How Dallas Jenkins Turned a Career Failure Into the Hit Faith Series ‘The Chosen’
He faced rejection and heartbreak—then turned to faith and made one of TV’s most beloved shows
Beloved by fans, Dallas Jenkins has become one of the most talked-about Christian filmmakers in recent years, largely thanks to his groundbreaking television series, The Chosen, the first-ever multi-season show about the life of Jesus Christ — which has captured the hearts of millions worldwide.
Although Dallas Jenkins is making waves in modern Christian culture, his journey to success as a filmmaker and director hasn’t been straightforward. From his upbringing in a well-known Christian household to his early career struggles and ultimate triumph with The Chosen, here’s everything you need to know about Dallas Jenkins.
A creative childhood
Dallas Jenkins was born into a family that was no stranger to Christian culture and literature. His father, Jerry B. Jenkins, is a prolific author best known for co-authoring the blockbuster Left Behind book series, which sold more than 60 million copies. Growing up, Dallas was surrounded by stories of faith, biblical themes and strong narratives. However, even though he was the son of a famous writer, Jenkins chased a dream of carving his own path as a filmmaker.
From a young age, Jenkins showed an interest in filmmaking. He dabbled in creating short films and found himself drawn to visual storytelling. While his father dominated the publishing world, Dallas had a vision to bring stories to life on screen.
Dallas Jenkins’ early career in filmmaking
After graduating from Northwestern University with a degree in communications, Jenkins pursued a career in Hollywood. He started directing several short films, and soon, worked his way up through various production roles. In the early 2000s, he began making a name for himself in the independent Christian film scene.
His first major project was the 2006 film Midnight Clear, starring Stephen Baldwin and based on a short story by his father. The film was well-received in Christian circles and hinted at Jenkins’ potential as a visual storyteller similar to his father.
A few years later, Jenkins continued producing and directing, working on projects like What If… (2010), a faith-based romantic drama starring Kevin Sorbo. Jenkins’ early work began to establish him as a reliable voice in Christian entertainment, most well-known for his heart-tugging storytelling.
Dallas Jenkins’ memorable career failure
In 2017, Dallas Jenkins faced a career-defining setback. He directed a mainstream faith-based film called The Resurrection of Gavin Stone and distributed by Universal Pictures. Despite high hopes and a decent production budget, the film flopped at the box office.
Jenkins later described the experience as a low point in his life, both personally and professionally. He has since shared that he felt like his career in Hollywood was over during that time. Jenkins soon found himself praying and re-evaluating his purpose. He believed that God was teaching him a lesson about faith, surrender, and redefining success—not by box office numbers, but by impact.
The Start of ‘The Chosen’
Ironically, Jenkins’ greatest failure laid the groundwork for his most successful project. Shortly after Gavin Stone, Jenkins directed a short film called The Shepherd for his church’s Christmas Eve service. His simple, yet moving, 18-minute short caught the attention of the group of people starting Angel Studios (then known as VidAngel).
In 2018, Jenkins partnered with Angel Studios to launch a crowdfunding campaign for a series that would tell the story of Jesus Christ in a way that had never been done before—through the eyes of those who knew Him. The campaign became the largest media crowdfunding project in history, raising over $10 million from more than 16,000 investors to fund the first season. The project soon became The Chosen.
Filming for The Chosen began in late 2018. “Seven years ago, I did a little short film about the birth of Christ on my friend’s farm in Illinois just 20 minutes from my house,” Jenkins tells Woman’s World in an exclusive interview. “Then that became the first 4 episodes in Season 1 of The Chosen, and then that turned into 8 episodes, and then it started to grow.”
Season 1 premiered in 2019, and the show quickly gained traction due to Dallas’ signature directing style full rich character development and emotionally compelling storytelling. The Chosen focuses on the miracles of Jesus and delves into the personal stories of his followers, like Mary Magdalene, Simon Peter and Matthew the tax collector, making biblical figures relatable in a way rarely seen on screen.
What religion is Dallas Jenkins?
Dallas and his family identify as Evangelical Christian. Jenkins has previously stated that his relationship with Jesus is central to his life and his work.
“I believe Jesus is the Son of God, and He is my personal Lord and Savior,” Jenkins said in an interview with CBN News. “My number one goal in life is to point people to Him.”
Jenkins has been open about having a Protestant Christian background. He often mentions how his faith influences his personal life and his career, especially in The Chosen.
However, Jenkins has also made it clear that The Chosen is created to appeal to a wide audience — not just one denomination. “I’m not making The Chosen just for evangelicals,” he said in a Facebook Live. “This show is for anyone who is curious about Jesus, whether you’re Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, or even not religious at all.”
Meet Dallas Jenkins’ wife and family
Despite his slowly increasing fame, Dallas Jenkins remains deeply rooted in his family. He married Amanda Jenkins in 1998, and they now have four children. Amanda is an author and speaker, and co-writes many of the companion devotional books and study guides associated with The Chosen.
Jenkins frequently emphasizes that The Chosen is not just a job but a ministry. His approach to storytelling is marked by humility, as he regularly reminds fans that the series is a dramatization meant to inspire curiosity about the Bible, not to replace it.
What’s next for ‘The Chosen’ creator?
As of 2025, Dallas Jenkins is working on Season 6 of his global phenomenon, The Chosen.
Beyond the show, Jenkins has also expanded The Chosen brand through books, merchandise, a mobile app and theatrical releases. The project has shifted the landscape of Christian entertainment and helped prove that high-quality, faith-based content can resonate with the masses and compete with Hollywood blockbusters.
Looking ahead, Jenkins has discussed plans to complete The Chosen in 7 seasons, including the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. He’s also hinted at future projects beyond The Chosen, including other biblical stories and perhaps even secular projects that stay true to his passion of creating projects with themes of hope and redemption.
Through all the highs and lows, Jenkins remains candid about his journey of both the crushing failures and the incredible successes. His story of redemption and hard work serves as a reminder that the biggest breakthroughs often come after the deepest disappointments.
Catch up with Jesus and the Disciples in Season 5 of The Chosen — now streaming on Amazon Prime!
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