Why Paras Patel’s Portrayal of Matthew Is Resonating Across Cultures and Communities
On a breezy spring afternoon, I had the pleasure of speaking with Paras Patel, who plays the disciple Matthew on The Chosen: the Amazon Prime global hit that's racked up nearly 800 million views
By Kirby CarrollMay 20 2025, Published 3:34 p.m. ET
Despite his success, Paras approached our conversation with a grounded energy and honest reflections that felt as familiar as talking to an old friend. During our chat, he walked us through his unconventional entry into the industry, what it's like to portray such a layered character, and how the role has changed him in return. Check out our exclusive conversation for BLEU Magazine below.
BLEU: Let’s start at the beginning. Tell me a little bit about yourself and how you got into acting.
PARAS: My name is Paras Patel. I’m from the Southeast—grew up in Florida and eventually made my way to L.A. by way of Atlanta. As a kid, I was always drawn to the stage. Growing up in an Indian household, we celebrated through cultural festivals and performances, so community arts became my outlet. I’m actually incredibly shy, but deep down, I always knew I wanted to act. But I studied finance and real estate in college. After getting my degree, I decided to fully commit to acting. It happened a little later than I expected, but I think that makes my story even more relatable. I struggled for five years, but eventually, I found my way to The Chosen.
BLEU: I totally get that. I started as a theater major, too, but switched to communications because it felt “safer.” But finance? That’s a whole other level. What was it like to walk away from that kind of path?
PARAS: I think a lot of us can relate to choosing stability. As a child of immigrants, I really felt the pressure to pursue a practical career. My parents didn’t understand the entertainment industry, and I didn’t have any mentors in it. But I eventually asked them to trust me. Around that time, I couldn’t land a job in finance, and Georgia's tax incentives were bringing more productions to Atlanta. So, I saw an ad for background work on The Vampire Diaries and went for it. I’d be on set at 2 a.m., and that’s when my parents really saw how serious I was. I worked background gigs to pay for training and got an agent through class. After that, I thought I’d start booking, but I didn’t work for an entire year. Still, I’m glad I studied finance—it gave me structure. But I’m even happier I bet on myself.
BLEU: Let’s get into The Chosen. How do you personally connect with Matthew?
PARAS: When I first auditioned, I didn’t think we were that similar, so I focused on research. But as I spent more time with the character, I started getting gut instincts—I realized we’re actually alike in a lot of ways. We both have this childlike curiosity and a hunger to learn. Playing him taught me a lot about how we treat people. We think we’re being respectful, but sometimes we’re actually judging. I’ve learned to really hear people out, whether I agree or not.
Matthew is very driven and particular—I used to do Sudoku in my hotel room to get in his mindset. And more deeply, I relate to his feelings of not knowing your own worth. I’ve felt like an outsider many times in my life.
BLEU: Is there a performer who inspires you? Tell me someone you look to as a role model for the type of career you’re building.
PARAS: There are so many. But over time, I’ve realized it’s the story itself that fuels me—especially stories from marginalized communities. That’s what I’m drawn to. And look at me, someone relatively unknown, playing a role that's now recognized worldwide. It proves that it doesn’t matter who you are; the right person will shine through.
Actors like Riz Ahmed really inspire me. I just really admire the hustle. We’ve all had low moments, and seeing someone break through makes it all worth it. But you have to stay humble.
BLEU: You mentioned hustle. What’s your wellness practice? How do you unwind from the grind?
PARAS: That’s something I’ve really been working on. Last year, I experienced burnout, and it taught me how important it is to fill up my own cup. I grew up near the water, so I love being by the ocean or even just listening to rain sounds while I sleep. Being outdoors recharges me—hiking, sunshine, gym workouts. It’s all good for keeping stress levels down. But more than anything, I value time with loved ones. The busier you get, the more you realize how precious time is. Visiting my family in Florida helps me unplug—my childhood room still looks the same! It helps me reconnect with who I was before all this.
BLEU: Something I find fascinating about The Chosen is that it’s a faith-based show, but it plays like a character-driven drama. We usually only see shows like this around the holidays. Why do you think this one resonates so widely?
PARAS: The secret sauce is that it humanizes Jesus, His disciples, and everyone around them. We talk about real things—grief, miscarriages, rejection—and that’s rare in faith-based shows. It shows that people in the first century dealt with the same emotions we do now. That makes it relatable and helps audiences connect on a deeper level.
BLEU: I love that. Can you talk about what it means to represent the neurodivergent community through your role as Matthew?
PARAS: It’s rare to get a lead role as a South Asian actor, period. But to play a character that’s made me more confident and also helped others feel seen? That’s a gift I never saw coming. The global response has been overwhelming. I’ve heard from fans who say it’s helped them grow in faith and find purpose. I just try to be an advocate—to communicate love, acceptance, and visibility for the neurodivergent community.
BLEU: And The Chosen was crowdfunded! That says so much about the audience’s dedication. Have you had any fan moments that really stuck with you?
PARAS: So many. But one that stands out came early on. A father told me that as soon as Matthew appeared on screen, his daughter said, “Oh, I like him—he’s like me.” As the show went on, the family realized Matthew was neurodivergent, and it led them to start asking questions about how to better support their daughter. He told me it improved their communication and understanding. He was in tears sharing that with me. That kind of connection makes it all worth it.
BLEU: Season five touches on the idea of faith being tested. Have you had a moment in your journey where your own faith was challenged?
PARAS: Definitely. I relate to The Chosen because you don’t need a specific background to feel connected to the story. In season two, Matthew struggles to be accepted by the other disciples; he feels like an outsider. That mirrored some of what I was going through personally. But by the end of the season, Jesus pulls him aside and shares the Beatitudes. That moment reminded me that even when you feel like you don’t belong, there’s still a purpose for your journey.
BLEU: For someone who has never seen The Chosen, what advice would you give them?
PARAS: This show isn’t just for one type of person; it’s for everyone. Whether you're looking to deepen your spiritual journey or just want something uplifting to watch, there's a place for you here. You might be surprised by who you connect with in the show. In fact, about 30% of our audience doesn’t come from a religious background at all. They watch simply because the show gives them hope—it’s good, meaningful content.
The Chosen went viral during the pandemic, and I don’t think that was by accident. It resonated with people when they needed it most. So I’d just encourage anyone watching to be open to whatever it stirs up in you.
BLEU: Finally, I’ll close with this: what advice would you give to aspiring actors or creatives?
PARAS: I think the biggest takeaway that I've learned right now is to enjoy the process. I think sometimes we're looking for immediate results and the now. I always follow the mantra: what is for you will not pass you. But I also know that you have to work hard in order to play hard. So put in the work, put in the efforts, do what you can, you know, and in the acting space, train, collaborate with others, and create your own stuff.
Also, I think a lot of actors struggle with the financing of it all. I think just having a good, solid plan where it's, you know, you know, trading (like I did) or having a side job or something like that, to keep you afloat, but not necessarily distract you from what your main goal is, is key to finding that balance. Because I know a lot of people get lost with their side jobs but forget to do things like training and things that are important to have a successful career. But most importantly, just don't give up.
A lot of people in their 40s, 50s, 60s, really breakthrough. And that's what should inspire you. That should be like what can happen to me. Like I said, I was getting consistent work, but like, small roles for the first few years of my career. I auditioned for Vampire Diaries 11 times. And you know, I think I would say it took about six years into acting altogether because I started in Atlanta. You never know what can change your life. The Chosen started as a web series, and now it's on Amazon Prime and in theaters. Just put your heart and soul into it, and it'll pay off.
