The highly anticipated fifth season of The Chosen, the international hit series depicting the life of Jesus Christ, premiered in Sydney last month to an enthusiastic crowd, including fans, faith leaders, and special guests. Among them was Greek Australian actor George Xanthis, who plays the Apostle John in the series.
Held at HOYTS Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park, the red-carpet event marked the only Australian premiere for The Chosen: Last Supper, which opens in cinemas across Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands on 10 April.
For Xanthis, returning to Australia for the premiere was especially meaningful.
“I actually feel a really strong connection to John because of my Greek heritage,” he told The Greek Herald in an interview on the day.
“John wrote his book in Greek… so there’s are so many synergies with the character.
“But it’s also very special to be able to watch the show I associate with my life overseas and to come back home and have this amazing welcome from all these amazing fans, in a theatre that I used to frequent when I was a kid. It’s a dream come true.”
Season 5 of The Chosen focuses on Holy Week, the most profound and emotional period in the Christian calendar, leading up to Christ’s crucifixion. Xanthis said the show’s portrayal of Holy Week brings both joy and sorrow to life.
“It’s not just about the sad times, like the Last Supper, but also the triumphant entry. The joy that they all felt… reminds us that they thought their Messiah was going to come as a warrior,” Xanthis said.
“I just love how our show depicts every single high and low of Holy Week. It’s very educational for people who may not have known how Holy Week unfolded.”
The series, which began as a crowd-funded project, has since grown into a global phenomenon, with nearly 900 million episode views and over 17 million social media followers. This season’s key art was revealed in NY’s Times Square, photographed by renowned artist Annie Leibovitz, and the trailer quickly topped YouTube’s trending charts.
One attendee at the premiere, Christina Rochios, reflected on how powerfully the series resonates with modern audiences.
“Not only have we found The Chosen to be a really enjoyable show to watch, it’s also been really educational for us, helping us understand the context of the New Testament and connect with the early Church Saints on a personal level,” Christina said.
After viewing the premiere episodes, Christina added: “The content, the character development, the story line—everything was really well thought out and executed! With Holy Week and Pascha only a few weeks away… the release of Season 5 couldn’t have been timed better.”
As Easter approaches, The Chosen: Last Supper offers a moving and accessible way for audiences to reflect on the final days of Jesus’ life, told through intimate storytelling, historical depth, and heartfelt performances.
*All photos from the Sydney premiere copyright The Greek Herald / Panayioti Zoupantis
