While Lifetime is best known for its suspenseful and thrilling movies throughout the year, their upcoming premieres take a more inspirational turn. These four new films highlight strong women leaning on their faith as they face life’s challenges.
One of the premieres features Alexa PenaVega (Mr. Manhattan) and Jaeda Miller (When Calls the Heart), which I know will catch the attention of many of you! (It certainly did me, as I love both actresses!)
Take a look below at Lifetime's press release for all the details on the four faith-focused premieres coming this July and August...
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image via: Lifetime - Chrissy Metz, Alexa PenaVega, Kat Graham, and Paula Patton |
LOS ANGELES, CA (June 18, 2025) – Lifetime announces new Saturday night movies centered on women facing unfathomable circumstances who use their faith to lead them through.
Faith in the Flames: The Nichole Jolly Story, a gripping film based on the true story of the devastating 2018 fire that ripped through Paradise, California, is set to debut on July 19 and stars Emmy® nominee Chrissy Metz (This is Us).
The following week on July 26, Alexa PenaVega (Spy Kids, Perfect Pictures Mysteries) stars and executive produces Before Your Father Finds Us, the story of a woman who must draw on her faith to hide her and her teen daughter from her violent ex-husband.
On August 2, Lifetime adapts the best-selling Christian suspense book, Terri Blackstock’s If I Run, with Kat Graham (Duplicity, How It Ends, The Vampire Diaries) set to executive produce and star as Casey Cox, a woman on the run after discovering her best friend is murdered – and she is being framed for it. She must turn to her faith to guide her through the obstacles before her.
Lifetime also acquires the inspirational movie Finding Faith, starring Paula Patton (Precious), the poignant story of Faith Mitchell, whose life is shattered by an unexpected tragedy and must rebuild her life through a journey of rediscovery, hope, and purpose, to premiere August 9.
“We are always listening to our audience, and we know there has always been a desire for stories that reflect strength, resilience, and faith,” said Elaine Frontain Bryant, EVP and Head of Programming, A&E, Lifetime and LMN. “With these four new films, we’re thrilled to step into the faith-based space in a way that feels authentic, powerful, and deeply emotional. These are stories of healing, hope, and perseverance—and we believe they will resonate with anyone who’s ever faced adversity and looked for light in the darkness.”
Faith in the Flames: The Nichole Jolly Story
Starring Emmy®-nominated actress Chrissy Metz as Nichole Jolly, a nurse at the town’s hospital, who begins her day as usual, only to face an unimaginable crisis when a wildfire rapidly engulfs the town. 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. The film is a tribute to the indomitable human spirit and the unsung heroes who emerge in the face of tragedy.
Faith in the Flames: The Nichole Jolly Story is produced by Lighthouse Pictures and Wishing Floor Films in association with FilmAfrika and Motion Entertainment, a WPP Media Company. Jameson Parker, Catherine Kretz and Gemma Martini executive produce for Lighthouse Pictures. Danielle von Zerneck executive produces for Wishing Floor Films. Richard Foster and Chet Fenster serve as executive producers for Motion Entertainment, a WPP Media Company. Rudi Van As, Nicola Unsworth and Schalk Berger produced for FilmAfrika. The film is directed by Jozua Malherbe from a script by Kelly Fullerton. As part of the film’s rollout, the Rebuild Paradise Foundation will be highlighted and A+E Global Media has made a donation in support of the fire victims who are still rebuilding their lives.
Before Your Father Finds Us
Sophia (Alexa PenaVega) and baby daughter, Emily, are forced to go into witness protection after she has to testify against her ex-husband Mason (Tahmoh Penikett) for his crimes. After years of living a seemingly normal life with new friends and relationships, Sophia learns that Mason has escaped from his maximum security prison. Knowing his strength and connections, Sophia is forced to reveal the truth to her now teenage daughter about who her father really is – and having to leave everything behind. Escaping to an old remote cabin in the woods together, Sophia and Emily must do everything it takes to survive Mason and his ruthless intent to make the family whole again.
Before Your Father Finds Us is produced by Navid Soofi for PF Maple Productions Inc in association with Studio TF1 America for Lifetime. Alexa PenaVega, Tim Johnson, Meghan Hooper White, Amelia Burstyn and Gary Auerbach serve as executive producers. The movie is written by Julie Auerbach and Jason Bourque who also serves as director.
Terri Blackstock’s If I Run
Adapted from best-selling author Terri Blackstock’s book, If I Run follows Casey Cox (Graham), a woman on the run after discovering her best friend Brent has been murdered—and she is being framed for it. Not knowing who to trust, Casey flees, using her intelligence and resourcefulness to stay hidden and the signs of divine guidance to help her in her journey. Meanwhile, Dylan Roberts (Evan Roderick, Spinning Out, Arrow, BH90210), a war-weary veteran and private investigator with PTSD, is hired to track her down. As Dylan digs deeper into the case, he begins to suspect that Casey might actually be innocent and that the real story is far more complex—and dangerous—than it first appeared. James Tupper (Big Little Lies) also stars.
Terri Blackstock’s If I Run is produced by Lighthouse Pictures, in Association with Fezziwig Studios. Dan Angel, Barbara Fisher, Jane Charles and Kat Graham serve as executive producers. Jameson Parker and Gemma Martini serve as executive producers for Lighthouse Pictures. Michael M. Scott directs from a script written by Alison Lea Bingeman and Kelly Fullterton.
Finding Faith - World Broadcast Premiere
Struck by a sudden death of her husband, Faith (Paula Patton) spirals out of control and loses her trust in God. But with the unwavering support of her family, pastor and close friends, Faith starts to find her way out of the darkness and into the light, rebuilding her life one step at a time. Finding Faith also stars Loretta Devine, Stephen Bishop, Nadine Velazquez, Demetrius Grosse, and Keith David.
LazRael Lison wrote, directed and produced the movie. Tatiana Chekhova of Summer House Pictures also produced in collaboration with Charles F. Porter of Black Bench Productions. Paula Patton of Third Eye Productions produces with Marlon D. Haynes as executive produce.
ABOUT LIFETIME
Celebrating over 40 years of entertaining audiences, Lifetime is a premier entertainment destination for women dedicated to offering the highest quality original programming spanning award-winning movies, high-quality scripted series and breakout non-fiction series. Lifetime has an impressive legacy in public affairs, bringing attention to social issues that women care about with initiatives such as the long running Stop Breast Cancer for Life and Stop Violence Against Women. Lifetime Television®, LMN®, Lifetime Real Women® and Lifetime Digital™ are part of A+E Global Media™. A+E Global Media™ (aegm.com) is a joint venture of The Walt Disney Company and The Hearst Corporation.
Please share your thoughts on these movies below. Are you curious to watch Lifetime's inspirational films, even if they still include some drama and suspense?
These look really good! I’m most excited about the first two mentioned. I remember when Alexa played the adopted like daughter with Kimberly Williams Paisley. Now it’s her being the mother with Jaeda! I love it! And who doesn’t love a good mystery, hopefully because faith is mentioned it won’t be too depressing or dark, considering it’s on Lifetime.
ReplyDeleteI read the Terri Blackstock series years ago and just loved it. I couldn’t put the trilogy books down. I can’t wait to watch this. Hopefully it’ll be a three movie series.
Yes, Alexa PenaVega & Jaeda Lily Miller are confirmed to play a mother & daughter in the upcoming Lifetime movie Before Your Father Finds Us.
ReplyDeleteAlexa PenaVega plays the role of the mother who is trying to protect her teen daughter from her violent ex-husband.
Jaeda Lily Miller plays the role of the teen daughter.
The film is set to air on Lifetime on July 26th, 2025
All of these sound so good and will be a great alternative for people who do not want to watch Christmas in July on Hallmark and Great American Family. I am a little surprised that Lifetime is getting into the faith/inspirational movies but I think it is great for those of us who are looking for that type of movies.I am curious to see how these do and since If I Run is based on a book series will they continue with it.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely surprised, as this is 1 o the last places 1 would expect to see anything to do with faith! Maybe this is the start of a positive change for the 'damsel in distress' network. -Maria
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