Bear Grylls defends baptising Russell Brand, stating that his religion teaches him to not judge others.

In recent years, we have seen Bear Grylls, the famous survivalist from TV, become more open about his Christian beliefs. In 2024, he made a very public display of his faith when he was present at the baptism of Russell Brand, a comedian who had been accused of sexual assault. Grylls posted a picture of the three of them hugging in the river, with Brand expressing his gratitude for the Holy Spirit.

As Grylls prepares for his new Amazon Prime series, The Chosen in the Wild, he was asked about his thoughts on baptizing Brand all those years ago. He initially faced backlash for standing with the comedian, but he stood by his decision and stated that it was a privilege to stand by someone who was seeking forgiveness and strength from a higher power. Grylls shared that his guiding phrase, "What would Jesus do?", continues to shape his actions and decisions.

It has been two years since Brand's baptism and he has since admitted to having sexual relations with a 16-year-old when he was 30. This has caused many to question Grylls' stance on baptizing him. Grylls admits that his faith has evolved and he has doubts, but at the core of his beliefs, he believes in the connection between people and the importance of not judging and loving others.

He starts each day on his knees, asking for forgiveness, gratitude, and guidance. Grylls has been exploring his faith on a public platform and fulfilled a long-time dream of his in 2025 when he retold the life story of Jesus in his book, The Greatest Story Ever Told. Now, with his new show, The Chosen in the Wild, he takes the main cast of the popular series, The Chosen, on their own wild adventures.

Grylls shares that the actors have shown consistent vulnerability and heart, as these roles have changed their lives. One of Grylls' lifelong wishes was to do Running Wild with Jesus, and although this show is not quite that, it still holds a special place in his heart. He was nervous before filming with the actor who plays Jesus, Jonathan Roumie, but he was pleased to have the opportunity to see what he was like in real life.

The Chosen in the Wild has a large fan base, with millions of viewers, and Grylls promises an honest and raw look at Jonathan's personal struggles with playing Jesus. For Grylls, his faith comes alive in nature, particularly in the mountains, and among friends. He finds peace and spirituality when he connects with the earth and enjoys the outdoors.

The Chosen in the Wild combines these two aspects beautifully, and Grylls admits that this show has had a different impact on him compared to his previous show, Running Wild. All six episodes will be available to stream on Amazon Prime Video on August 9, 2026.