‘The Chosen’ Actress Lara Silva Says the Series Strengthened Her Faith
The Chosen has helped impact the faith of countless people globally -- including that of an original cast member who's been with the show from the start. Lara Silva appeared in the very first episode of Season 1 and has remained with the series ever since, portraying Eden -- the spirited wife of Simon Peter who shares in her husband's devotion to Jesus. Season 5 is now streaming on Prime Video. Eden's faith has grown throughout the five seasons, and — off-screen — Silva says hers has, too.
"I've grown tremendously in my faith," Silva told Crosswalk Headlines, referencing her time on the series. "I feel like I've been able to be bolder about it."
Silva says she has "stopped caring" about "what people might think" about her faith — a shift she describes as "really liberating." Earlier this year, she partnered with the Christian app Glorify for a series of special Easter-themed devotionals and prayers.
"It feels good to be able to share my personal experiences and know that this is real -- that God is real. Yeah, it's shaped everything," she added.
Silva says she sensed from the beginning that The Chosen was special, even if it was a small project trying to get off the ground. She originally auditioned for Mary Magdalene, but The Chosen director Dallas Jenkins asked her instead to read for Eden, she said. Back then, The Chosen was a crowdfunded series needing both funding and fans.
"I remember reading it thinking, 'Wow, this is incredible. I've never seen anything like this. We don't know what's going to come of it, but this is really good stuff.'"
The character of Eden better matched her own personality, Silva said.
"I felt like it clicked more as well spiritually for me -- and just being able really to dive into …what it must have been like for her, and use my own experiences as well," she said. "I remember having a conversation with God saying and thinking, like, 'Wow, this is an incredible opportunity.'"
The first four episodes of Season 1 were filmed before funding was secured for the final four episodes. Silva remembers wondering if they would ever be able to finish the season.
"I mean, God does only what He can do with his incredible math. And we were able to. Here we are, Season 6."
Season 6 will depict the crucifixion — a storyline that Silva says will be emotionally intense.
"It's going to be hard," she said of filming scenes surrounding Jesus' death.
"I'm gonna go through with it as best as I can. And we're just going to continue on telling the story."
WATCH: Mary Consoles Eden in Season 3, Episode Eight
Photo Credit: ©5&2 Studios
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.
Originally published June 25, 2025.
