What started as a small pilot in 2017, created by Illinois-born filmmaker Dallas Jenkins, The Chosen is now a multi-million dollar success that’s taken the U.S. by storm. Telling the story of Jesus of Nazareth, this crowdfunded show has run for over 5 seasons (projected to be 7 seasons) and can be watched on its app and popular streaming platforms like Amazon and Netflix. More than 280 million people across 175 countries have watched The Chosen, which has garnered red carpet premieres, limited theatrical releases, and a massive fanbase captivated by Jesus’s story.
Jesus of Nazareth has been portrayed several other times on screen and stage, including Ted Neeley in the 1973 film, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Jim Caviezel in Mel Gibson’s 2004 film, The Passion of the Christ. When speaking about the series, Dallas Jenkins stated, “There have been many Jesus movies and miniseries and I’ve seen almost all of them, but there’s never been a multi-season show where you can take your time to develop the stories, develop the characters, develop backstories, where you can really explore the humanity of these people.
The reason we love long-form series is because we can invest in the characters, invest in the story development, and that’s never been done before in a Jesus project.” Maybe it’s the characters we see ourselves in, the raw moments that mirror real life, or the way humor and heartache meet—but the filming locations of The Chosen also play a major role in making the series feel deeply authentic. Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at where The Chosen is filmed and discover what unfolds when the cameras start rolling.
The Chosen Filming Locations: Behind the Scenes at the Utah & Texas Sets
Recreating a lifelike Judea and Galilee is a massive undertaking, and The Chosen’s creator, Dallas Jenkins, searched high and wide for the perfect set to make Jesus’ home come to life. Jenkins has spoken numerous times about his desire to make the series as authentic as possible, ensuring Jesus’ story remains accessible and accurate to modern audiences. So, where do you find a place like the Middle East with a limited budget and a big vision? Dallas Jenkins landed upon two rugged, geographically diverse states: Texas and Utah. Throughout all seasons of The Chosen, the cast and crew have traveled between these locations to bring the story of Jesus of Nazareth to life. Here are some of the standout filming spots in each region:
Capernaum Studios: Weatherford, Texas
Most of Seasons 1 and 2 of The Chosen were filmed at a small studio outside Fort Worth, Texas. In the unincorporated community of Poolville in Weatherford, Texas, Capernaum Studios caught Dallas Jenkins’ attention due to its history as an ideal location for productions set in the first century. The studio specializes in faith-based, historical sets and boasts ample amounts of space and privacy, further attracting Jenkins to the filming location.
Capernaum Studios provides indoor and outdoor sets, allowing the creators to portray an accurate first-century Middle East environment. Although Texas weather is parched and hot, making it challenging on the cast and crew, it perfectly mirrors the climate and conditions of Jesus’ time, further adding to the realism of The Chosen’s first two seasons.
Can You Visit The Chosen Set in Weatherford, Texas? Yes, Capernaum Studios offers visitors tours of the studio lot. During the tour, you can walk through the sets The Chosen used and experience first-hand what Judea and Galilee could’ve felt like in Jesus’ time.
The Goshen Movie Set: Goshen, Utah
Starting in Season 2, James Cunningham, the show’s production designer, realized the series required more space. “In Season 1, we had nowhere to go,” recalled Cunningham, “There was this little place called Capernaum Studios near Weatherford, Texas. It was this tiny little replica of part of Capernaum, and we shot most of Season 1 in that little space. And we really shot the heck out of it. We could only make the spaces look so different for so long. That’s what prompted us, in Season 2, to find the place in Utah, which [The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints] was generous enough to let us use.”
The space Cunningham is referring to? It’s the Goshen Movie Set or Jerusalem Set in Goshen, Utah. Standing as a replica of ancient Jerusalem, this film set has been used for various religious projects, including The Chosen. Nestled in rural Utah, the 3-acre set features a desert-like landscape reminiscent of the Judean Plains, sand dunes, an area that’s similar to the Pool of Bethesda, a river resembling the Jordan River, and a space designed to evoke the Garden of Gethsemane—all significant locations from Jesus’ life. The lifelike set is incredibly detailed and intricate, even making the cast and crew forget they’re not actually in the first-century Middle East. The creators of The Chosen had their eyes on the Goshen set even while filming Season 1 in rural Texas, but the LDS Church, which owns the set, had not previously allowed outside productions to use it. However, after seeing the show themselves, some church leaders decided to talk with Dallas Jenkins, and the rest is history.
Since Season 2, The Chosen has been filmed in Goshen, Utah, countless times. Even some of the show’s fans have been able to be on the set during filming. For 3 weeks, 600 unpaid extras were on location, filming scenes voluntarily for Season 6. A few off-set locations in Utah have also been used for scenes in the series, including the Little Sahara Sand Dunes in Juab County and the Bonneville Salt Flats in Tooele County.
Can You Visit The Chosen’s Utah Filming Location? Currently, public access to the Goshen Move Set is not publicly advertised. Given that it’s an ongoing set used for multiple projects, the privacy and security of cast and crew members are prioritized during the filming process. However, many other popular movies and shows have been filmed in Utah, where you can visit and be immersed in the storyline.
Camp Hoblitzelle: Midlothian, Texas
While Utah is clearly a favorite of The Chosen‘s cast and crew, the show’s growing success has called for more space and fresh filming locations. During the height of COVID-19, The Chosen creators signed a partnership with The Salvation Army’s Camp Hoblitzelle in Midlothian, Texas. Located South of Dallas-Fort Worth, the camp is 1,200 acres, with the show’s creators signing a multi-year lease with the camp for 900 acres of the property. In a 9-month stint, the production team worked on constructing a detailed biblical village set, complete with a 30,000-square-foot soundstage and a first-century city that reaches over 2 acres. The massive set, worth millions of dollars, includes:
- A first-century cafe and butcher shop.
- A governor’s mansion.
- Replica first-century Jewish homes.
- Fake palm trees.
- A Roman section with soldier barracks, painted symbol, and replica graffiti from Pompeii.
- A large mosaic featuring Neptune, the Roman god of water and seas.
- Plans to bring in olive trees at some point to help create the Garden of Gethsemane.
Apart from the biblical village, there are 24 bungalows and 200 square feet of space for the cast and crew to enjoy an air-conditioned room with a couch, bathroom, desk, and mirror. Now known as The Chosen’s permanent home, this Texas filming location has successfully transported viewers and crew members to the first-century Middle East for numerous seasons. Although most filming takes place at Camp Hoblitzelle, The Chosen’s creators continue to use the Goshen set for various episodes, traveling back and forth between the two locations for seasons 3, 4, 5, and beyond.
Can You Visit Camp Hoblitselle in Midlothian, Texas? While Camp Hoblitzelle doesn’t typically offer tours of the entire property or sets, it hosts various activities, including summer camps, horseback riding, religious events, and more. It’s easily reachable by car, but it’s recommended that you contact them on their website for more information.
Film Your Show With Avalanche Studios
Do you feel inspired by shows like The Chosen and the creators’ ability to bring groundbreaking historical moments to life? With the help of the professional team at Avalanche Studios, you can do the same with your own production. Our award-winning crew of writers, directors, producers, and creatives is known for their ability to bring a vision to life on screen.
Whether you want to make a documentary that resonates with viewers or a comedic show that brings a sense of playfulness to the audience, our team at Avalanche Studios can help make it happen. With years of experience, we know the best filming locations for your production, from the red rocks of Southern Utah to the scenic northern mountains. Let’s make your show a reality— contact us to receive a free quote for your next project.
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