The fifth season of the scripted drama series “The Chosen” has brought to life one of the most iconic Biblical events – the Last Supper. This event, which marked Jesus Christ’s final meal in Jerusalem with his 12 apostles before his crucifixion, was too monumental to be contained in just one episode. Executive producer Dallas Jenkins explains, “The Last Supper is so long and demands to be treated fully. Jesus gives so many significant truth bombs not only from scripture but in the course of our story.”
To do justice to the Last Supper, Jenkins and his team crafted the season by having each episode open with a scene taking place during the meal. Key moments such as the washing of the feet, the betrayal of Judas, and the prayers and practices of a traditional Passover meal were highlighted in each episode. Jenkins wanted to explore different aspects of the Last Supper that aligned with the themes of the individual episodes.
Unlike previous big events in the series, such as the Sermon on the Mount, Jenkins took a different approach with the Last Supper. The episodes were filmed in chronological order over four days, with each Last Supper segment presented in reverse order per episode. This decision was made to allow the actors to experience the emotional arc of the moments and to keep the audience engaged and on their toes.
Production designer James Cunningham played a crucial role in bringing the Last Supper to life on screen. He and his team built a U-shaped table known as a triclinium, a traditional table used in the 1st century for communal dining. The table was constructed from oak and designed to accommodate all the actors, lighting needs, and camera angles.
Biblical research guided the seating arrangement at the Last Supper table. Jesus, as the host, would have sat on the left side, with Peter across from him as the most honored guest. Judas would have been seated to Jesus’ left, while John would have been to his right. The empty seat for prophet Elijah symbolized the hope of redemption.
While some adjustments were made for production reasons, such as centering Jesus in the room for symmetry, the traditional seating placements were largely followed to honor the historical and symbolic significance of the Last Supper. The attention to detail in recreating this iconic event showcases the dedication and commitment of the cast and crew of “The Chosen” in bringing this pivotal moment in Christian history to life on screen. The Last Supper scenes in “The Chosen” were meticulously crafted to ensure accuracy and authenticity. Dallas Jenkins, the creator and director of the show, made sure to pay attention to even the smallest details to bring the scene to life. Wooden benches were used during the multiple days of shooting to ensure the cast’s comfort and create a realistic setting.
To ensure accuracy for the traditional Passover meal, a seder expert was enlisted to provide guidance. While staying true to the era, some creative liberties were taken, such as using plates and silverware for eating instead of eating with hands, which would have been more historically accurate. The table cloth was also made lighter to allow for better lighting and ambiance during filming.
The Last Supper set proved to be the most challenging aspect of Season 5 for the production team. Two weeks before filming began, it was discovered that the initial set design was not large enough to accommodate the full cast and crew. A quick redesign was necessary, but when everything came together on set with the lighting, table set, and actors in place, it was a moment of relief and emotion for the team. Despite the challenges, the set captured the essence of the iconic story and left a lasting impact on everyone involved.
Overall, the attention to detail and commitment to authenticity in “The Chosen” brought the Last Supper scene to life in a way that resonated with audiences. The dedication of the cast and crew, along with the creative vision of Dallas Jenkins, resulted in a powerful and unforgettable portrayal of this pivotal moment in history.
