Although Jesus is the main character in The Chosen, each character has his or her own story and personality, which has been developed throughout the series, giving them an identity full of dynamism and humanity.

Two of the actors who are at the heart of the series are Shahar Isaac (Simon Peter) and Vanessa Benavente (Mary, mother of Jesus). We interviewed both of them on 25 March during the European premiere of Season 5 at the Hotel Four Seasons, in the centre of Madrid.

The first thing that surprises you is their modern image. Unconsciously, one imagines them always in the typical attire of the series (tunic, sandals...). Also of course, the youth of Vanessa Benavente, who in real life is younger than Jonathan Roumie (who plays her ‘son’ Jesus), is particularly striking.

But we immediately engage in conversation, which turns into a nice chat. Both actors are humble, approachable, and with an unbecoming kindness for having already spent four hours giving interviews to media from all over the world, which reflects the interest that the series has generated globally.

Interview Shahar Isaac

Question. What aspect of Peter's personality have you found most difficult to play?

Answer. Nothing and everything, because he is human, imperfect, just like each one of us.

The aim of the series is the unity of the human being, the real and total humanity beyond the clichés that we may have of each character, such as Peter.

Q. Which one have you identified with the most?

A. At the beginning it was a total identification. Fishing, living a simple life, although starting to live with the other disciples was complicated at first, because I like to maintain my individuality and keep things under control.

But when Jesus changed my name from Simon to Peter, with a new responsibility, I felt better in my role; although in this new fifth season I lose all the positive things that I was living as a character.

Q. If you met Simon Peter today, what would you say or ask him?

A. I would ask him, why did Judas end up doing what he did?

Q. Was it easy for you to take part in this project? Because now it is an undoubted success, but at the beginning it was full of uncertainty.

A. It was easy as soon as I read the script of the first four chapters. The strength and depth of the script grabbed me right from the casting. I immediately said to myself, I want to play this role!

Q. What is there of yourself in the character of Peter?

A. My imperfection full of contrasts, sometimes so nice at times, and other times so difficult and negative.

Q. How did you played the denial of Peter to Jesus in this fifth season?

A. It would be a spoiler if I told you, I cannot say anything! And it is incredible to say that, because practically everyone knows the story, but many are intrigued and ask me how it is going to turn out.

That is the great thing about this series, the writers have been able to create an incredible world within the known story that generates so much interest among our audience.

[photo_footer]  Shahar Isaac and Vanessa Benavente, with Pedro Tarquis during the interview. [/photo_footer]

Vanessa Benavente

Q. You said that you love the fact that Mary always has a sense of humour and often jokes with Jesus. Do you think that the religious world has lost this very human aspect?

A. Indeed, the humour in this series is wonderful, thank you for asking me that.

We see Jesus not only enjoying life, dancing and having a good time with his disciples, but also joking with everyone: with his mother, with the people, taking some situations with a healthy irony.

If we really consider that Jesus was fully human, there is no doubt that humour was one of the aspects that he developed and that was part of his charismatic leadership. He was undoubtedly a very profound person, but also warm and friendly in his relationship with others. He was full of grace, but also funny in the best sense of the word.

Q. You have been part of the successful series Griselda with Sofía Vergara and Karol G. How do you experience such different roles in such different contexts as drug trafficking and the Gospels?

A. The 'job' of the actor is the same. And a good script is easy to play, because you remember something or someone related to it.

In the case of Mary, the hour and a half of make-up helps me to get into character. It is a long time, because I have to ‘age’ to look as old as Jesus' mother would have looked.

It helps me that it is a character that doesn't depend on the image, but on delving into her feelings. Focusing on what is really important about the person you are portraying, helps a lot in the acting.

Q. You have given the character of Mary such a great humanity as a woman and as a mother. Did it surprise you? How could you understand Mary like that?

A. Thank you very much. It has helped me a lot to be a mother (I have two girls, aged 3 and 6). In that sense, I have fully identified with Mary, and I have understood her. And of course, to be able to forget about the lights, the indications in front of the camera.

When I talk to Jonathan (Roumie), I really do it as if I were talking to my six-year-old daughter, projecting myself 20 or 25 years into the future and telling her “I'm so proud of you, look what you have achieved”.

Q. What have you discovered about Mary's character by playing her role?

A. Undoubtedly, her strength. There is a preconceived idea of Mary as a vulnerable, fragile and kind woman. And suddenly I find myself with a woman who spent three whole days searching for her lost son.

I imagined her anguish, but also her will to continue searching, almost without eating or drinking. I see in her a strength, a drive that is not present in the image that people have of Mary.

I love to give body and voice to this Mary, who we will see in a special way in this fifth season.

You can also read the interview with Jonathan Roumie and watch the interview with the actor playing Jesus.

This interview was shared with Paula Martín Sánchez, from the Spanish magazine Mundo Cristiano. She asked the last three questions to Shahar Isaac and the last one to Vanessa Benavente.

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