Honestly, if you ran into Elizabeth Tabish back in 2018, you wouldn’t have seen a burgeoning star on the brink of a global phenomenon. You would’ve met a woman who was done.
She was living with her mom. Her bank account was essentially a series of red flags. She was "self-medicating" with alcohol, dealing with chronic back pain, and had told her agent to just stop. Stop the auditions. Stop the rejection. The dream was dead.
Then came the script for The Chosen.
Most people know her now as the face of Mary Magdalene, the woman who uttered the iconic line, "I was one way and now I am completely different." But the irony is that Elizabeth Tabish was living that line before she ever stepped in front of the camera. She didn't just play a character who was at the end of her rope; she was there herself.
Why Elizabeth Tabish and The Chosen Almost Never Happened
It’s kinda wild to think about, but her agent actually ignored her. When Liz said "no more auditions," he sent her the script for The Chosen anyway.
She read it and felt an "intense connection." It wasn't just another gig. It felt like a mirror. In the pilot episode, Mary is introduced as "Lilith," a woman tormented by demons and deep-seated trauma. For Liz, who was wrestling with her own "loop of despair," this wasn't just acting. It was catharsis.
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She told herself that if she didn't book this specific role, she’d take it as a final sign to quit acting forever.
A Journey from Cynicism to Faith
Liz grew up Catholic, but by the time she reached adulthood, she was—in her own words—"hardcore cynical." Moving to the Bible Belt as a kid didn't help. She felt like an outsider, someone who didn't fit the "perfect Christian" mold. She saw hypocrisy, felt excluded, and eventually just walked away from the communal aspect of faith.
The Chosen changed that.
Working on the show, specifically alongside Jonathan Roumie (who plays Jesus), started to peel back the layers of that cynicism. She realized the Jesus of the Gospels wasn't the judgmental figure she'd grown to resent in modern religious circles. He was revolutionary. He was for the "messy" people.
The Evolution of Mary Magdalene
If you’ve followed the show into its later seasons—we're talking about the massive shift in Season 4 and the upcoming Season 5—you've seen Mary's role evolve significantly.
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In the beginning, she was the rescued one.
By Season 4, she’s become an observer, a witness, and a source of stability for the other disciples. Liz describes this as a "two steps forward, one step back" kind of growth. It’s messy. In Season 2, she even has a relapse, fleeing back to her old life before being brought back by Jesus’ mercy.
"We are allowed to change, we are allowed to grow, and that’s such a beautiful gift because that’s the whole point of life." — Elizabeth Tabish
Facts You Probably Didn't Know About Liz:
- She’s a Director: Liz isn't just an actress. she has an M.A. in Theatre and a B.A. in Screen Studies. She’s directed several award-winning short films like Mother’s Day and The Darlings.
- Heritage Matters: She is of Armenian, Lebanese, and Italian descent. This actually played a huge role in her 2025 film Between Borders, where she played an Armenian woman fleeing the collapse of the Soviet Union.
- The Family Connection: Her brother is Jesse Tabish, the frontman for the indie-folk band Other Lives. Talent clearly runs in the family.
- Life in Cleveland: She moved from the Austin film scene to Cleveland, where she lives with her husband, Stan Mayer.
The Impact of The Chosen 2026 and Beyond
As The Chosen moves toward its conclusion (the series is planned for seven seasons), the cultural footprint of Elizabeth Tabish continues to grow. She’s become a bit of an accidental spokesperson for mental health and "complicated" faith.
People relate to her because she doesn't pretend to be a saint. She’s open about her "hardcore leftist" views and her past struggles. In a world of polished, "perfect" Christian media, Liz is a breath of fresh air because she’s authentic.
What's Next for Liz?
Aside from the heavy lifting in The Chosen Season 5—which dives into the Holy Week and the Last Supper—Liz has been branching out.
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- Between Borders (2025): A gritty, historical drama where she plays Violetta Petrosyan.
- The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: A 2024 holiday film that showed her comedic range.
- The Chosen Adventures: She’s voicing Mary in the new animated series.
How to Apply the "Mary Magdalene" Mindset
If there is one thing to take away from Elizabeth Tabish’s journey, it’s that your "lowest point" isn't the end of the story. It’s usually just the end of the first act.
Actionable Insights from Liz's Story:
- Re-evaluate Your "No": Liz almost said no to the role that changed her life. Sometimes the thing you're most afraid of (or cynical about) is exactly where you need to be.
- Embrace the "Two Steps Forward" Rule: Growth isn't a straight line. If you've had a setback—whether it's with your mental health, your career, or your faith—realize that even Mary Magdalene had to be "rescued" more than once.
- Channel Your Pain into Purpose: Liz used her actual depression and trauma to fuel her performance. Whatever you’re going through, find a way to let it inform your work or your art rather than just weighing you down.
Elizabeth Tabish didn't just get a job on a TV show; she found a path back to herself. Whether you're a fan of the show or just someone looking for a comeback story, her life is proof that "different" is always possible.
To keep up with her journey, you can follow her on social media or catch the latest episodes of The Chosen on the official app, which remains the best place to see her work in its full context.