Revive Our Hearts

Chosen, the show that everyone is talking about. It tells the story of the origins of Jesus and his disciples in a very creative and powerful way. One of the stars of the show is Vanessa Benavente, and she joined me today on the podcast to talk about her role as the mother of Jesus, playing Mary and much, much more.

She also talks about her faith and some of the things that she’s learned about the Lord since starting this show. It’s been an incredible journey for her as she reflects on the character of Mary. Now, this will be in two parts, so this is part one, and then next week we’ll be putting part two out for you all. So, here we go, part one with Vanessa Benavente.

<strong>Vanessa:</strong> Hi, thank you for having me.

<strong>Gari:</strong> Oh, it is a delight to have you here. This is so exciting. This is quite an accomplishment to land a role such as playing the mother of Jesus. I can’t even imagine what that would be like. So, Vanessa, I saw you at the Museum of the Bible just a couple years ago. They had a reception there for some of the characters in the movie. It was so exciting just to sit there in that beautiful building and know that, wow, the chosen actors were there. That was a big treat for me. I follow the show closely, so it was fun.

Tell us about your background, Vanessa. I know you’re originally from Peru, right? And I was raised there as a child too. I lived there for a year with my grandparents. Tell us about your time in Peru, how old you were when you started acting, and what that journey looked like for you.

<strong>Vanessa:</strong> Yes, so I was born in Peru, in Lima, the capital. I was always sort of an artistic child. I was looking for ways to express myself. My mother says that I was putting on shows and writing stories since I can remember. I decided to start acting professionally when I was 13 years old. In Peru, at the time, there were no acting schools. It was more about taking workshops. I auditioned for a professional theater company that also did musical theater for kids. I worked with them for three or four years. It was a rigorous training that really prepared me for the professional world.

I went to university to study media communications because back then, acting was still seen as more of a hobby than a profession. But I knew I wanted to go to acting school. I ended up going to London to study at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. After finishing my studies, I went back to Peru and worked there for about ten years in theater and television. I did about 15 plays and several television shows. Eventually, my husband and I decided to try our luck in the international market, so we moved to Madrid and then to Los Angeles.

<strong>Gari:</strong> Wow, what a journey! And now you’re playing one of the most iconic roles in history. How did you get the role of Mary in The Chosen?

<strong>Vanessa:</strong> It was a traditional audition process. I received the sides for a project called “The Chosen.” I didn’t know much about it at the time, as only the pilot episode was out. I auditioned for the role of Mary, and I remember feeling a deep connection to the material. Dallas Jenkins, the creator and director, later told me that he was looking for someone who could capture Mary’s strength and vulnerability. I’m so grateful to have been chosen for this role.

<strong>Gari:</strong> It’s amazing how God works. So, playing Mary, the mother of Jesus, must be a profound experience. How has playing this role influenced your own faith?

<strong>Vanessa:</strong> It has been transformative. Playing Mary has forced me to look at the stories I’ve known my whole life from a different perspective—not as a historical or religious figure, but as a real person. Mary was a mother who loved her son deeply and had to navigate the unimaginable challenge of watching him fulfill a divine and difficult purpose. Her faith and her surrender have taught me so much. I’ve found myself leaning into prayer more and reflecting on what it truly means to trust God, even when things don’t make sense.

<strong>Gari:</strong> That’s beautiful. One thing fans love about The Chosen is how it humanizes the characters from the Bible. In your portrayal of Mary, what’s something you wanted to make sure came across to the audience?

<strong>Vanessa:</strong> I wanted people to see her humanity. Mary wasn’t just a figure in a painting; she was a woman who laughed, who worried about her son, and who shared deep, intimate moments with him. I wanted to show that her strength came from her love and her faith. There’s a scene where she’s just sitting and talking with Jesus, and it’s those moments of connection that make her relatable. She’s a mother first and foremost, and that maternal love is universal.

<strong>Gari:</strong> Absolutely, and you do such a wonderful job bringing that to life. Vanessa, this is just the beginning of our conversation. We’re going to stop here for today, but we’ll be back next week with part two of our interview, where we’ll talk more about the impact of The Chosen and what’s next for you.

<strong>Vanessa:</strong> I can’t wait. Thank you so much for having me!

<strong>Gari:</strong> Thank you, Vanessa! And to everyone listening, make sure to tune in next week for the conclusion of my talk with Vanessa Benavente.