Jesus series 'The Chosen' gets waiver amid SAG strike
Fans of the historical drama “The Chosen” are rejoicing.
The series has been granted a waiver from SAG-AFTRA to continue filming amid the ongoing strike.
“Great news! We just received word from SAG that we have been approved for a waiver. We’ll continue shooting on Monday,” the series’ official Twitter account announced Sunday.
“To be clear: 1. We’ve agreed to all of SAG’s requests and their interim agreement. 2. Season 4 is entirely independent and 100% funded by donations,” they added on Monday.
This means the Jesus of Nazareth series only missed a day or two of filming, Deadline reported. The cast includes several SAG members, including Jonathan Roumie, who plays Jesus.
The series is the first known TV show to be granted an exemption from the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, which counts some of Hollywood’s biggest stars among its many members.
Jonathan Roumie (in purple) leads the cast of “The Chosen.” Angel Studios
While other projects can fill out waivers to become exempt, only “truly independent producers” — rather than projects made with big studios — will be granted permission to continue production.
“The Chosen” recently announced a distribution deal with Lionsgate and previous seasons have been sold to CW, Netflix, Amazon and Peacock.
Deadline reports those deals were believed to only be for Seasons 1 to 3, so Season 4’s distribution is unclear.
The show tells the story of Jesus of Nazareth. Angel Studios
The Post has contacted series reps for comment.
On Saturday, “The Chosen” creator Dallas Jenkins took to Instagram to plead with SAG for an exemption.
“We’ve submitted all the requested paperwork immediately. We fit all qualifications for an exemption. Every day that goes by without your response costs us hundreds of thousands of dollars while your actors are stuck in Utah. We’re the good guys. We’ve treated your actors well,” he wrote.
People picketed outside of Warner Bros. Discovery and Netflix HQs in NYC on Monday. SARAH YENESEL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
“The Chosen” is the first SAG-approved exemption amid the strike. Andrew H. Walker/Shutterstock
On July 13, SAG-AFTRA unanimously voted to stop working after their contract expired and talks broke off with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents streamers Disney, Netflix, Amazon and others.
SAG members joined the picket line Thursday with already striking screenwriters, officially putting all of Hollywood on hiatus.
This is the first SAG member strike since 1980.
Source: New York Post
