The Chosen, created by Dallas Jenkins, has gained worldwide attention for its fresh and engaging portrayal of the life of Jesus Christ. Instead of focusing solely on major biblical events, the series gives a more personal view of Jesus through the eyes of those closest to Him. As the drama approaches its fifth season, it goes into great detail about some of the most important events in His journey, such as His triumphant entry into Jerusalem and the events that led up to the Last Supper.
But have you ever thought about where this interesting narrative was shot? The Chosen Season 5 was filmed in two main places in the U.S.: Midlothian, Texas, and Goshen, Utah. Although the story is set in ancient Israel, let’s explore these filming locations and discuss why they were effective in recreating 1st-century Judea.
The Chosen Season 5 Filming Locations
The Chosen takes place in ancient Israel; however, the movie was really shot in the United States, in Midlothian, Texas, and Goshen, Utah. These places have been a big part of the show from the first few seasons, and Season 5, which was filmed from April to July 2024, kept that going. The production team spent 68 days filming at these two locations to make the complicated sets needed for this important season. Both places have a mix of purpose-built sets and natural settings that properly recreate the historical and spiritual setting of Jesus’ mission.
Midlothian, Texas: The Heart of The Chosen’s Production
The primary filming hub for Season 5 was Camp Hoblitzelle in Midlothian, Texas, a 1,200-acre property owned by The Salvation Army, located about 35 miles southeast of Fort Worth. This site has been a cornerstone for The Chosen since Season 3, and it’s easy to see why. The camp features a massive 30,000-square-foot soundstage and a 2-acre Biblical village set that brings first-century Israel to life. Think bustling marketplaces, Jewish homes, a synagogue, fishing wharves, and even a lake that stands in for the Sea of Galilee. These detailed sets were crucial for filming key Season 5 moments, like the Last Supper, which required a highly authentic indoor setting.
What makes Midlothian special is its geography. The dry, sun-soaked terrain and rolling fields mirror the arid landscapes of ancient Judea. During the summer months, when Season 5 was filmed, the weather added an extra layer of realism to outdoor scenes. The production team built 55 distinct sets at Camp Hoblitzelle, with 200 crew members working for six months to perfect every detail. From stone walls to stucco finishes, the sets were crafted with care—some crew members even inscribed their favorite Bible verses on the raw materials before construction was completed, adding a personal touch to the project.
The Chosen has changed a lot since they started working with The Salvation Army. Dallas Jenkins describes their partnership with The Salvation Army as mutually beneficial, as it provides them with a permanent base, eliminating the need to create new sets each season. The team’s focus can be on presenting stories and getting to know the people in the area because of this consistency. Fans often take special tours of the Midlothian set, and many locals work as extras, adding excitement to crowd scenes. The connection with fans gives the show a distinct sense, as if everyone is on the same path.
Goshen, Utah: A Slice of Jerusalem in the Desert
While Midlothian was the main base, the team also filmed in Goshen, Utah, at the LDS Motion Picture Studio, located at 12800 Sand Hill Road, about 70 miles south of Salt Lake City. This permanent set, built by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is designed to depict ancient Jerusalem and other Biblical settings. The Chosen has used this location since Season 2, and for Season 5, the crew spent 26 days shooting there. The set’s rugged terrain, surrounded by the Wasatch and Oquirrh mountain ranges, creates a stunning backdrop that feels like the Holy Land.
Dallas Jenkins has praised the Goshen set, calling it “extraordinary” and “humbling.” Jenkins feels like he has to match the quality of the show’s storytelling to the detailed Jerusalem model, which has stone buildings and a large layout. The set’s flexibility lets the team use different parts of it for different scenarios, which is perfect for showing the different places that Holy Week takes place. For instance, one part might be a busy street in Jerusalem in one scene and a tranquil village in another.
One of the best parts of filming in Goshen was having 600 fans come from as far away as Botswana to be extras. These fans, who were excited to be a part of the show, made crowd scenes more exciting and made them feel more connected to the mission of The Chosen. The LDS Motion Picture Studio isn’t open to the public, but because it is such an important part of the show, the cast, staff, and fans all see it as a hallowed area. The natural amphitheater and wide views helped make memorable scenes, like Jesus speaking to big crowds, that stay with viewers.
When Did the Filming of The Chosen Season 5 Take Place?
Filming for Season 5 started on April 11, 2024, in Utah and moved to Midlothian, Texas. It took a total of 68 days to finish. After filming scenes at Camp Hoblitzelle, the project ended in Texas.
We selected both locations to replicate the topography and ambiance of the Holy Land. The natural amphitheater and mountain ranges (Wasatch and Oquirrh) in the Utah set make for beautiful backdrops for scenarios like Jesus speaking to multitudes. The elaborate village and soundstage in the Midlothian set allowed for complex indoor and outdoor sequences, like those in Capernaum or smaller villages.
The Magic Behind the Scenes
It was no minor task to film Season 5. The crew worked hard to make sure that the movie was both historically accurate and effective at delivering a tale. The 55 sets in Midlothian were meant to look like everyday life in Judea in the first century, with busy markets and calm dwellings. The soundstage made it possible to film complex situations, like the Last Supper, with great accuracy. In Goshen, the Jerusalem set’s permanent buildings and natural environs made it possible to film huge crowd scenes without leaving the country.
The show’s pick of these places also shows how much it cares about its fans. The team can focus on making high-quality episodes while keeping expenses low by filming in places that are easy to get to and have all the equipment they need. This is important for a crowdfunded series. The result is a Season 5 that feels both big and small, conveying the spiritual weight of Holy Week while also being authentic to the program.
Watch THE CHOSEN Season 5 Trailer
Stay tuned on Spiky TV for more updates on your favorite shows and their filming secrets!
Must Read: Where Was Duster Filmed? Top HBO Max Show Locations Revealed
