Is new Netflix show The Chosen One based on a book?

Chris Tilly
The Chosen One poster.

The Chosen One is a new Netflix series about the seeming return of Jesus Christ – so is this religious drama based on a book?

The Chosen One is a six-episode series heading to Netflix this Wednesday, August 16, 2023. The official synopsis is as follows:

“Imagine for a moment… You’re 12-years-old and one day you discover that you possess the same powers as Jesus Christ. Meet Jodie, a kid who finds himself in awe as he starts to develop incredible and divine abilities.

“The events and revelations that follow lead the young prodigy and his crew of friends to embark on a supernatural coming of age journey through the Baja region that could change their reality and everything the world believes. Will he rise to answer the divine call?”

Is The Chosen One based on a book?

Yes, The Chosen One is based on a book – a comic book series called American Jesus, which was then turned into a series of graphic novels.

Created by writer Mark Millar (Wanted, Kick-Ass, Kingsman) and artist Peter Gross, the comic was first published by Dark Horse in 2004. While the archive can now be found at Image Comics here.

The American Jesus comic.

Here’s the official synopsis for the book, which suggests that the show will follow much the same storyline: “After surviving a freak accident, a 12-year-old boy discovers he’s the returned Jesus Christ. He can turn water into wine, make the crippled walk… he can even raise the dead. How will he deal with his destiny and lead the world through a conflict that’s been thousands of years in the making?”

The Chosen One cast: Who’s in it?

Here’s the cast for American Jesus adaptation The Chosen One, featuring actors, and the character they play (where that information is available):

  • Bobby Luhnow as Jodie
  • Dianna Agron as Sarah
  • Lilith Amelie Siordia Mejia as Magda
  • Juan Fernando González Anguamea as Tuka
  • Jorge Javier Arballo Osornio as Hipólito
  • Alberto Pérez-Jácome Kenna as Wagner

Other cast members include:

  • Tenoch Huerta
  • Patricio Serna Meza
  • Carlos Bardem
  • Alfonso Dosal
  • Eileen Yáñez
  • Sofia Sisniega

The Chosen One is streaming on Netflix from August 16, 2023. While for previews of more Netflix movies and shows, check out the below links:

The Night Agent Season 2 | The Gentlemen | Will there be Firefly Lane Season 3? | Sex Education Season 4 | Beef Season 2 | Monster Season 2 | Will there be Ginny and Georgia Season 3? | Black Mirror Season 7 | All the Light We Cannot See | Stranger Things Season 5 | Chicken Run 2 | Florida Man Season 2 | Obsession Season 2 | The Sandman Season 2 | The Lincoln Lawyer Season 3

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About The Author

Chris Tilly is the TV and Movies Editor at Dexerto. He has a BA in English Literature, an MA in Newspaper Journalism, and over the last 20 years, he's worked for the likes of Time Out, IGN, and Fandom. Chris loves Star Wars, Marvel, DC, sci-fi, and especially horror, while he knows maybe too much about Alan Partridge. You can email him here: chris.tilly@dexerto.com.