‘The Chosen’ Star Paras Patel Says His Role as Matthew ‘Helped Me Find My Purpose’

For Paras Patel, bringing the character of Matthew to life in The Chosen — the smash hit series based on the story of Jesus and his disciples — has been a transformative experience.

“It’s rare to be playing someone who inspires you,” the 38-year-old exclusively tells Closer of becoming an advocate for autism since landing the role in 2017. (Matthew is portrayed as neurodivergent in the show). “Being an ambassador to a community of beautiful people who finally feel like they’re being represented has helped me find my purpose. I’m doing something that’s making an impact.”

Here, Paras talks to Closer’s Katie Bruno about A-list fans and what’s next.

How does it feel to have such a major impact on the neurodivergent community?

PP: It’s been an amazing experience. I’m opening people’s minds and showing them what acceptance looks like. I see it globally. A dad once came up to me almost in tears and said, “We were watching an episode and my daughter jumped in front of the TV and said, ‘He’s like me.’” It taught them how to understand their child more. I was very touched by that.

Do you watch ‘Love on the Spectrum’?

PP: Yes, I just saw the sweetest clip of it on the Netflix page. It was so pure and innocent. A lot of my prep into Matthew was watching stuff like that and really getting into the body and voice of someone who is neurodivergent and just really wanting to be truthful and authentic.

Who are you closest with on the cast?

PP: Ramah [Yasmine Al-Bustami] is a very close friend of mine. Simon Peter [Shahar Isaac] is a good friend, as well as Little James [Jordan Walker Ross] and Thaddeus [Giavani Cairo]. We’re all close and connected.

There are rumors you’re dating Yasmine.

PP: No. We’re really, really close friends.

The show has a lot of famous fans. What’s that like?

PP: I get a lot of follows from celebrity fans like Gwen Stefani where I’m like, “Oh man, I grew up listening to your music.” Our cast chat thread was buzzing that Lin-Manuel [Miranda] is a fan. It’s cool to hear.

You’ve said that before acting, you got a finance degree to make your parents happy. How do they feel about your success?

PP: My parents came here from India, and their American dream [was for me to be] a medical doctor, lawyer or accountant. I picked what I thought was the easiest of the three [laughs]. I’m now privileged to be doing something I love, and they’re beaming with pride.

You took part in ‘The Chosen in the Wild with Bear Grylls.’ How was it?

PP: It was so awesome. He definitely threw some curveballs at me, but I was game.

There are two more seasons planned for ‘The Chosen.’ What would you like to do when it’s over?

PP: I know they’re exploring spinoffs [of The Chosen]. As someone who grew up Indian American, I’d love to do more stories geared toward that. After doing a heavy drama with a lot of emotion, I want to do something more freeing. Maybe a rom-com. Just something different.