Why would an online television series about Jesus be breaking popularity records? It has no big-name stars or producers. The stories are ancient. Are viewers looking for hope amid pandemic uncertainty? Are they bored with working from home and turning to diversions their bosses cannot monitor? What did TMZ think?

Surprised by The Chosen series’ popularity, I decided to check it out. The episodes portray Jesus’s life with believable dialogue and characters whose genuine, heartfelt emotions — pain, confusion, fear, exhilaration, contentment, awe — help viewers relate these stories to their own struggles and joys.