GOSHEN, Utah — Amid a bustling recreation of first-century Jerusalem, where extras in sandals and linen tunics mill about ancient-looking streets, Dallas Jenkins stands out in his casual gray T-shirt and black pants. The creator, director, and driving force behind the groundbreaking biblical series The Chosen is in his element, headphones around his neck, calling “Action!” as he brings one of the most pivotal moments in Christian history to life.

This month, Jenkins and his team are filming portions of Season 7 — the show’s seventh and final season — at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Motion Picture Studios South Campus in southern Utah County. The sprawling facility has become a key location for Jerusalem scenes in the hit series that has captivated millions of viewers worldwide by humanizing the story of Jesus and his followers.

(Chris Samuels | The Salt Lake Tribune) Details of the set during filming of Season 7 of “The Chosen” in Goshen, Monday, June 8, 2026.

Just a year ago, the same crew was here shooting Season 6, which dramatizes the events of Good Friday and culminates in Jesus’ crucifixion. That season premieres on Prime Video on November 15, 2026, with episodes rolling out weekly through early December. The two-episode finale, featuring the crucifixion, will also receive a special theatrical release next spring.

Now, the focus has shifted to hope and mission. Season 7 explores the days and weeks following Jesus’ death, including his resurrection and the transformative 40 days during which he appeared to his disciples before ascending to heaven. The first two episodes, also slated for theatrical release, will build to the resurrection, while the remaining six delve into the apostles beginning to spread Jesus’ teachings.

Jenkins, speaking during a break in filming, emphasized the narrative shift. “Character development, taking time to know the people around Jesus, has been our specialty through the show’s first five seasons,” he said. Season 6 was intense and compressed because “the story itself dictated how much time we could take on it.” In contrast, Season 7 offers breathing room. “We’re covering at least 40 days, so that gives us a little more freedom to take our time with some of the character development.”

A Massive Undertaking with Global Fans

Hundreds of dedicated fans have traveled to Utah at their own expense to serve as extras, eager to be part of the production. They join professional actors portraying Jesus’ disciples, creating an authentic atmosphere on the meticulously designed sets. Reflective screens and strategic lighting keep prying eyes at bay, but Jenkins remains a constant presence — darting between actors and monitors, fine-tuning every detail.

The Goshen studios primarily host Jerusalem scenes, while much of Season 7’s action shifts to Capernaum, a fishing village on the Sea of Galilee. Those sequences are being filmed at a replica set at 5&2 Studios’ Texas headquarters. The production’s name itself — 5&2 — references the miracle of the five loaves and two fishes, a motif Jenkins has even tattooed on his arm.

Derral Eves, chief strategy officer at 5&2 Studios and an executive producer, has been with Jenkins since the beginning. He describes his longtime collaborator as deeply humble yet increasingly confident as an artist. “He’s super obsessive, because the only person that he cares about pleasing in this is God,” Eves said. “So he takes it really, really seriously.”

Eves highlighted a key scene in the upcoming season: the resurrected Jesus confronting his apostles with a charge to action. “Jesus comes back [to the apostles] and says, ‘What are you doing? I told you to go build my kingdom. Get to work.’”

From Humble Beginnings to Global Phenomenon

When The Chosen launched, Jenkins directed the first four episodes of Season 1 without guaranteed funding to complete the series. He envisioned a seven-season arc but admitted it was more hope than certainty. “There’s a big difference between knowing and hoping,” he reflected. “I hoped that we would do Season 7. I had zero idea that we would get to the rest of Season 1, much less Season 7.”

The show’s innovative approach — telling the greatest story ever told through the eyes of those who knew Jesus — has resonated deeply. Rather than focusing solely on Jesus, it explores how ordinary people were transformed by encountering him. This has drawn both praise and occasional criticism from those preferring strict biblical literalism. Yet Eves points to tangible impact: after an episode featuring the apostle Nathaniel (also known as Bartholomew), Bible app queries about the figure spiked dramatically.

“The world’s already seen the best hits of Jesus Christ… But we’ve never seen it through the eyes of those who he called,” Eves explained.

What Comes After ‘The Chosen’?

With Season 7 set to debut in 2028, Jenkins and his team are already looking ahead. Jenkins serves as executive producer on Joseph of Egypt, an eight-episode limited series for Prime Video based on the Old Testament story. After wrapping The Chosen, he plans a brief break from biblical projects, having previously directed the 2024 hit The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.

Longer-term ambitions include a three-season series on Moses and a sequel to The Chosen focusing on the Book of Acts, chronicling the early church and the missionary work of St. Paul and the apostles.

For now, Jenkins remains grounded. “My superpower is that I actually am really focused on what’s in front of me,” he said. “I really don’t think ahead… What’s been helpful is that I’m not getting ahead of myself.”

As crews continue filming in Goshen this month and Texas throughout the summer, anticipation builds for the emotional conclusion of a series that has redefined biblical storytelling for a new generation. With its blend of historical drama, character depth, and spiritual resonance, The Chosen has not only entertained but inspired viewers to return to the source material with fresh eyes.

The resurrection scenes being prepared in Utah represent more than just a plot point — they symbolize hope, renewal, and the beginning of a movement that changed the world. For Jenkins, Eves, and the dedicated cast and crew, bringing that story to life with authenticity and reverence remains the ultimate mission.