Fans of The Chosen are about to see their favorite stars in an entirely different setting as several cast members leave biblical sets behind for a series of real-life outdoor adventures.
The upcoming six-part series, The Chosen in the Wild with Bear Grylls, pairs actors from the globally popular drama with renowned survival expert Bear Grylls for physically demanding expeditions across some of America’s most rugged landscapes.
Instead of portraying biblical figures, the cast will face nature head-on while sharing personal stories about faith, life, and the impact the show has had on them.
Survival Missions Push Actors to Their Limits
Throughout the series, participants tackle a variety of intense challenges designed to test both their physical endurance and mental resilience.
From parachuting out of aircraft and scaling towering cliffs to eating scorpions and zip-lining over deep canyons, the adventures take the actors well outside their comfort zones.
The journeys unfold across dramatic locations including Utah’s Canyonlands and Castle Valley, the Great Basin Desert, the Colorado River, the Ausable River, and New York’s Adirondack Forest.
Familiar Faces Join Bear Grylls
The lineup features several recognizable stars from The Chosen, including Jonathan Roumie, who portrays Jesus, Noah James, Paras Patel, Luke Dimyan, and Elizabeth Tabish.
Series creator, writer, and director Dallas Jenkins also joins Grylls for his own wilderness experience, offering viewers a closer look at the creative force behind the internationally successful drama.
Each episode focuses on one guest, blending survival challenges with candid conversations that reveal their personal journeys beyond the television screen.
Bear Grylls Wanted Fans to Meet the People Behind the Characters
Grylls explained that the idea grew out of his admiration for The Chosen and his curiosity about the people behind its beloved characters.
While audiences have formed strong connections with the roles portrayed on screen, Grylls believed there was an opportunity to introduce viewers to the actors themselves and explore how portraying these biblical figures has influenced their personal lives and faith.
That vision eventually evolved into a wilderness series combining adventure with heartfelt storytelling.
Jonathan Roumie’s Episode Leaves Lasting Impression
Among all six adventures, Grylls said his experience with Jonathan Roumie stood out as one of the most meaningful of his career.
He described Roumie as remarkably open while discussing the emotional weight of portraying Jesus, revealing thoughts and experiences he had rarely shared publicly.
According to Grylls, their time together became more than a survival challenge, developing into an honest conversation about faith, responsibility, and the personal pressures that come with playing one of history’s most significant figures.
Nature Creates Space for Honest Conversations
Grylls believes challenging outdoor environments naturally encourage authenticity.
He said confronting physical obstacles such as rivers, cliffs, and harsh terrain often strips away barriers, allowing people to speak more openly than they would in traditional interview settings.
That atmosphere, he explained, helped every member of The Chosen cast reflect on their personal experiences and discuss how the series has shaped both their careers and spiritual lives.
A New Way for Fans to Connect With the Cast
Beyond the survival action, the series aims to strengthen the bond between viewers and the performers they have come to know through The Chosen.
Rather than focusing solely on adventure, the episodes offer an intimate look at the personalities, struggles, and beliefs of the actors away from the cameras and costumes.
With just six episodes, Grylls says the project holds a special place for everyone involved and hopes longtime fans will come away with a deeper appreciation for the people behind the globally successful series.
Premiere Set for August
The Chosen in the Wild with Bear Grylls is scheduled to debut on Prime Video on August 9, giving audiences an opportunity to experience a unique blend of survival, storytelling, and personal reflection featuring some of television’s best-known faith-based actors.
