As season five of the hit television series The Chosen launches, Noah James said audiences are in for a surreal experience as the story approaches Holy Week.

James portrays Andrew in the show, the first television show to follow the life of Jesus as told by the Gospels. Its first episode aired at Cineplex Cinemas in Oakville, Ont., on March 6.

The new season, James said, is focused solely on the few days of Holy Week

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“This upcoming season is a challenging journey for not just Andrew, but for many, if not all of the disciples. This whole season revolves around Holy Week and so before we spanned months during each season, this season encapsulates only a few days. You really feel like you are in a pressure cooker now and can sense that everyone involved is going through it,” he said.

The groundbreaking historical drama, which has also become the largest crowdfunded media project of all time, has seen immense support in North America. The support being seen throughout the Greater Toronto Area ahead of this latest season's release is something that has caught the attention of James.

“It is honestly amazing to know the scope of the reach of the show because at the end of the day, we are all trying to tell this story the best way we possibly can,” he said. “Any time you see a celebration of the show, really what that means is that more people are seeing it, there are more eyes on it, more people are connecting to the show and the story.”

Speaking to the upcoming series, which is set for a full theatrical release on March 28 before eventually heading to streaming platforms, James notes that viewers will be thrust into the highs of the triumphal entry into Jerusalem in episode one before the reality of Holy Week sets in.

Filming these scenes, James was unprepared for their emotional weight. He anticipates it will be the same for viewers.

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“ We probably filmed close to 30 seconds of an episode over an entire day and sometimes I'll look over to the creator Dallas Jenkins and just shake my head in awe. It’s not so much excitement but being humbled. I was truly caught off guard by the outpouring of love that was sent our way while filming, and I hope the audience who's gone on this journey with us for all these years can tap into that and feel that along with us,” he said.

Also being teased during the recent Toronto takeover is a new reality series featuring James and other Chosen cast members called The Chosen In The Wild with Bear Grylls. As the name suggests, The Chosen cast members will be put through different physical and emotional challenges in the wilderness alongside legendary TV host Bear Grylls.

While a unique and unexpected crossover, James says he jumped at the opportunity before plans for the show were even finalized.

“It’s been a dream of mine. I remember watching Bear Grylls as a kid, and I remember him getting stung by a bee and barely being able to talk. I would do an impression of that to my parents and now suddenly, I’m in a precarious position and beside me is Bear Grylls trying to hype me up in the exact same precarious position,” he said.

Apart from the obvious adventure-packed appeal the show promises, James credited Grylls' ability to care for and connect with the team during the collaboration. He hopes the reality show can shed light on each actor's emotional journey with these characters and the story as The Chosen releases its new season.

As writer and producer Ryan Swanson promised that season five would bring Jesus to the gates of His next chapter, James echoed that pivotal shift, expressing his hopes that The Chosen’s fans join him for the ride ahead both as a disciple and in the wild.

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“We’ve been working on the show now for years and it all has led to these few days of Holy Week in season five. We know where it’s going after this, but I don’t know if fans are ready to approach that destination of the journey,” he said. “We cannot wait for it to get out in the world because we want everyone to catch up to where we are in our emotional journey with these characters and this great story.”

Season five premieres on big screens across Canada and the United States on March 28. There is currently no set release date for The Chosen In The Wild with Bear Grylls.