Taye Diggs Joins The Chosen Christmas Special Premiering on Fox
The Chosen: The Three Kings debuts December 14, marking the franchise's first broadcast network special.
1Broadcast Television Debut
The Chosen: The Three Kings will premiere on Fox on Monday, December 14, at 8 p.m. ET. This installment marks the first time the franchise’s Christmas special airs on a broadcast network. Following the television broadcast, the special will be available for streaming on Hulu starting the very next day.
2Taye Diggs Joins Cast
Actor Taye Diggs has been cast as Balthasar for the upcoming special. He joins Piter Marek, who plays Melchior, and Rahul Rai, who portrays Gaspar. These three actors will depict the journey of the three kings as they travel to Bethlehem to pay tribute to the newborn king, Jesus of Nazareth.
3Franchise Christmas Trilogy
This project serves as the third and final chapter in The Chosen’s Christmas trilogy. The previous specials included The Shepherd, which premiered on Facebook in 2017, and The Messengers, which was released in movie theaters in 2021. This evolution highlights the franchise's transition from social media to traditional broadcast television platforms.
4Narrative and Prophecy
The plot centers on an impossible bright light over Bethlehem that alerts distant lands to a new ruler. The three kings, fearing regime change or potential death, embark on a high-stakes journey. Their discovery upon arrival is intended to change their lives and the entire world, offering a deeply human perspective.
5Production and Leadership
Dallas Jenkins, the creator of The Chosen, serves as executive producer alongside Ryan Swanson and Tyler Thompson. The special is produced by 5 2 Studios. This production team continues to expand the universe, which now includes various spin-offs and series distributed across multiple platforms, including Prime Video and other digital outlets.
6Cast Backgrounds
Taye Diggs brings extensive experience from Broadway productions like Chicago, Wicked, and Moulin Rouge, alongside television roles in All American and Private Practice. Piter Marek has appeared in The Blacklist and Chicago Fire, while Rahul Rai has credits in Barry and The Upshaws, rounding out the trio of lead performers.
7Broader Franchise Strategy
The Chosen maintains a multi-faceted deal with Amazon MGM Studios, which includes exclusive U.S. streaming rights and theatrical releases for new installments. While this special airs on Fox, the main series moved to Prime Video last year. Season 6 of the primary series is scheduled to premiere on November 15.
8Expanding The Chosen Universe
Beyond the core series and Christmas specials, 5 2 Studios is actively growing the brand. Other projects in the universe include The Chosen in the Wild with Bear Grylls, Joseph of Egypt, and The Chosen Adventures. These initiatives demonstrate a strategy to diversify content while maintaining the show's historical drama roots.
Original article: Variety – TV — Taye Diggs Joins The Chosen Christmas Special Premiering on Fox