Roma Downey: ‘I Continue To Create Content That Is Hopeful’
By Movieguide® Contributor
Actress and producer Roma Downey released her new book, “Unexpected Blessings: 90 inspirations to nourish your soul, and open your heart,” and shared her thoughts on holding to faith in Hollywood.
“I felt a call in my life for many years, and I just continue to try to create and generate content that is hopeful, that is uplifting, that’s inspiring in some way,” Downey told The Christian Post.
Downey said that her new book was inspired by her previous book, “Box of Butterflies.”
“It’s been a very challenging few years, I think, for everybody with COVID and one thing and another,” the actress explained. “I decided that if ‘Box of Butterflies’ was the tree, then this new book was like a branch of really doing that deeper dive. Understanding that while life may not be unfolding the way we imagined, there are still blessings everywhere.”
“I found my experience, particularly in the first year of COVID, where there was so much anxiety and so much uncertainty and so much we didn’t know about it, the time that we had to slow down, it forced a re-looking at our lives, and finding new priorities and real value in spending time with family,” she continued. “It really set me on this journey to explore the unexpected blessings and to see that…even things that come in that are challenging or that seem like obstacles, that if you really have an open heart and are willing to spend a little bit of time each day with God, you’ll start to see that the blessings are everywhere.”
Downey also talked about how she has promoted her Christian faith through her work in the entertainment industry, noting that Christian have carved out a space in Hollywood where they can create and promote faith-based content.
“I think when we first started, there was and there is still opposition,” Downey said. “Not everybody’s going to love what you do, and not everybody’s going to respond to that positively. But have courage and keep moving forward with strength.”
“In my experience, we’re a big community of people,” she continued, referring to the Christian community. “The content may not be for everybody. We’re not trying to force it down anybody’s throat; we’re just creating it lovingly inviting people to participate.”
She added, “I have found over the years, the longer I’ve been in this space, in this faith space, is that for the most part, people are very respectful and kind. In my experience, there are good people everywhere, doing good things. If anything, we just need to make more noise for the good guys out there.”
Movieguide® has previously reported on Downey’s efforts to deliver faith-based content:
Roma Downey is no stranger to adapting stories from the Bible for the big and small screens. Most recently, the actor and producer, along with her husband film executive Mark Burnett, released the ultimate story of hope in RESURRECTION ahead of Easter.
For Downey, bringing quality, biblically grounded, and family-friendly content to audiences is one of her primary goals as streaming services become saturated with new content.
“If you’re a screenwriter, the Bible has everything,” Downey told Fox News in a recent interview. “There’s tension, betrayal, love, sacrifice, heroism, drama, danger – you name it. It has all the ingredients that make up a great story.”
Downey continued: “But it’s deeper than that. People are hungry for God. I think they’re hungry for hope. We’ve been so visual and there are so many streaming services now. There’s so much content available. But I think people truly want to see these stories on the screen. And the Bible is beautiful.”
One of the things that adaptions do is help audiences relate to the characters from the Bible.
“I think watching the Bible on the screen allows people to make a real emotional connection. And this story focuses on the disciples. We look back and see just how heroic and courageous they were. I’m sure they were scared to death and yet they persevered. And I think audiences can relate to that,” Downey explained. “We see ourselves in them and it makes us feel even more connected to the story.”
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.
