{"id":4254,"date":"2024-10-27T10:56:09","date_gmt":"2024-10-27T14:56:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/latestnews\/?p=4254"},"modified":"2024-11-01T14:23:57","modified_gmt":"2024-11-01T18:23:57","slug":"jesus-gets-animated-in-new-series-the-chosen-adventures","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/latestnews\/2024\/10\/27\/jesus-gets-animated-in-new-series-the-chosen-adventures\/","title":{"rendered":"Jesus Gets Animated in New Series ‘The Chosen Adventures’"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"
The Chosen \/ YouTube<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

During last month\u2019s \u201cChosen Con\u201d event in Orlando, more than 5,000 fans of the massive show got a sneak peek at the newest spinoff of the series, \u201cThe Chosen Adventures,\u201d an animated show for children featuring biblical characters. Under the supervision of \u201cThe Chosen\u201d creator Dallas Jenkins and the direction of showrunner Ryan Swanson, the 14-episode series is scheduled to premiere next year.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2019The Chosen Adventures\u2019 is going to appeal to kids even more so than the mothership show,\u201d Jenkins said.<\/p>\n

While the series is written to appeal to children, the creators believe it will expand beyond its intended audience and be a favorite of all ages; \u201cWe wanted to make sure that parents weren’t rolling their eyes as their kids were watching. When my kids were growing up, there were certain shows and even movies where we sat down with them because we knew we were going to have a good time too. So, we really made sure that this show was for them as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

During a live stream presentation during the conference, Jenkins brought Derral Eaves, executive producer of \u201cThe Chosen,\u201d onstage and credited him with the initial inspiration and drive to make the new series happen. Eaves explained it was the shooting of the third episode of the first season, where Jesus interacted with children, that placed the idea in his heart.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was seeing something I’ve never seen before, which is Jesus interacting authentically with kids,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd I’m like, \u2018Man, this generation needs Jesus. He needs what Jesus taught over 2,000 years ago. And for me, it’s been on my heart, literally, for our kids and future grandkids . . . it’s just that’s the world needs it right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Chosen Adventures\u201d\u00a0follows nine-year-old Abby in the Galilean city of Capernaum, circa 30 CE. Inquisitive young Abby is bursting at the seams with questions and feels she doesn\u2019t have the kinds of answers she\u2019s looking for. When she and her best friend, Joshua, meet Jesus, will all that change? The 14-episode animated series features the voice talents of Emmy\u00ae\u00a0winner\u00a0Paul Walter Hauser\u00a0(\u201cBlack Bird,\u201d\u00a0\u201cI, Tonya\u201d),\u00a0Emmy\u00ae\u00a0nominee\u00a0Yvonne Orji\u00a0(\u201cInsecure\u201d) and two-time GRAMMY\u00ae-nominated artist\u00a0Jordin Sparks, as well cast members from\u00a0\u201cThe Chosen,\u201d including Jonathan Roumie, Paras Patel, Elizabeth Tabish, Noah James, Joey Vahedi, Yasmine Al-Bustami, Brandon Potter and George H. Xanthis.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m thrilled to welcome Paul, Yvonne, and Jordin into\u00a0\u201cThe Chosen\u201d\u00a0family as we continue to produce more incredible content for our fans,\u201d said\u00a0Ryan Swanson, Creator\/Executive Producer of\u00a0\u201cThe Chosen Adventures\u201d\u00a0and Executive Producer of\u00a0\u201cThe Chosen.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0\u201cWe were surprised and encouraged to discover that children have been watching\u00a0\u2018The Chosen\u2019\u00a0alongside their parents, so we wanted to continue the family co-viewing experience by creating an animated series that is full of humor, heartfelt life lessons, and loveable characters.\u201d<\/p>\n

Swanson, who calls himself a \u201clifelong animated watcher,\u201d says that even though the goal will be to capture kid\u2019s imaginations, the ultimate purpose is much more serious.<\/p>\n

\u201cNone of it matters if we’re not connecting with kids with Word,\u201d he said. \u201cSo Jesus is a central character in the show. He, as Jonathan just explained (in the promo video) is a teacher figure. But these kids are doing relatable kid things.\u201d<\/p>\n

In episodes, viewers will see young Abby going to synagogue, being bored when her parents are busy, and taking a boat out on the water without supervision.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome of these things that we can relate to now we imagine Abby could relate to 2000 years ago,\u201d Swanson said.<\/p>\n

Jenkins added, \u201cWe cover some of the Bible stories from the Gospels, obviously, and the kids interact and engage in those stories, but also showing them biblical truths, biblical concepts that you as a parent or as a grandparent are going to actually be proud to show to your kids, and maybe in a way that they might not fully understand in our current show. This is going to be even more palatable, more relatable to kids, and we’re going to see Jesus through the eyes of the childlike faith that He actually wants us adults to have. And so that’s the beauty and the joy of the show.\u201d<\/p>\n

In addition to \u201cThe Chosen Adventures,\u201d additional spinoffs announced at the convention include a three-season series following Moses\u2019 story, a limited series featuring the life of Joseph, and the next chapter following The Chosen with \u201cThe Acts of the Apostles.\u201d Click below for a preview of the new series.
\n<\/code><\/p>\n