From ‘Superhero Conditioning’ to the ‘Most Humble Version of a Person’—‘The Chosen’ Star Gives a Glimpse Into Simon the Zealot

Each actor in “The Chosen” feels that the groundbreaking project is more than playing a role. The content and drama have become more personal than any other role.

Actor Alaa Safi has played the role of Simon the Zealot (or Simon Z) and recently said he relies heavily on his own transitions in life to help connect with the transformation Simon Z experiences after meeting Jesus.

“He goes from superhero conditioning to the most humble version of a person,” said Safi. “And that’s real growth.”

Alaa Safi Shares How His Character in ‘The Chosen’ Embraces ‘Powerlessness—Which Doesn’t Mean Weakness’

Over the first five seasons of “The Chosen,” actors have become “deeply invested in their characters’ journey.” The series produces “In My Words,” where those portraying key roles articulate their personal journeys and how they connect with their characters.

French actor and director Alaa Safi has portrayed one of Jesus’ disciples, Simon the Zealot, since the second season of “The Chosen.” Years of Tae Kwon Do training prepared Safi well for the role of the warrior-turned-disciple.

Safi described Simon the Zealot as “probably the most mysterious and cool disciple of all.”

While Scripture is unclear as to whether Simon the Zealot was an actual member of the radical Zealot party or if the term “zealot” merely described his religious eagerness, creator and director Dallas Jenkins chose the former to develop Simon Z’s character in “The Chosen.”

In Bible times, Zealots directly opposed Roman rule and taxes. Many scholars argue that Jesus selected disciples who were rivals—Simon the Zealot and Matthew the tax collector—to communicate that he offered new life to everyone.

Safi shared that he was “drawn to troubled characters.” Simon Z was “the warrior, the samurai of the group” who seemed to be “seeking a sense of purpose out of the pain.”

“He’s the guy who needs to learn how to go non-violent about everything in his life,” said Safi. Simon began “bracing, preparing, building himself, strengthening himself, and it’s all based on a fearful approach to the world and life.”

As a trained Zealot, Simon naturally handles situations with violence, but then he meets Jesus—the Messiah. Safi described how Jesus “strips me away from my past life, from the dagger, symbolizing everything I believed so hard so far.”