The Chosen: Building Holy Week – From Utah Plains to Texas Soundstages
This article shares the powerful story behind The Chosen Season 5, focusing on how the series brought the events of Holy Week to life.
From the wide-open plains of Utah to the handcrafted sets of Texas, the journey was filled with hard work, deep emotion, and creative passion.
The cast and crew collaborated to create something meaningful, blending real locations, detailed sets, and heartfelt performances.
The filming choices helped make the scenes feel real, allowing millions of viewers to connect more deeply with the story. This behind-the-scenes look explains why Season 5 is one of the show’s most essential seasons yet.
From Utah to Texas: A Tale of Two Lands
Season 5 of The Chosen began its journey in Utah. The team chose vast plains and soft hills that resembled the ancient landscape of Israel.
These landscapes helped set the tone for scenes from Holy Week. After six weeks of filming in Utah, the production packed up and moved to Texas.
Why Texas? The team had spent months preparing a new home there. A complete biblical village was built on a large piece of land in Midlothian, Texas.
The set had stone houses, narrow streets, and detailed doors and windows. The crew also built a large soundstage, allowing them to film inside, regardless of the weather.
This move enabled the show to maintain its look and feel while gaining greater control over lighting and sound. It also provided them with a permanent location to film future seasons.
Filming Holy Week: 600 Extras, One Big Moment
One of the most significant moments of Season 5 was the scene where Jesus rides into Jerusalem. This moment, known as the Triumphal Entry, needed something special. The crew invited 600 fans and extras to participate in the event.
For weeks, people rehearsed their roles, wore ancient-style clothing, and practiced their responses when Jesus passed by. Some came from far away to be part of this scene. They waved palm branches and cheered with joy.
The energy was real. Many extras were moved to tears. It felt like stepping into the Bible. This wasn’t just a show. It was a shared experience. And it made the scene feel alive and powerful.
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Texas Sets Built With Heart and Skill
Once filming moved to Texas, the focus shifted to building detailed sets. These weren’t just backdrops.
They were whole towns, complete with marketplaces, temples, and houses. The crew worked hard to make everything feel real.
They utilized natural materials, including wood, stone, and clay. Some props were sourced from local stores, but they were carefully selected to fit the period.
Every basket, curtain, and table was placed with care. Over 100 workers helped build more than 50 sets.
They created spaces for key scenes, such as the Sanhedrin trial, Pilate’s courtyard, and the room where the Last Supper was depicted.
These sets let the actors truly feel part of the world. When they stepped into a scene, they didn’t need to pretend. Everything around them looked and felt just right.
Emotions Ran High on Set
Season 5 covers the most emotional part of Jesus’ story—His final days. he actors had to delve deeply into their characters to convey the sorrow, fear, and hope of that time.
Some scenes were weighty. The Last Supper, the betrayal, and the trial. nd the crucifixion. Actors often cried between takes. They supported each other through it all.
Even though the story was painful, the cast became closer. They laughed together off-camera. They played games and Hated meals. What bond helped them show true friendship on screen?
One actor shared, “I cried so much during filming. Butt I also felt closer to my castmates than ever before.” This mix of sorrow and love gave the season its deep emotional pull. It wasn’t just acting. It was a real connection.
Why This Season Matters to Millions
The Chosen has become a global hit, and Season 5 raised the bar. Its focus on Jesus’ final days made it deeply meaningful for fans around the world.
More than 280 million people have now seen the show. Do any viewers say it helped them understand the Bible better? Some say it made them feel hopeful during hard times.
Even people who aren’t religious find the heartfelt story. hat’s because the show focuses on human stories—family, friendship, doubt, and faith.
The decision to film in real outdoor locations and carefully built sets made the story more believable. It made people feel like they were there.
Streaming on platforms like Prime Video and The Chosen app made it easy to watch as well. he show also used limited theater releases to build buzz and bring people together.
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How the Show Changed Faith-Based Media
The Chosen did something rare. It made a faith-based show that feels just like a big-budget drama. Nd it didn’t do it with studio money. It was crowdfunded.
Fans gave money because they believed in the story. Nd that belief helped build something beautiful.
Now, other shows are following in The Chosen’s footsteps. Others are using real people, real places, and honest emotions to tell spiritual stories.
Season 5, especially, shows what’s possible. Ig scenes. Deep emotions. Rue storytelling.
It proves you don’t need to water down faith to reach a broad audience. You need to tell the story well.
The Impact of Cast Unity
Behind the powerful scenes was a cast that trusted each other deeply. That trust showed on camera.
Actors leaned on one another during complex scenes. They cried, they prayed, and they held each other up.
Their off-screen friendship made on-screen relationships feel honest. The love between the disciples. The sorrow of betrayal. He hopes after the loss. It all came from a real place.
Their unity reminds viewers that teamwork can bring even the most complex stories to life.
Legacy of Season 5: More Than Just a Show
Season 5 is more than another chapter in The Chosen. It’s a landmark season that takes the story to its most dramatic point.
From the detailed sets in Texas to the desert scenes in Utah, from the 600-person crowd to the teardrops of the cast, everything was built with care.
This season invites viewers to walk with Jesus during His final days, to feel the weight of the moment. Nd to remember what it means.
It’s not just a show. It’s Ndxperience. nd it leaves a mark on everyone who watches.
Final Words
Season 5 of The Chosen is a bold step forward. It blends epic scenes with small, human moments. It uses expansive landscapes and close-up emotions to tell the story of Holy Week like never before.
From Utah to Texas, from laughter to tears, from faith to filmmaking—it’s a journey filled with purpose that brings people together and invites them into something greater than themselves.
As the world watches, The Chosen continues to change the way stories of faith are told. Nd Season 5 proves just how powerful that change can be.
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