Dallas Jenkins, the creator of the hit drama The Chosen, recently revealed a significant behind-the-scenes detail about the show’s upcoming season. During an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Jenkins, who also serves as the show’s director and co-writer, discussed how season 6 will portray one of the most pivotal moments in Christian history: the crucifixion of Jesus. What makes this moment even more extraordinary is that it will be filmed in Matera, Italy — the same location where Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ was shot. This connection between the two films is significant not just from a logistical perspective but also from an emotional and spiritual standpoint.

Jenkins emphasized that filming the crucifixion scene is one of the most physically demanding and logistically complex tasks the production team has ever undertaken. “The thing about filming the crucifixion is that it is the most physically and logistically challenging thing that we’ve ever done,” Jenkins explained. The entire process spans three weeks, during which the crew will work tirelessly to capture the essence of such an intense scene. Matera’s unique landscape, with its ancient architecture and first-century skyline, offers the perfect backdrop for the dramatic moment. Jenkins highlighted how this particular location, still relatively remote, holds immense historical significance, making it one of the few places in the world that can genuinely evoke the atmosphere of the time.

“This is where Mel Gibson filmed The Passion of the Christ… It’s one of the few places in the world that offers a first-century skyline while we’re up on crosses, but yet it’s still remote,” Jenkins shared, noting the profound historical connection to the location. He further explained that despite the beauty and historical weight of the place, the logistics of filming in such an environment pose significant challenges. The production crew faces the complex task of shooting at night for a full week, navigating the physical terrain and dealing with the intense demands of the set.

As the director, Jenkins admitted that the enormity of the scene’s technical requirements means that he doesn’t always have the luxury of focusing on the emotional and spiritual weight of the event. The pressure of getting everything right, from the camera angles to the lighting, is overwhelming. “All these things are so physically demanding and logistically challenging that the spiritual and emotional weight of it is competing with the physical and logistical weight of it. And so I don’t really have too much brain space or heart space to make this just all about a spiritual and emotional experience,” Jenkins confessed. He went on to say that the goal is not to let the emotional heaviness overshadow the professional responsibility of capturing the crucifixion accurately. “We have an important job to do. It has to look right, we have to capture it properly,” he remarked.

Jenkins also discussed the personal toll the production process takes, especially for Jonathan Roumie, the actor who plays Jesus. Roumie, according to Jenkins, will face both physical and emotional challenges while portraying the crucifixion. Despite these challenges, Jenkins emphasized that every season of The Chosen is important, and the crucifixion scene must be treated with the same level of respect and care as every other part of the series. “Obviously, there’s more weight. Obviously, Jonathan is going to go through some physical and emotional challenges. But every season of our show is important,” Jenkins stated, stressing that it’s essential to maintain the focus on delivering a high-quality production for the audience.

Reflecting on the spiritual gravity of the moment, Jenkins explained that he has to strike a delicate balance between honoring the emotional depth of the event while ensuring that it doesn’t come across as overly religious or preachy. “My job is actually to make sure that it doesn’t feel too religious, right?” Jenkins said. He emphasized that the goal is to avoid creating a scene that feels like a sermon or a religious painting, as it might alienate some viewers. Instead, the aim is to keep the depiction grounded in the humanity of the characters involved.

Jenkins elaborated on how the production team aims to find the humanity in the characters, ensuring that the scene feels like a piece of television, not a moment frozen in time like a religious painting. “We still need to find the humanity. It still needs to be a television show,” he explained. The challenge is to balance the sacredness of the moment with the realistic portrayal of the emotions and struggles of those involved. The scene must not become a platform for personal reflection on the director’s part but should remain focused on the characters and the story.

The significance of filming in Matera lies not just in its historical accuracy but in the spiritual connection it creates between The Chosen and The Passion of the Christ. The fact that the show will depict the crucifixion in the same location where Gibson’s iconic film was made creates a sense of continuity between the two portrayals of this momentous event. Matera’s ancient streets and buildings offer a glimpse into the past, allowing both the cast and the audience to feel a deeper connection to the historical setting. The importance of capturing such a moment with authenticity is not lost on Jenkins, who recognizes the immense weight the scene carries, both professionally and personally.

The production of The Chosen season 6 promises to be a monumental undertaking, with its depiction of the crucifixion marking a significant milestone for the series. Fans can expect a portrayal that is not only visually stunning but also emotionally resonant, as Jenkins and his team strive to create a deeply human and relatable representation of one of the most significant events in history. Jenkins remains focused on the task at hand, acknowledging the technical difficulties while honoring the spiritual importance of the scene. “I’ve got a job to do,” he said, underscoring his commitment to bringing this pivotal moment to life in the most powerful way possible.