Taye Diggs to Star in Fox’s ‘The Chosen: The Three Kings’ Christmas Special, Which Gets Premiere Date and First Look (EXCLUSIVE)

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Taye Diggs has joined the cast of Fox’s upcoming “The Chosen” Christmas special, Variety has exclusively learned. Diggs will play Balthasar on “The Chosen: The Three Kings,” which is set to air Monday, Dec. 14 at 8 p.m. ET on Fox (and stream the next day on Hulu).

Diggs stars along with Piter Marek as Melchior and Rahul Rai as Gaspar, aka the three kings. “The Chosen” creator Dallas Jenkins is executive producer, with Ryan Swanson and Taylor Thompson.

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As previously announced, “The Chosen: The Three Kings” reps the third of “The Chosen” Christmas trilogy and the first to premiere on a broadcast network. The previous specials — “The Shepherd” (2017, which also served as the series pilot) and “The Messengers” (2021) — premiered on other platforms: “The Shepherd” on Facebook and “The Messengers” in movie theaters.

Here’s the logline for “The Chosen: The Three Kings”: “An impossible bright light over the tiny town of Bethlehem astonishes even distant lands. But for three kings, it fulfills a prophecy signaling the birth of a new ruler. Terrified of regime change or even death, they set out on a high-stakes journey to pay tribute to the newborn king. But when they arrive, their shocking discovery changes their lives and the entire world, forever.”

“In this final chapter in The Chosen’s Christmas trilogy, ‘The Chosen: The Three Kings’ tells the story of Jesus’ arrival through the eyes of those who traveled the farthest to find Him. ‘The Chosen: The Three Kings’ brings their extraordinary journey to the forefront, offering a deeply human perspective on one of the Bible’s most enduring stories.”

Diggs’ credits include “All American,” “Private Practice,” “How Stella Got Her Groove Back” and “The Best Man,” among others. On Broadway, he’s been seen in productions including “Chicago,” “Moulin Rouge,” “Wicked” and “Hedwig and the Angry Inch.”

Marek’s credits include “The Blacklist,” “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” “Girls5eva,” “Chicago Fire” and “Blue Bloods.” On Broadway, he’s been seen in “Cyrano de Bergerac,” “Disgraced” and “Punch.” Rai has been seen in “Ballard,” “Barry,” “A Man on the Inside” and “The Upshaws.” He’s also been in the films “When Harry Tries to Marry,” “The Distance Between Us” and “Greytown Girl.”

“The Chosen” is produced by 5&2 Studios; the regular series moved last year to Prime Video under Jenkins’ and 5&2’s multi-faceted deal with Amazon MGM Studios, which includes exclusive U.S. streaming rights to and a theatrical release of new installments of “The Chosen.” Season 6 of “The Chosen” premieres Nov. 15 on Prime Video.

Other series in “The Chosen” universe from 5&2 include “The Chosen in the Wild with Bear Grylls,” “Joseph of Egypt” and “The Chosen Adventures” at Prime Video.

Here’s a first look at “The Chosen: The Three Kings”: