In the fast-moving world of film and television, the prevailing wisdom is that “work begets work.” To stay relevant, you have to stay busy, stay visible, and — most of all — stay ready. But Amber Shana Williams, the actress who has captivated global audiences as the royal and resilient Tamar on “The Chosen,” is intentionally moving at a different pace.
Williams recently partnered with the daily devotional app Glorify for a seven-day audio series titled “Be Marked by the Extraordinary.” The series centers on overlooked biblical figures whose quiet, often invisible faith became a catalyst for God’s surprising work — think Naaman’s girl slave and the boy with five loaves and two fish.
Williams said the project arrived at a timely moment in her own life.
“I’m not even sure if it was necessarily me drawn to the series more that it was drawn to me,” she told Faithfully Magazine. “I feel like that it was exactly what I needed when I needed it.”
Williams said she was especially moved by how the devotional highlights those who “usually operate in silence or who aren’t necessarily standing out front, but have such a powerful effect on the trajectory of God’s plan.”
Her hope for listeners is simple: “That no matter how small they may feel, that they are absolutely part of God’s bigger plan. And that although they may sit in silence, they are not forgotten.”
Williams revealed that while recording the installment on suffering, she became overwhelmed with emotion.
“I just had a breakdown in the middle of doing that devotional,” she said. “I couldn’t do anything but apologize profusely because I’m like, I’m so sorry, this is so unprofessional. I’m here just bawling my eyes out.”
“It spoke to me directly,” she explained, describing how she had been “constantly working through suffering” rather than addressing it.
The moment of vulnerability helped reframe her pain.
“It reminded me that there was purpose in that suffering and that I wasn’t alone while I was going through that suffering because it can feel isolating,” she said.
Beyond suffering, Williams said the devotional’s message also intersects with her approach to career and faith. In an industry driven by visibility and momentum, she has found that boundaries are essential.
“You really have to put boundaries in this career,” the actress told FM, noting the pressure to always appear busy. “We need to also do that with our career sometimes when they start to impede on our family, on our peace, on our morals.”
Williams closed the conversation with a reminder she says everywhere she goes: “Everything will be a memory soon — the good and the bad.”
“When you are finding yourself in the midst of a storm, remember that it too will pass and it will be a memory soon that you will be looking back on,” she said. “When you find yourself under sunshine… just know that’ll also be a memory soon and to live accordingly, to value it, to be present.”
“And as the whole devotional that I was a part of is basically wanting people to understand,” she added, “is that there is so much power in being ordinary. And that even the most ordinary person can do extraordinary things.”
Editor’s note: This article is based on a longer, exclusive interview with Williams in which she discusses representation, identify, grief, suffering, and the outlook on life that keeps her grounded. Find that premium article at Faithfully Mag’s Substack.
