These 4 Hollywood Actresses Opt for Faith-Filled Shows—Here’s Why

Published: July 24, 2025

By Michaela Gordoni

Chrissy Metz, Alexa PenaVega, Kat Graham and Paula Patton, stars of Lifetime’s upcoming faith-based movies, recently shared how they were led to their roles.

“These weren’t just roles,” said Patton, who leads in FINDING FAITH. “This was Heaven-sent.”

“I woke up that morning and I meditated and I prayed, and I was like, ‘I am so tired of feeling this way,’” she recalled. “And I just said, ‘You know what? I give it to You, God. I lay it at Your feet. I’m gonna walk just for this next week as if everything is working out in my favor.’”

Just a few hours later, a friend called her and told her he had a script for her.

“I thought, you’ve got to be kidding me…I read the script that night and it really mirrored things I had been through in my own life, issues of addiction and going through something really challenging, and finding yourself on the other side,” she said.

It was a hard role for Patton to play, but it helped her forgive herself for her past.

“It helped me see that when I was drinking, I wasn’t trusting God. When you take that one step to God, He helps you take 1,000 steps forward,” she said. “I felt that while making this film.”

“Through stories, we feel like we can get through anything,” Patton added. “That’s the gift Lifetime is giving.”

FINDING FAITH comes out on Aug. 8 on Lifetime. Chrissy Metz’ FAITH IN THE FLAMES: THE NICOLE JOLLY STORY, came out July 19. PenaVega’s movie, BEFORE YOUR FATHER FINDS US, comes out July 26. Kat Graham stars in IF I RUN, coming out Aug. 2.

“The surrendering and trusting was a through line throughout the movie, and it helped me anchor that in my life,” Metz said. “I was like, maybe I’ll learn something from playing her, because I definitely suffer with anxiety. It reminded me God doesn’t give us anything we can’t handle.”

“I struggle every day with perfection,” she added. “It’s a fantasy. But when I share my deepest vulnerabilities, that’s when people really connect.”

FAITH IN THE FLAMES is based on a true story.

Metz is all for Lifetime making faith-based movies.

“People are yearning for connection,” Metz said. “Even people who weren’t religious before are like, ‘I’ve started to pray.’ There’s a need for something more.”

The logline reads, “Torn between her duty to protect her patients and her desperate need to find her husband Nick, (Colin Moss) and children, Nichole discovers an unyielding strength within herself to save not only her family but countless residents from the encroaching flames.”

Like Patton, PenaVega had been wanting a new role.

“I was like, ‘Lord, I just want something different,’” PenaVega said. “And this popped up. It cracked me up because He just allowed me that out of nowhere. It was exactly what I needed.”

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Graham said the IF I RUN script “felt right” when she read it.

“The character was originally white in the books, and the fact that Lifetime made a choice to go with me really said a lot,” Graham said. “We all took a chance on something we believed in.”

“There’s so much horror and dark stuff out there,” Graham added. “These are positive stories led by women. And they matter too. People have to tune in and support these stories, that’s how we get more.”

IF I RUN is based on the novel by Terri Blackstock. Graham stars as Casey Cox, a woman who’s framed for her best friend’s murder. She uses skills and a little help from God to help her survive. Evan Roderick and James Tupper also star.

It’s wonderful to see leading Hollywood ladies use their talents to glorify God.

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