jesus-type projects and shows,” because some productions are poor quality, Mr. Fiedler said. “But, in this case, they start with Scripture and then they flesh out the characters and make situations plausible.”

His wife said she thought the first episode was “dark,” because of the characters’ struggles. But a later episode, which showed Christ at the wedding of Cana piling up cups to entertain children, showed “the Jesus I want to know” – human and loving. She also found plausible the portrayal of Matthew as being on the autism spectrum.

“What other good Jewish man would want to be a tax collector, except somebody who misses all the social cues, but is super smart with numbers?” she asked.

Mr. Fiedler said they heard about fans being invited to be background extras, but he and his wife did not want to go during the pandemic. But this year they sought to be part of the shooting of Holy Week scenes.

“We made donations” to the non-profit Come and See Foundation, which is trying to translate “The Chosen” into more languages, 600 in all, Mr. Fiedler said. “They only had spots for ... 600 background extras per week for three weeks.” The couple said their family, friends, pastor, fellow-parishioners and members of the Cursillo community were very excited for them being able to go.

This was like a pilgrimage, because “this [set] is probably as close as we’ll ever get to the temple of Jerusalem,” and they were with people enthusiastic about the Bible and about sharing it with the world, Mrs. Fiedler said.

Her husband said they met people from all over the United States, but no one else from Massachusetts.

At a gas station one day, “I was still in costume,” he said. “The lady at the next pump asked, ‘Were you an extra?’” She was excited because she loves the show, and asked, “Can I give you a hug?” She said she’s a Mormon and her church owns the filming set. The replica of ancient Jerusalem, built for movies, is owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They espouse some beliefs different from those of Christian churches, but Mr. Fiedler said, “We’re all called to be disciples.” He said no one asked what church or religion you were part of.

“I remember chatting with a costumer” who said, “We’re all here for the glory of God,” he recalled. Background extras were sent videos of the colors they were to wear, and how to make their own costumes.

“They were very specific,” added Mrs. Fiedler.

She said Father José A. Rodríguez, their pastor before his transfer this summer, “walked us down to the costume closet” of Holy Family’s pageant supplies and let them pick what they wanted to borrow. Mr. Fiedler said he got most of his costume there but had to buy “my first-century sandals, which are not as comfortable as my 21st century sandals.”

Mrs. Fielder said the parish didn’t have the color she needed, so her costume was made by her sister, a volunteer costumer for school plays, who lives in Pennsylvania. They wore the same costumes for all the filming, and Mr. Fielder said he grew a beard.

Filming lasted 11 to 12 hours a day and included Jesus’ cleansing of the temple and other scenes, the couple said. Mrs. Fiedler said they were “way in the background.”

The main actors thanked the background extras, Mrs. Fiedler said. She said it was great that their presence and facial expressions “helped the actors get even deeper” into portraying their characters.

“You really felt like you were” contributing to a worthwhile project, Mr. Fiedler said.

Being part of this story helps to deepen one’s faith, his wife said. Now, hearing Gospel readings at Mass, she wonders, “How would ‘The Chosen’ portray that?” It’s like putting oneself in the Scripture readings.

Editor’s note: For more information, see the website www.thechosen.tv/en-us, which tells where people can watch the show, including the free “The Chosen” app, the website, https://watch.thechosen.tv/ and streaming services.