BYU Communications Research Reveals How a Hit Series Shapes Faith and Identity
When BYU journalism professor Kris Boyle decided to research the popular Christian TV series “The Chosen,” he didn’t expect to uncover a window into the soul of his viewers. “This is more than entertainment,” he said. “It’s something that’s a part of people’s faith journey.”
Boyle recently sat down to discuss the findings of his latest study, which used Q methodology to analyze how and why viewers engage with the show. A blend of qualitative and quantitative research, Q methodology asks participants to sort a series of opinion-based statements, such as “The Chosen strengthens my faith” or “The Chosen is an inaccurate depiction of Jesus,” along a scale from “least like me” to “most like me.”
Participants then explain their top and bottom choices, offering insight into their personal beliefs. After inputting the results into a statistical program, Boyle and his co-researchers identified three distinct types of viewers: the “Saints,” who use the show to strengthen their faith; the “Evangelists,” who see it as a tool for missionary work; and the “Prodigal Sons,” who credit the show with helping them return to God.
“I’m probably more of a Saint,” Boyle reflected. “I like that human feel. It makes the stories feel real and easier to connect with.”
For the study, participants (54 adults who were regular viewers of the show) sorted 38 carefully worded statements. Boyle emphasized that creating clear, balanced statements was a critical step. “If your statements aren’t understandable, your data’s no good,” he said. The team reviewed and revised the list multiple times to ensure clarity and depth.
The research was inspired by the show’s rapid rise in popularity and Boyle’s ongoing interest in media engagement. “I’ve done work in the past on why people use things like Facebook, blogs and sports forums,” he said. “And so it was a natural fit to look at what people are getting from ‘The Chosen’.”
One surprising finding was just how personal the viewing experience became. “Some participants told us ‘The Chosen’ reminded them they weren’t lost, that God still knew who they were,” Boyle said. “That kind of emotional connection? That’s powerful.”
He and his team were especially interested in how viewers related to the portrayal of Christ. “We start to realize that there are people who watch ‘The Chosen’ because they feel like they get to know who Christ is … they can relate to him.”
The Saints gravitated toward statements emphasizing Christ’s humanity — his laughter, his empathy, his ordinariness. One participant said, “It just makes Him feel real. Seeing Him joke with the disciples, crying with people, playing with kids … it brings the Bible to life.”
Meanwhile, Evangelists saw the show as a bridge to conversation. Their rankings suggested a strong interest in using “The Chosen” to share their faith. “These viewers are the ones sending clips to friends or teaching people about Jesus,” Boyle said.
The Prodigal Sons were drawn to statements about redemption. They resonated with the show’s portrayals of lost characters finding their way back, saying it helped them feel seen and understood. Boyle explained, “We called them Prodigals because that’s how they described themselves.”
The biggest challenge? Finding participants who were deeply familiar with the show. “You can’t analyze people who’ve only seen one or two episodes,” Boyle said. “They just don’t have enough context.” Another challenge was making sure the statements were decisive enough for participants to engage meaningfully with them. “You need strong reactions to get meaningful groupings,” he added.
But for Boyle, the payoff was worth it. “This study shows how much media can impact us, often in ways we don’t fully recognize,” he said. “If we stop to think about how the show is shaping our faith, we might be surprised by the answer.”
As new seasons of “The Chosen” continue to be released, Boyle hopes the research will help people reflect on their media habits with more awareness. “Even entertainment can have spiritual consequences,” he said. “And that’s not necessarily a bad thing, it just means we should be intentional.”
So, what kind of “Chosen” viewer are you?
