I Don't Care About the Reaction - The Chosen Creator Dallas Jenkins

Dallas Jenkins, the creator of the wildly popular series "The Chosen," offers a candid look into the philosophy behind his show, addressing common questions about its purpose, its embellishments of biblical narratives, and his personal approach to criticism.

The Purpose of "The Chosen": Entertainment First

Jenkins reveals a surprisingly pragmatic approach to the show's purpose: he doesn't think about it. While acknowledging his personal faith and desire for others to know Jesus, his primary focus during writing and directing is to create a good, watchable, and entertaining show. He believes that if the storytelling isn't compelling and doesn't adhere to good filmmaking principles, any "higher mission" will fail anyway. He describes "The Chosen" as a historical drama, and while he's pleased by profound spiritual experiences and conversions among viewers, he's equally content when someone simply finds it entertaining or a compelling historical drama.

Jenkins explains that his approach shifted significantly about eight years ago, around the time he started developing the show. He adopted a philosophy inspired by the biblical story of the five loaves and two fish: he's responsible for providing the "loaves and fish"—making the best show he can, honoring God, and respecting the character and intentions of Jesus in the Gospels. What happens after that, how people respond, is not his concern. This detachment, he argues, prevents him from being crippled by the need to please various audiences or avoid criticism, allowing him to tell the story authentically.