Actor-Producer Couple Talks Being Christians in Hollywood: ‘Spread the Gospel’
By Movieguide® Contributor
Actors and producers Kenric Green and Sonequa Martin-Green, known for their roles in STAR TREK: DISCOVERY, recently shared how difficult but rewarding it is to be Christians in Hollywood.
“See, for us as a married couple working together in this industry as believers, it’s tricky. It’s tricky. Like it’s fun, but it’s tricky,” Green shared in a Mar. 26 episode of JESUS REVOLUTION producer Andrew Erwin’s podcast.
“There’s a lot of pitfalls, a lot of things that you have to avoid, and so us being able to share in that in that journey, to be able to speak to each other, support each other, pray for one another, is yeah, it’s everything. I don’t know that I’d be able to do it without her,” he said of his wife.
It’s never been easy for the couple to be Christians in an industry that supplies so much anti-faith content. But in the past year, they’ve learned how to better navigate their faith in their careers.
“It’s this evolution that Kenric was just talking about that we’ve gone through, even just in the last, you know, year, and [there’s] some change…We can’t express how profound it’s been and coming out of this last season that we were in the industry, and it very much feels like we’re turning the page going into a new season,” Martin-Green said.
“A new chapter of who we are as believers in this industry and how we do it, like Kenric was saying, to be brutally honest…it is tricky. And it’s a dream come true because now here we are understanding that we can really spread the gospel of grace, and we can really fulfill the will of the most high,” she explained.
Now, the couple has newfound confidence they can share their Gospel through their work.
“We can really, you know, create heaven everywhere that we go in this industry…knowing that we can do it and seeing it already begin to manifest with us launching our production company and meeting people…it is such a dream come true, and so now we’re like, all right God, now what?” she laughed.
Erwin said, “I think the thing that is exciting is, like you said, there’s something in the wind right now…Before this point, you know, as believers, I think we had to kind of be a little bit more hidden and subversive and kind of maybe edit out part of who we were professionally to kind of keep doing what we do and then look for our moments. And but I don’t know what it is that’s changed but in the past year specifically, all of a sudden you know we’re finding each other.”
“It’s like, ‘Oh you’re like me’ and some came from the outside, you know, and were people of faith that kind of found their way in the industry. Other people were, you know mainstream and doing their thing and then all of a sudden saying, ‘Oh, I have a voice and I can, I can be both’ and, you know, I think it’s an exciting time,” he explained. “So when we go into room like that, it’s like it emboldens you to be like, ‘Okay, I got a voice and I don’t have to apologize for who I am.’”
Martin-Green added that the combined presence of other believers in Hollywood makes all the difference.
“We have the blessing and the privilege of having each other, but it’s like, wow…we have a unit. We have an extended family. It’s like we can all do this together,” she said.
Green told Erwin, “I really love that you say Andy—you’ve said to us a few times—it’s like ‘rooting for you,’ you know, in your corner, and that’s been really encouraging for me personally because it’s like getting out here like you said, ‘a change in the air,’ getting out here, not having to be so subversive with what we truly believe and how we deal with people is you know something I’m stepping into and growing into myself.”
Green confessed that he used to tiptoe around Hollywood professionals.
“I’ve gotten so used to playing the game, speaking in a certain way where I can be encouraging. Maybe you know Jesus, maybe you don’t, but hey, I know it’s coming from love, and hopefully you get it,” he said.
“It’s like now being able to come to the forefront and be forward-facing with our faith, speak to people who may not share our beliefs but say like, ‘Hey, this is where we’re coming. From these are the things that we want to do. What we believe in these certain things, we’re not so interested in doing, you know; hopefully, that doesn’t offend you, but if it does, you’ll sort it out where, you know, we know where we’re coming from.”
Martin-Green recently made headlines when she signed on with Independent Artist Group, a talent agency that also represents Billy Joel and Metallica.
She made history when she earned the role of Michael Burnham in STAR TREK: DISCOVERY. In 2017, she became the first-ever black female captain in the 59-year-old franchise.
Movieguide® reported on other actors, like Jonathon Roumie, who “stand firm as a Christian in Hollywood:”
Although Hollywood and culture are traveling in one direction, and Christians are traveling the opposite direction, actor Jonathan Roumie of THE CHOSEN encouraged actors to stand firm in the faith, ask discerning questions, and work to find the good in secular roles.
“The culture is, in general, at odds with faith but then it comes down to reality,” Roumie said in an interview. “What are the jobs you’re being offered? What about the job makes you uncomfortable [and] makes you uneasy?
“We have to remember as actors not to judge the characters we play,” he continued. “If there’s anything that you feel is compromising your spirituality that’s one thing, if you feel like he’s maybe a bad guy, well I try to find the good, I try to find Christ in all of these characters.”
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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.
