There's a certain magic in contradiction—the light and shadow that coexist within every artist, every character, every story. Elizabeth Tabish embodies this duality with effortless grace. Best known for her powerful portrayal of Mary Magdalene in the worldwide phenomenon The Chosen, she brings an intensity to her work that is both luminous and haunting. As Season 5 approaches its theatrical release at the end of March and its arrival on Amazon Prime in June, Tabish is poised to take audiences on yet another profound journey—one that is raw, transformative, and unafraid to explore the depths of human emotion.

From the heartland of Oklahoma to the creative pulse of Austin, Tabish's artistic voyage is one of resilience and passion. She found her true home in Austin's thriving independent film scene, co-founding the Austin Arthouse Film Festival and embracing cinema as an actress and filmmaker. With a Master's in Theater and a Bachelor's in Film Studies, she fluidly transitioned from indie films to television, each role adding new depth to her evolving artistry.

Few series have built a fanbase as passionate and devoted as The Chosen. The show's profoundly personal storytelling and fresh perspective on biblical figures have resonated with millions worldwide, creating a community of viewers who find solace, inspiration, and meaning in its retelling of Jesus' journey. As the highly anticipated fifth season approaches, the stakes are higher than ever.

"Season 5 is a point of no return," Tabish reveals. Jesus moves from a peaceful healer to someone who challenges authority in ways that shook his followers. Mary Magdalene, ever intuitive, senses the coming storm. "She's on a mission—fearless, running up against authority, trying to change fate," she explains. Her journey is one of grief and reckoning. Standing at the precipice of history, she is willing to risk everything for those she loves.

Tabish's portrayal of Mary has struck a profound chord with audiences. "The stories fans have entrusted to me have left an indelible mark on my heart. They remind me that none of us walk this path alone, that the burdens we carry—especially the silent wounds of womanhood—are much more universal than we often realize." she shares. "And how much Jesus respected and elevated women in his teachings. I don't know how Christianity became so patriarchal when, time and again, Jesus entrusted women with his message first."

Her journey with The Chosen is also very personal. "Creatively, I was so frustrated with the quality of roles I was getting auditions for—these stereotypes and one-dimensional female characters described only by their age and appearance. So when I first read the script for The Chosen, it was the first time I truly felt seen by this psychologically complicated, troubled, emotionally complex character. But instead of her being a tragic tale, it's just the beginning of her story. It's an honor to play Mary of Magdala."

Beyond acting, Tabish has also carved out a path as a filmmaker, a role that has deepened her understanding of the medium and shaped her approach to storytelling. To her, directing is more than orchestrating a scene—it is an intimate, almost alchemical dance with the lens. "Directing has helped me understand the medium as a spiritual relationship," she explains. "In film, there is the director, the actors, the DP, the audience, the crew. But then there's this other element, the camera, the lens. It's an unnamed and uncredited presence because it sees things—true things—and the whole gang scrambles to appease it, adjust for it, speak to it, expose ourselves to it." Unlike theater, where actors reach for an audience that breathes and reacts in real time, the film requires an invisible communion—a connection with an ever-watchful, omnipresent eye. "The camera isn't just an observer—it's a presence, revealing truths we can't hide from. It's a lie detector. You can't fake what's inside."

With two more seasons of The Chosen still to come, Elizabeth Tabish is eager to continue Mary Magdalene's journey, but her creative aspirations stretch far beyond that. "I have films I want to direct, scripts I'm writing, even a novel," she muses. I'm fascinated by the subconscious, dreams, memory, and trauma."

When it comes to acting, she seeks complexity—characters layered with light and shadow, realism and surrealism. "I love roles like those in Severance, Twin Peaks, Fargo, The Sopranos, Mad Men… characters with deep, mysterious interiors. That's the dream."

Whether in front of the lens or behind it, Elizabeth Tabish is a seeker of truth, beauty, and the unseen forces that shape us. As she forges ahead into new creative ventures, one thing is certain: her artistry will continue to mesmerize. She will uncover the unseen, give voice to the silent, and embrace the light and shadow within all of us, illuminating the human experience in all its raw, poetic brilliance.