The fourth season of the independent Christian series “The Chosen” was among the list of 39 productions approved by SAG-AFTRA to continue filming during its ongoing actors strike.

Projects that are not being produced by a Hollywood studio that is a member of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers may apply to sign an interim agreement that would allow production to continue and for SAG-AFTRA members to perform without being in violation of the strike order. More productions are expected to be approved in the coming weeks.

While distribution rights to the show have been awarded to Lionsgate Television, “The Chosen” gets its budget entirely from crowdfunding, as millions have contributed to the production starring Jonathan Roumie as Jesus of Nazareth. Though the show is available to stream on its own app, millions of fans have turned out to see special engagement theatrical screenings of the show, including a Christmas special that earned $13.7 million at the box office in 2021.

The letter says the interim agreement is a “vital” part of SAG-AFTRA’s strategy in negotiating with the AMPTP. “If the AMPTP continues to refuse to bargain, our strategy denies them the ability to freely make their own original productions, allowing everyone other than the AMPTP to produce content with our members,” it says.

Many in the acting community have been voicing displeasure at productions moving forward under interim agreements, which include projects from companies like A24 and films starring actors like Anne Hathaway and Paul Rudd.