Why This CHOSEN Star Calls His Role "A Real Blessing"
Shaan Sharma, known for his role as Shmuel in The Chosen, describes the experience as “a real blessing,” even though acting wasn’t part of his original career plan.
“Before I pursued acting in Los Angeles, I was in Minneapolis-St. Paul and worked as a singer-songwriter in the Twin Cities for about 10 years. Then I moved to LA,”
he shared in a video on the show's official YouTube channel. Initially, Sharma performed in Minnesota to support his music, but once in Los Angeles, acting became his main focus.
Today, he portrays Shmuel, one of the Pharisees — a character he finds distinct and relatable.
“We all have moments when we’re convinced we’re right, only to be blind to the truth right in front of us,”
he explained, calling Shmuel a kind of cautionary tale about balancing faith, conviction, and open-mindedness.
“He’s a reminder not to abandon what you were raised to believe without good reason, but also to stay open to new truths,”
Sharma added.
Beyond acting, Sharma founded the podcast Table Read, offering opportunities for emerging screenwriters to have their scripts read aloud and discussed.
“For me, acting is about experiencing the wonderful variety of life... it’s a real blessing,”
he said, reflecting on his artistic journey.
Author’s Summary
Actor Shaan Sharma views his unexpected journey from musician to portraying Shmuel in The Chosen as a humbling and transformative blessing.