‘Believers Are Everywhere’: Roma Downey on Success of Faith-Based Content
By Movieguide® Contributor
Roma Downey and filmmaker Andrew Erwin recently spoke about how stories of faith are taking over the entertainment industry.
“This has been a year where [we’re] seeing a lot of success from people that have plowed very hard in the same direction,” Erwin said during an episode of “The Storytellers” podcast. “We had a good year with JESUS REVOLUTION; you guys were an encouragement with that.”
JESUS REVOLUTION was a critical and commercial success. It made over $50 million at the box office and just won a Teddy Bear Award® at this year’s Movieguide® Awards ceremony.
“I’m delighted to see it, you know, because for so long, it felt like we were all pushing into the wind,” Downey said. “We’re all choosing different kinds of stories, but they’re all ultimately these stories that open the heart with an intention of getting closer to God, or to know God in some way.”
The TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL star talked about how, for so long, Christians were viewed as outliers by the entertainment industry, but “believers are everywhere, and I think that, finally with quality material showing up consistently, that people are consistently showing up.”
Downey also spoke about her upcoming project, a show for Amazon Prime called THE BAXTERS.
A synopsis of THE BAXTERS calls the show “an ensemble family drama based on the bestselling novels from Karen Kingsbury, that follows Elizabeth and John Baxter, and their adult children, as they navigate life’s highs and lows, both with and without God.”
In a statement about Amazon’s acquisition of THE BAXTERS, Downey said, “With over 25 million fans of the Baxter series books we know audiences are going to love this family drama brought to life, and I am personally so excited to bring more inspirational content to Prime Video.”
“We’ve coined the phrase ‘a hope opera,’ and I think that kind of sums it up,” Downey told Erwin of the show’s content. “Because the stories are catchy and it ultimately is [about] how family comes together, how community comes together.”
Movieguide® previously reported on THE BAXTERS:
Prime Video just announced its new spring release—THE BAXTERS.
“The series stars and is executive produced by actress, producer, and New York Times best-selling author Roma Downey as the family matriarch, Elizabeth Baxter,” Patheos reported. “Also starring is Ted McGinley (SHRINKING, MARRIED…WITH CHILDREN) as John Baxter. THE BAXTERS is slated to stream spring 2024 exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.”
“The deal with Prime Video comes as Amazon has heightened its focus on faith-based, family-friendly, and uplifting series and movies,” Variety reported.
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.
