Acting as Mary, Jesus’ mother, on “The Chosen” has prompted actress Vanessa Benavente to think about motherhood and the mothers in her life. As a mother herself, she said the show couldn’t have come at a better time for her to reflect on this subject.
Before coming to “The Chosen,” Benavente acted in a number of short films. Now she’s a regular on “The Chosen,” having appeared in 26 episodes. She also had a role in “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” which was directed by “The Chosen” creator Dallas Jenkins.
There are moments in the show about the life of Jesus that illustrate the real experience of motherhood, the actor says. Benavente spoke about an episode where she cares for Jesus as everyone surrounding him argues. It emphasized an emotional moment because it showed how Mary’s entire life and ministry was taking care of Jesus. And at the same time, he was getting older.
This scene resonated with parents, said Benavente. “So many moms and dads writing messages to me on social media saying we just dropped our child off in college and ... that’s what it brought to them.”
The show is expected to get only more emotional for Benavente’s character. Season 5 will portray Holy Week — the time leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. In Season 4, Benavente said her character is grappling with what is to come.
Benavente said she can’t talk enough about the strength of her character.
When people talk about Mary, Benavente said, she believes people think of very vulnerable moments like the Nativity scene or the crucifixion. In order for her to live through those moments, Benavente said Mary had to be a strong and determined woman. It’s this side of Mary she wants to reflect.
The reaction from fans to her character has been amazing, said Benavente. She said sometimes people have said they think her character should be prettier, but the vast majority of fans have been supportive of her.
She appreciates that the writers made her character into a person who has a sense of humor and a lightness to her.
Benavente referenced a book that included some details about Mary, and said she wasn’t sure exactly how much Mary would have known about what’s going to happen to Jesus. She said it would be hard to live through that period, fearing bad things would happen and yet not exactly knowing what would unfold.
“She knows he has to fulfill his mission,” said Benavente, adding that she understands the worry and concern that a mother would have about her son.
Benavente feels very humbled by seeing how women in general relate to her character.
“I feel like it’s a testament to the humanity that we’ve brought to these characters, that people have seen themselves (in the portrayals) and not just as figures that they wish they could emulate and they wish they could be like,” said Benavente.