Why This SCANDALous Actress Wanted to Join Faith-Filled THE WALTONS: HOMECOMING
By Movieguide® Staff
Bellamy Young’s notorious for her conniving role as the First Lady on SCANDAL, but was tired of the typecasting that came with playing on a murderous show.
“I read a lot of things that have a lot of ‘and then he gets murdered and then they shoot each other,’” Young said. After SCANDAL, she was in PRODIGAL SON and ready to star in something far more wholesome.
That’s when Movieguide® Award-winning producer Sam Haskell stepped in and told Young about his upcoming project, THE WALTONS: HOMECOMING.
“The show has meant so much to my family through the years, when Sam brought this up as an opportunity, I leapt at it in one of those moments where you sort of put the fear behind you and you’re like, ‘Well, I’ll face that fear later.’ Like this is too beautiful, a chance.”
Young plays matriarch Olivia Walton.
THE WALTONS: HOMECOMING was “Just something that was talking about family and love and truth and togetherness, I loved every moment.”
According to the Movieguide® review:
HOMECOMING is a well-made, emotional, powerful, retro movie. It has a great sense of jeopardy. Even better is the family’s constant references to faith, Jesus, church, and powerful prayers. A Christmas Eve service has MOVIEGUIDE® friends Marilyn McCoo and her husband, Billy Davis, singing great Christmas hymns. There are some unnecessary “d” obscenities, so caution is advised for younger children. Otherwise, THE WALTONS: HOMECOMING is an emotive movie that families should be delighted to watch.
Young wasn’t the only person who craved more uplifting content, as the special earned The CW’s highest viewership ratings in months.
“I think our world, not just our country, is coming out of such a lonely, lonely time, a time of fear and solitude,” Young said. “And the chance to put some gentleness and kindness in the world just seemed so lovely.”
Logan Shroyer, who portrays John-Boy in HOMECOMING said, “The thing that’s so interesting is the relevance of the Depression nowadays. It is so interesting, because with COVID, in the pandemic, the reality of their situation is they’re just stuck in their home with their family,” he said. “Recently, most people just experienced that. And dealing with money problems and all that kind of stuff. I just hope that people take away the sort of core beautiful family message of the Waltons; family is everything and you gotta love each other, and no matter what’s going on, you gotta you gotta deal with each other.”
Shroyer continued, “There’s obviously the God aspect, as well. So hopefully, like, that makes people think or satisfies that for people. There’s kind of like something for everybody, whether you’re identifying with Mary Ellen or John boy or mom and dad or whoever.”
The special also included Richard Thomas, who played John Boy in the original THE WALTONS.
“When Sam told us that Richard was going to be a part of it, I think that was the part that really made everything inside go quivery, just that truth, that level of beauty. His heart just reaches through the screen and like embraces you,” Young said. “So once he was a part of it, I just sort of felt like we’d all rise to his occasion. And I just watched it last night, and I’m so proud of what we did. So I am very, very proud to be next in the line of such a beautiful history of actors in this property.”
THE WALTONS: HOMECOMING is available for purchase from Prime Video.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
