Playing Judas Iscariot—the disciple who betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver—is no easy task. Yet, The Chosen actor Luke Dimyan has embraced the challenge with deep thoughtfulness, seeking to portray Judas with empathy and emotion rather than one-dimensional villainy.

In a recent YouTube video for The Chosen, Dimyan offered insight into his approach to the role, highlighting the complexity of a man who walked alongside Jesus yet ultimately misunderstood His mission.

“I think he loves very deeply,” Dimyan said. “Like, he truly, with all his heart, has no ulterior motives. He will wear his heart on his sleeve. He’s loud, he’s not very cunning, he’s just honest—although, sometimes, maybe his honesty can be a bit abrasive and can get him into trouble.”

While Judas has often been depicted as an outright deceiver, Dimyan sees him differently. Instead of a scheming traitor, he describes Judas as someone who experiences “an overwhelming frustration” and struggles with an affection that is “not reciprocated.”

One of the most compelling aspects of Dimyan’s performance is how he emphasizes Judas’ inability to grasp Jesus’ teachings fully despite being so close to Him.

“This is a man who is walking with Jesus, literally right next to Him, but didn’t understand any of His teachings,” Dimyan explained.

As The Chosen moves toward Season 5, which will depict Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem and the events leading to His crucifixion, Dimyan believes that Judas’ eventual betrayal is the result of a slow unraveling rather than a single moment of treachery.

“I think that’s all just bubbling up and culminating to the ultimate break of what Season 5 is going to walk into,” he added.

In an interview with Collider, Dimyan stressed that The Chosen gives viewers a deeper look at Judas’ journey rather than reducing him to a one-note antagonist.

“We all know where his story ends, but The Chosen really takes the time to show how he gets there,” he said. “He’s not some evil mastermind—he’s just a guy trying to figure things out, and sometimes, he gets it wrong.”

Dimyan, who grew up reading the Bible and studying its stories, has long been intrigued by the layers of Judas’ character. In an interview with People, he pushed back against the idea that Judas was simply greedy or manipulated by the devil.

“In every dogmatic sense, you are just meant to hate Judas. But if it was all about money, he could have left. He didn’t,” Dimyan pointed out. “His betrayal couldn’t even make it past the trial. He couldn’t even make it to the crucifixion.”

For Dimyan, Judas’ tragic end is something to mourn rather than just condemn.

“He lost everything,” he said. “And when you’re filled with such despair, with such depression, with such heartache, that you inevitably take your own life, I feel like that’s something to mourn. It’s heartbreaking.”

Dimyan’s portrayal of Judas serves as a powerful reminder that even those closest to Jesus can struggle with doubt and misunderstanding. While Judas’ story is one of betrayal, it is also a deeply human one—marked by flaws, heartbreak, and lost potential.

As The Chosen continues to bring the Gospels to life, Dimyan’s portrayal challenges viewers to see Judas not just as a villain but as a broken man whose choices led to devastating consequences.