What This IT’S NOT LIKE THAT Character Teaches Us About Quiet Faith

Published: March 30, 2026

By Gavin Boyle

IT’S NOT LIKE THAT actor J.R. Ramirez explained how the faith of his character, David, impacts his life and causes him to pursue being a better father.

“I think David, he’s in the middle of, like, a complete tug of war with his life,” Ramirez explained. “He’s trying to, like I said, put his pieces back together. He’s trying to be a good father. Even though he doesn’t really state much…even though he does go to church, I truly believe that it is the backbone and the undercurrent of what’s keeping him together.”

“His faith is what keeps him together, is what makes him continue to want to be a better father. When he falls off the wagon, he instantly regrets it. I think his strive to become a better man, his strive to become a better father, is all because he’s put his life in His hands. So I think faith is, yeah, it’s very important for him,” the actor said.

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IT’S NOT LIKE THAT follows “Freshly divorced Lori and recently widowed minister Malcolm, friends with teens, [as they] navigate singlehood while questioning if their longstanding bond hints at a romantic future.”

David’s quiet faith reflects how many Christians live out their faith in the real world as they earnestly pursue the path the Lord sets before them. This honest portrayal of the Christian walk is not only what has made IT’S NOT LIKE THAT so popular, but it also drew the actors to the project in the first place.

“You know, look, I think this show does a really good job of managing really relatable situations and emotions,” actor Scott Foley, who plays Malcolm, told Movieguide® on the red carpet of the series premiere. “And that’s hard to do. You know, the writing about the human condition is endless, but doing it in a simple, good way is really hard to do. And that’s what attracted me to this show: the simple story. It’s the kinda show I like to be a part of and, and to watch.”

“There’s nothing special, there’s no high concept here,” he added. “It’s just really simple storytelling told well, and that’s what I love about it.”

While the show portrays the realities of faith in the real world, it makes sure to do so in a family-friendly way so that viewers can enjoy the show together.

“This is a show that you can watch with your family — you can sit down with your kids and watch this show,” Foley explained. “And the great thing is that whether your kid is eight or 18, everyone who sits down and watches it will relate to a different storyline. And to be able to talk about those storylines as family — or amongst friends and family — is really important. And I miss that. I miss talking about TV, and I hope people do that with this show.”

It is encouraging to see high-quality, faith-based content find fans around the world. The first season of IT’S NOT LIKE THAT is now available to stream on the Wonder Project streaming service.

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