Day Trader to Breakout Role as Apostle
Photo Credit: Ryan West Paras
Actor Paras Patel’s portrayal of Matthew the Apostle in The Chosen series has received wide praise and earned him a role as ambassador for people with neurodivergent traits. The historical drama, now in its fifth season on various streaming channels, follows the story of Jesus through the eyes of his disciples, and has been renewed for two more seasons. Before landing his role in The Chosen, Patel, who had studied finance in college, did day trading to support himself as he worked his way up in the entertainment world with minor acting gigs in Atlanta and Los Angeles.
It seems like your family had a sense for your interest in being in the arts, but did you have to navigate any tricky career conversations with them, or was it pretty seamless?
We’re brown... of course, we’re going to have the tricky conversations! At the time, I didn't know what I was doing, but I knew I wanted to try this. It felt like there wasn't much support, but that changed drastically. In Atlanta, my parents were seeing me wake up from like 2 AM to 4 AM to go to these sets to make the call times, and I think that's where they were, like, ‘Wow, he's dedicated.’ And since then it's been unwavering support. Being on The Chosen and getting the opportunity to premiere the show in India and bringing them with me is my way of giving back for all their support and hard work.
There had to have been some moments where you felt like, ‘This is not going to happen.’ How did you pull yourself out from those moments?
My first audition, I happened to book a movie, a month-long shoot, and I thought that was the norm... I did not work again for another year. It is in those moments that you learn about yourself, your strengths and weaknesses, and use them to propel yourself forward. You're in an area where people tell you how you should present yourself or how you should be without even knowing you—and that's kind of what the industry is. They're casting based on what they're looking for . . . There were a few times where I was calling my parents saying, ‘I don't think I want to do this, this is not good for my mental space,’ and my dad always told me, ‘No, you're on the right track. It takes time, keep going.’ Before I got The Chosen and before The Chosen became the global phenomenon that it is, I was getting the one- or two-day roles, working my way up. I was pretty much struggling until this show took off.
Critics could have gone either way with your portrayal of Matthew given he wasn’t historically known to be on the spectrum. What kind of research and preparation did you do to embody those nuances?
The Chosen showrunners themselves will say portraying Matthew on the spectrum was one of the best decisions that they've made. It was important for our showrunner, creator Dallas Jenkins, to incorporate that, and he didn't just stick a trait on a disciple to say that there was diversity, but it was more that he felt that it was plausible with Matthew's story and his book. It's a very detailed book. Matthew's a former tax collector, which is funny for me coming from an actual finance background. [Jenkins] felt like it was plausible, being on the spectrum himself.
With preparation, I actually auditioned for a [a medical show] pilot before this, where the doctor was on the spectrum. So I remember watching those Netflix shows like Love on the Spectrum or just doing some research—kind of watching videos to get into the body and voice of someone who processes differently than us. That's what was so important for me—to really get into the mindset of someone that is neurodivergent and how they would see the world. A big part of it was also discussions with the director—just observing him in a way and knowing that certain stimulations can achieve a different response. It was amazing to be given this role and portray Matthew in that way, and be an ambassador to the neurodivergent community.
How has playing Matthew changed you?
It's a role that's teaching me how to be better. Sometimes we're quick to dismiss someone just because you think you have nothing in common, but you never know. In the show, you see Matthew rejected from society, spit on, but he's this brilliant mind who just needs someone to take a chance on him. The only thing he felt like he could do was work in finance because he was smart. He felt like he might as well make use of himself, but it wasn't fulfilling. Then, with Jesus telling him to follow him, that's when (Matthew) was activated, and he really found himself. His journey is something I think anybody can relate to. I always encourage people to be a Matthew, which is, always be the best version of yourself, because that's how I think he lives his life on the show. It's definitely something I'm subscribing to.
How do you feel your Indian American heritage has shaped your journey as an actor or even informed the roles you play or how you choose to play them?
I feel representation is so important. I still am hungry to play a South Asian character or just tell a South Asian story. We have so many beautiful stories. Even the journey of the great immigration when a lot of Indians came to America in the ’70s, ’80s... I'm always wanting to portray my community. We deserve to have a space. We're strong enough to hold our own space.
With respect to The Chosen, I think they didn't expect—but were pleasantly surprised with—how well it was doing in India. A lot of it had to do with them recognizing a South Asian face on there and feeling like they can relate.
With two more seasons of The Chosen left, have you given thought as to what's next for you or the types of roles that you want to be playing?
I do have ambitions to possibly write a book about all of this experience. But that's way down the line. Ideally, I’d love to be in the Marvel-DC Universe. Playing a South Asian superhero would be really cool for me. I also love supernatural stuff, so I know there's a reboot of Grimm going on right now, and I used to love that show. Beyond any role, first and foremost, what I look for in a project is the writing and the script, and if it's compelling enough. If I feel like I can do justice to it, I'm going to throw my name, my hat, in the ring.
Amritha Alladi Joseph, who takes over as the host of Talk Time, is a frequent contributor to Khabar. A former reporter for Gannett newspapers, The Hindu, Gainesville magazine, The Gainesville Sun, and CNNIBN, she’s now a customer success strategist at Salesforce. She lives with her family in Sandy Springs, GA.
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