Why Did Yoshi Leave The Chosen? Who Is the New Philip?

When he calls your name, your redemption begins. The Chosen on Netflix has captured the hearts of people across the globe. This Christian historical drama was first released in 2019, with the help of crowdfunding for the first season.

After the first eight episodes, the series was trending through word of mouth, considered the most successful crowdfunded TV project.

People from all religions were able to resonate with the sensitive handling of the subject matter and, for the first time, depict the life of Jesus of Nazareth in a multi-season series format.

So far, the last three seasons have mainly focused on the journey of Jesus with his twelve apostles. However, the fourth season brought devastating news for the fans as one of the actors announced his departure from the show.

Why Did Yoshi Barrigas Leave The Chosen?

Yoshi Barrigas, who plays Philip on The Chosen, took to his Instagram to announce his departure from the show.

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A post shared by Yoshi Barrigas (@yoshthejester)

Yoshi Barrigas has previously worked on the hit series, The Big Ban Theory, and Criminal Minds.

He is also a musician, specifically a guitarist. In 2022, he was involved in co-producing songs for singer-songwriter Azusena’s album.

Yoshi auditioned for the show after apprehensions about playing a character in a faith-based show. But apparently, his serendipitous encounter with Justin Bieber changes his perspective.

His role in The Chosen made him a household name, considering his charm on screen and impeccable acting chops. Hence, this departure came as a shock for the fans. Although he did not mention the actual reason for his leaving the show, some speculated that his health condition might be a factor.

What Happened to Yoshi on The Chosen?

Yoshi mentioned in a podcast last year that he suffered from three herniated discs in his upper spine and neck. He elaborates further that he experiences incessant pain daily. He describes the pain, “Think of someone grabbing both of your trapezii and squeezing as hard as they can. That’s pretty much how that pain feels.”

Barrigas said that he had a hard time coping with the pain, leading the fans to infer that would be the reason for his departure.

Although, he has not revealed the definite cause yet. Nevertheless, he received an outpouring of support and well-wishes from his fans for his future endeavors.

Who Is the New Philip in The Chosen?

After Yoshi’s announcement, fans were left wondering who would fill in his shoes. However, certain behind-the-scenes stills from season 4 show an unknown man donning a similar outfit as Philip. Fans were quick to deduce that this might be the new actor recast.

Reza Diaco is said to play Philip in The Chosen from Season 4 onwards. He is famous for his role in the hit political series, The Diplomat and the Guy Ritchie movie, The Covenant alongside Jake Gyllenhaal.

This Austrian-Iranian actor has the perfect stature and looks to play the charming Philip on The Chosen. Fans are anticipating his portrayal of the character.

What Is The Character Of Philip On The Chosen?

Philip, a typical Hebrew boy, was born and raised in Bethesda. He studied in the Hebrew School and was ready to embark on a similar fate as his parents.

However, his one encounter with John, the Baptizer, changed his worldview completely. John was a free thinker, which created a sense of animosity with the Pharisees. Philip was instantly drawn to his teachings and became his disciple after his parents granted him permission, seeing his newfound zeal.

Later, he became one of the apostles of Jesus, and we see his journey of self-discovery throughout the series.

What are your thoughts on Yoshi leaving the show? Can Reza bring in the authenticity of the character? What do you think of The Chosen series so far?

Let us know your opinions in the comment section below.