A hit independent TV series that dramatizes the ministry of Jesus, The Chosen has found an unexpected partner for its streaming and theatrical releases in the U.S. as it enters its final seasons.

Writer-director Dallas Jenkins announced this past weekend that 5&2 Studios, which produces The Chosen, has inked a multi-year deal with Prime Video, part of the world’s largest retailer, Amazon. In the U.S., Prime Video will be the exclusive third-party streaming home of The Chosen moving forward. 

“I want to let you know after exploring multiple options and taking a long time to explore every option and to think through this and pray through this, we’ve decided on Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios as the exclusive third-party home of our current show,” said Jenkins on a livestreamed video.

While The Chosen has previously streamed on Amazon’s platform, season five (and future seasons) will stream exclusively on Prime Video for 90 days following the season’s theatrical run. Episodes will continue to remain freely available on The Chosen app, and new seasons will roll out on the app following Prime Video’s exclusive window.

In a press release, Amazon MGM Studios Head of Television Vernon Sanders said, “The Chosen has had renowned success captivating audiences across generations . . . As we look ahead, we see massive opportunities to develop additional faith-inspired content for our global Prime Video customers.” 

On the livestreamed announcement, show creator Jenkins introduced Prime Video Senior Creative Executive Traci Blackwell, who called herself “a huge, massive fan of the show,” she told fans.

“When I came to Amazon . . . they brought me in to specifically do this,” said Blackwell. “I did not have to convince Amazon to do this. They wanted to do this programming. They knew that this audience was vastly underserved and that they wanted to obsess over these customers.” 

As part of the multi-year agreement, Prime Video will also have a first-look option for forthcoming TV series in development at 5&2 Studios. In September, Jenkins announced a half-dozen shows are in-development. 

The streamer has already announced that an unscripted reality series, The Chosen In The Wild with Bear Grylls, will release soon. Well-known adventurer Grylls takes Jenkins and various cast members into the wilderness, unearthing what drives the hit show as they tackle extreme challenges. 

“For several years, the team at Amazon MGM Studios has proved over and over they’re passionate about this show and our fans,” said Jenkins. “Prime Video is pouring gasoline on the fire, accelerating your efforts . . . They’re going to make us better and get the show to more people.”

Jenkins assured fans that the mega-studio will not influence how biblical stories are adapted. 

“We said, ‘Total creative control is a non-negotiable,’” said Jenkins. “There cannot be any influence from any outside sources, and that ultimately falls on me.” 

Season five of The Chosen will initially release in theaters starting in late March, which Jenkins stated is important for 5&2 Studios to recoup costs on the multi-million dollar production.  

Additionally, donations to Come and See Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, will continue to fund global translations of The Chosen and other distribution initiatives.

Talks are underway with Prime Video about a dramatic limited series on the life of Joseph, which may premiere prior to The Chosen‘s seventh and final season, said Jenkins. 

Jenkins also served as a consultant on House of David, a big-budget TV adaptation of the life of David from writer-directors Jon Erwin and Jon Gunn, set to premiere on Prime Video on February 27.

The Chosen will stream exclusively on Prime Video in the U.S. starting in June, with season five expected to be available worldwide via the official app starting in September. 

Josh Shepherd contributed to this article, which was originally published at CHVN Radio. 

Sylvia St. Cyr is an on-air radio host at CHVN, a Christian outlet in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.