If you’re a fan of the hit series “The Chosen” and wondering if there’s a director’s cut that includes “deleted scenes,” there is a good substitute. They’re not deleted scenes, but additional ones, and they were never shot, just written by someone close to the series showrunner.
The father of the show’s creator just happens to be the author of one of the most popular Christian book series of all time.
Jerry B. Jenkins, who rose to fame writing the “Left Behind” series of novels, has written companion novels for each season of the popular series, produced, directed, and written by his son, Dallas. Jenkins’s latest book, “Not My Will,” is released in conjunction with season five of the series, now airing on Amazon Prime. “The Chosen” will run seven seasons, so expect two more books that will go along with the series.
In an email interview, Jenkins noted that his son had a major hit on his hands and saw the opportunity to flesh out the story:
“I had helped Dallas early in his career in Hollywood by financing his movies, but ‘The Chosen’ was all his. When I saw the pilot, I immediately recognized how huge it could be (though I confess I had no idea it would be this big), so I sort of pressed my nose up against the glass and asked if I could play too. He was happy to have me write a novel to accompany each season.”
The books feature more detailed backstories for the main characters along with stories and characters that aren’t in the series. Jenkins has received very positive feedback about the books and how they add to the show.
“It’s been gratifying to hear from many that they understand the series better by reading the novels. And novels and TV shows are in many ways different mediums, so I’m free to dig deeper,” he stated in the interview.
The books are suitable for young people, as Jenkins feels “well-read junior high students” would enjoy them.
So which comes first, the chicken or the egg? Or, in this case, the books or the series? Jenkins says the original script comes from the best-selling book of all time:
“We go at this in reverse of the normal book/screen paradigm. The TV show is based on the Bible, and the novels are based on the TV show. I erred with my first attempt, virtually mirroring what was on the screen. Dallas and his cowriters reminded me that they wanted me on this project to bring added value—more characters, more imagined scenes, more inner monologue, etc. So I went back to the drawing board and felt great freedom to break free and do just that.”
As for those “imagined scenes,” well, there aren’t exactly verbatim conversations written down that took place 2,000 years ago. That’s where creativity comes in.
“I base the novels on the TV series scripts,” he said, “but I try to bring added value by introducing even more characters and scenarios, more inner monologue, and sensory details. The conversations grow out of the action and the character arcs.”
When asked what Jesus and the apostles might think of the series and the books, Jenkins thinks he’d get good reviews of both since it spreads the stories of the Bible.
“My guess is that they would be pleased with anything that increases the interest in and conversations about the truth of the Scriptures,” he said. “That ‘The Chosen’ has become such an international phenomenon indicates that something within it is widely resonating.”
‘The Chosen: Not My Will’
By Jerry B. Jenkins
BroadStreet Publishing: July 1, 2025
Paperback, 320 pages
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