Ruslan KD Podcast Jonathan Roumie From The Chosen Admits Crucifixion Screen Broke Him
Feb 25, 2026
Jonathan Roumie, actor known for portraying Jesus in The Chosen, speaks about the emotional and physical cost of filming the crucifixion. He describes how immersive acting led to real pain and PTSD-like reactions. The conversation also covers realistic scourgings, on-set injuries, and the spiritual meaning he found in suffering.
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Filming The Chosen Crucifixion Broke Jonathan Roumie
- Jonathan Roumie says filming The Chosen season six crucifixion was the hardest thing he's ever done and left him emotionally broken.
- He describes carrying the cross, long scourgings with foam props that still left marks, and crew reactions that revealed real trauma.
Acting Trauma Feels Real To The Brain
- Jonathan explains his brain can't tell the difference when an actor summons real suffering, producing fight-or-flight physical responses.
- He links intense character immersion to actors' mental health struggles like Heath Ledger and Shia LaBeouf as similar examples.
Prayer, Injury, And Carrying The Cross On Set
- Jonathan prayed to share a fraction of Christ's suffering and then dislocated his ac joint on day one, which he ended up carrying the cross on.
- He describes long days where even foam whips left marks after hours of takes, which he offered up as sacrifice.