If you’ve spent any time watching The Chosen, you know that the show doesn't just treat biblical figures like stiff statues in a cathedral. They feel real. Gritty. Sometimes even a little messy. But nobody embodies that human struggle quite like Mary Magdalene. She’s the emotional heartbeat of the early seasons, and honestly, the show wouldn't be what it is without her.
So, who is the actress behind the character?
Her name is Elizabeth Tabish. And if you didn't know her name before 2019, you certainly do now. Tabish hasn't just played Mary; she’s basically redefined how a modern audience sees one of the most misunderstood women in history. It wasn't just a lucky casting call, either. The story of how she got the role is almost as dramatic as the show itself.
The Woman Behind the Miracle: Elizabeth Tabish
Elizabeth Tabish (or "Liz" to her friends and fans) is an American actress and filmmaker who, quite frankly, was about to quit acting altogether before this show came along. Imagine that. She was living in Texas, feeling pretty burnt out by the industry, and dealing with her own period of depression.
She's talked openly about this in interviews. Basically, she told her agent she was done. She wanted to focus on directing or maybe just find a different path because the commercial auditions and the constant "no's" were wearing her down. Then, the script for The Chosen landed on her desk.
A Career-Saving Audition
When she read the character of "Lilith"—the name Mary goes by in the pilot before her healing—something clicked. It wasn't just another gig. Tabish has mentioned that she felt an "intense connection" to the character's brokenness. She decided to give it one last shot.
Thankfully, creator Dallas Jenkins saw exactly what he was looking for: someone who could portray deep, haunting trauma but also incredible, wide-eyed grace.
Why Her Portrayal of Mary Magdalene Matters So Much
For centuries, Mary Magdalene has been saddled with all sorts of labels that aren't actually in the Bible. You’ve heard them. The "prostitute" label is the big one, even though the text never actually says that. The Chosen takes a different route, focusing on her mental health, her "demons" (both literal and metaphorical), and her trauma.
Elizabeth Tabish plays this with a level of nuance that's pretty rare for faith-based media.
In Season 1, we see her at the end of her rope. She’s suicidal, she’s lost, and she’s being tormented. When Jonathan Roumie’s Jesus calls her by her name—"Mary"—and she finally looks up, it’s one of the most viral moments in the show’s history. Tabish sells that transition from "broken Lilith" to "restored Mary" without it feeling cheesy or over-the-top.
Not Just a Supporting Character
In a lot of Jesus movies, the women are just... there. They stand in the background and look pious. But Elizabeth Tabish's Mary is a core part of the group's logistics. She helps manage the "ragtag" bunch of disciples. She has a unique relationship with Jesus' mother, Mary (played by Vanessa Benavente), which feels like a genuine mother-daughter bond.
She also has these great, human moments of friction. Remember when she struggled in Season 2 and briefly "backslid"? That was a controversial choice for the writers, but Tabish played it with so much vulnerability that it made the character even more relatable. It showed that healing isn't always a straight line.
Elizabeth Tabish’s Life Beyond the Screen
Beyond being the face of Mary Magdalene, Liz Tabish is a filmmaker in her own right. She’s a co-founder of the Arthouse Film Festival and has a huge passion for female-centric stories and the "female gaze" in cinema.
She’s also a bit of a "hardcore leftist" (her words in a Vanity Fair piece), which might surprise some of the more conservative viewers of the show. She brings this complex, multi-layered worldview to the set, and it probably helps why her Mary feels so modern and grounded.
Fun Facts and Quick Details
- Education: She has a Bachelor of Arts in Film Studies and a Master of Arts in Theater from Oklahoma State University.
- Heritage: She’s of Armenian, Italian, and Lebanese descent.
- Other Roles: You might have spotted her in the sci-fi film The Shift (2023) or the holiday movie The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (2024).
How She Changed the Character (And the Character Changed Her)
It’s interesting to hear her talk about her own faith. Tabish grew up Catholic but went through a long period of being quite cynical about religion. She’s admitted that playing Mary Magdalene actually helped her reconnect with the core teachings of Jesus—the parts about love, inclusion, and social revolution—rather than the "judgy" parts of organized religion that turned her off as a kid.
By Season 5 and 6, the role has shifted. Mary is no longer the "broken girl." She’s a leader. She’s the one who stays when others flee. Tabish has mentioned that she loves how Mary's journey moves from self-focus and survival to a "deep, deep love for Jesus" and his mission.
What You Should Watch Next
If you're a fan of her performance, you don't have to wait for the next season of The Chosen to see her work.
First, go back and watch the Season 2 episode "I Am 47." It's arguably her best acting work in the series, where she deals with the guilt of her past. It’s raw.
Second, look for her upcoming film Between Borders. It’s a different vibe, but you can still see that same emotional intelligence she brings to every role.
Ultimately, who played Mary Magdalene in The Chosen matters because of the way she played her. Elizabeth Tabish didn't just show up and say lines; she gave a voice to anyone who has ever felt like they were "too far gone" to be saved.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Follow her journey: Elizabeth is active on Instagram (@elizabethtabish), where she often shares behind-the-scenes thoughts on filming and her directing projects.
- Explore her filmography: Look for her short films and directorial work to see her creative vision outside of the biblical epic.
- Check the official app: If you want to see the "In My Words" specials, they are usually available on The Chosen app and offer deeper dives into how she prepares for the role.