Scott Foley stars in Prime Video’s ‘It’s Not Like That,’ a new family drama streaming now

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• 🔥 Quick Facts
• What “It’s Not Like That” Is Really About
• The Adult Dynamic: Slow-Burn Romance With Substance
• Where Young Actors Elevate the Material
• Casting Choices Reflect Bold Storytelling
• How Faith-Based Drama Evolved: The “It’s Not Like That” Model
• Audience Reception and Critical Consensus
• Scott Foley’s Career Path to “Malcolm Jeffries”
• What Happens Between “Then” and “Now”: Production Timeline
• What Comes Next: Will There Be a Season 2?
• Is “It’s Not Like That” Worth Your Time in May 2026?
• Where Does “It’s Not Like That” Fit in Streaming Drama’s Landscape?
  • Sources

Scott Foley leads Prime Video’s much-anticipated faith-based family drama “It’s Not Like That,” which premiered all 8 episodes on May 15, 2026. The series pairs the “Scandal” alum with Erinn Hayes in a slow-burn romantic drama exploring grief, single parenthood, and unexpected second chances in Atlanta. Created by Ian Deitchman and Kristin Robinson, the show marks Prime Video’s strategic expansion into prestige faith-based drama following hits like “The Chosen” and “House of David.”

What “It’s Not Like That” Is Really About

“It’s Not Like That” centers on Malcolm Jeffries, a recently widowed pastor navigating single parenthood with three children – teenage Flora, middle schooler Penelope, and Justin, a culinary-minded younger son. Across the street lives Lori Soto, Malcolm’s late wife’s best friend, who is newly divorced after her husband David filed for separation. Both families are grappling with seismic life changes when the school year begins, and what unfolds is not a typical feel-good family show – it’s a nuanced exploration of how children and adults process loss, anger, and the possibility of joy on the other side of devastation.

The series deliberately avoids sentimentality. Variety’s Aramide Tinubu praised the show for being “neither preachy nor exclusionary,” noting that Christianity serves as a guiding light for characters without forcing beliefs on audiences. This distinction is crucial: unlike faith-based fare that leans heavily into religiosity, this series treats faith as context, not gospel propaganda.

The Adult Dynamic: Slow-Burn Romance With Substance

Foley and Hayes demonstrate exceptional chemistry in their central roles. Foley’s Malcolm is steady and measured – a man trained in pastoral care who becomes Lori’s emotional anchor as she navigates post-divorce chaos. Hayes’ Lori is messier, more emotionally volatile, and provides the counterbalance Malcolm needs. As they lean on each other for grief counseling and parenting advice, romantic tension builds naturally rather than being manufactured for drama.

Critics highlighted this restraint. One IMDb reviewer called it a “subtlety that creates an unforgettable slow-burn romance,” while another noted the show avoids the corny melodrama typical of network dramas. The will-they-won’t-they dynamic works precisely because it’s grounded in genuine emotional vulnerability rather than contrived plot mechanics. By the season finale, viewers find themselves genuinely invested in whether Malcolm and Lori find their way to each other.

Where Young Actors Elevate the Material

While the adult leads anchor the narrative, the ensemble young cast delivers work that earned consistent praise. Leven Miranda’s Flora, the eldest Jeffries daughter, carries the weight of being a pastor’s kid grieving her mother while navigating teenage angst and expectation. Cassidy Paul’s Penelope finds herself estranged from her lifelong best friend Casey Soto (played by Liv Lindell) – a fractured bond the show explores with surprising depth. Caleb Baumann’s Merritt, the divorced Sotos’ teenage son, exhibits destructive coping mechanisms rooted in anger and pain that never feel performative.

Cary Christopher’s Justin, the youngest Jeffries, is bullied at school but hides it from his father to avoid adding to his grief. This storyline exemplifies the show’s sophistication: it doesn’t offer easy resolutions. Malcolm respects Justin’s autonomy rather than helicoptering, and the emotional tension between a parent wanting to protect their child and that child’s need for independence feels authentic to contemporary parenting dynamics.

Casting Choices Reflect Bold Storytelling

Character	Actor	Key Storyline Context
Malcolm Jeffries	Scott Foley	Recently widowed pastor, father of 3, emotional anchor
Lori Soto	Erinn Hayes	Newly divorced, mother of 2, navigates romantic feelings
David Soto	J.R. Ramirez	Recovering alcoholic, Lori’s estranged spouse, complications
Flora Jeffries	Leven Miranda	Eldest daughter grieving mother, preacher’s kid pressure
Merritt Soto	Caleb Baumann	High school wrestler dealing with destructive anger aftermath of divorce
Penelope Jeffries	Cassidy Paul	Middle schooler, fractured friendship with Casey

Ramirez’s David Soto particularly stands out – a character who could have been a cardboard villain but instead becomes a complex recovering alcoholic trying to be present for his children while managing his own demons. The show treats his addiction narrative seriously without melodrama. One reviewer noted the “great cast chemistry” and “realistic flaws in the characters, which prevents the plot from turning corny.” This ensemble approach prevents any single character from dominating narrative focus in formulaic ways.

How Faith-Based Drama Evolved: The “It’s Not Like That” Model

Variety’s review identified a crucial shift in Prime Video’s faith-based strategy. The show succeeds where many faith-based productions fail: it uses Christianity as context, not conversion strategy. Malcolm is a pastor, yes, but his faith is tested. Flora refuses to attend church, and Malcolm doesn’t force her. Instead, she’s allowed to pilot her own relationship with God. One of Malcolm’s best friends is an Imam; discussions of alcohol, sex, and interfaith relationships happen naturally.

This represents a sophistication absent from Hallmark-style or GAF (Great American Family) productions. Critics noted the show isn’t “7th Heaven,” a reference to the late-90s family drama that was often criticized for its heavy-handed moralizing. Here, worldliness coexists with faith. Ambiguity is permitted. Characters aren’t archetypes – they’re people with contradictions, doubts, and growth trajectories that span beyond single-episode arcs.

Audience Reception and Critical Consensus

IMDb reviews reveal polarized but thoughtful engagement. One user praised the show as “a breath of fresh air” that treats real-life trauma with gravity while maintaining hope. Another called it unrealistic, critiquing its production values and writing as “Great American Family network-adjacent.” The diversity of opinion reflects the show’s genuine originality – it doesn’t fit neatly into existing categories, creating defensible disagreement among audiences.

A 73-year-old male reviewer noted the show made him “feel emotion, plain and simple, with excellent writing that captures family drama expertly.” Multiple reviews praised the writing explicitly, suggesting Deitchman and Robinson crafted material that resonates across age demographics. One fan called it her “sanctuary” – escapism with emotional depth rather than cheap thrills. This emotional investment indicates the show has succeeded in its central aim: making viewers care about these families’ futures.

Scott Foley’s Career Path to “Malcolm Jeffries”

Foley, born July 15, 1972, has carved a distinctive career spanning three decades of television and film. “Felicity” (1998-2002) established him as television-ready talent; “Scream 3” (2000) introduced him to broader audiences as Roman Bridger. But his career trajectory changed dramatically when Shonda Rhimes cast him as Jake Ballard on “Scandal” (2013-2018), where Foley became a series regular after guest appearances on “Grey’s Anatomy.” The “Scandal” stint lasted five seasons, establishing him as a reliable dramatic lead.

“The Unit” (2006-2009) showcased his ability to anchor ensemble action series. More recently, Foley appeared on “The Resident” and other premium cable productions. “It’s Not Like That” represents a calibrated choice: a lead role in prestige drama without the franchise baggage or action-heavy requirements of previous projects. Malcolm Jeffries asks Foley to sustain emotional vulnerability across eight episodes – deeper character work than his “Scandal” run permitted.

What Happens Between “Then” and “Now”: Production Timeline

Production credits reveal Brad Silberling (known for “Silver Linings Playbook” and “Dickinson”) as executive producer. Garrett Lerner serves as showrunner alongside Deitchman and Robinson, suggesting editorial stability across the eight-episode season. Jon Erwin (of faith-focused production Kingdom Story Company) brings “The Chosen” expertise to production design and thematic elements. This isn’t a scrappy indie production – it’s a fully resourced Amazon MGM Studios endeavor with recognizable talent on both sides of the camera.

Filming in Atlanta grounds the story in a specific geography. Grace Community Church isn’t a generic set – Atlanta’s church culture and suburban dynamics informing the narrative. The first-day-of-school motif that opens the season provides temporal structure familiar to families but often overlooked in drama. This specificity matters: it prevents the show from feeling universal in an abstract way and instead feels universal in consequence.

What Comes Next: Will There Be a Season 2?

As of May 19, 2026, Amazon has not announced a second season renewal. However, viewership data emerging from the May 15 premiere will likely determine Prime Video’s commitment. This show’s audience isn’t casual; reviews show genuine investment in character arcs extending beyond the season-one finale. One finale episode (“Hope And Peace And Joy And Love”) carries a 9.3/10 rating on IMDb, indicating strong emotional payoff that could drive series-continuation campaigns.

The narrative leaves the Malcolm-Lori romance with “one big question unanswered” per official description – a deliberate cliffhanger designed to extend viewer engagement and justify renewal conversations. If Prime Video rolls out comparable faith-based prestige dramas, “It’s Not Like That” could anchor that strategy through multiple seasons.

Is “It’s Not Like That” Worth Your Time in May 2026?

For adult viewers seeking sophisticated family drama: absolutely. The show delivers grief, comedy, romance, and philosophical questioning without sentimentality or preachiness. For faith-curious audiences: the series models how spirituality operates in real families – imperfectly, uncertainly, but sincerely. For people navigating single parenthood, divorce, or loss: the show offers representation often absent from prestige television. For viewers exhausted by formulaic network dramas: this is material crafted by creators who trust audiences to sit with complexity.

Potential concerns: some may find the pacing slow (intentional and part of the appeal). Others may critique production values as slightly above-network but below premium-cable polish. The faith component, while thoughtfully integrated, may feel uncomfortable for secular audiences unfamiliar with church culture. But these are features, not bugs – they reflect the show’s commitment to specificity and authenticity over broad appeal.

Where Does “It’s Not Like That” Fit in Streaming Drama’s Landscape?

May 2026 saw multiple significant releases: “Citadel” season 2, “Good Omens” season 3, and “Off Campus” launched alongside “It’s Not Like That.” Yet this show operates in a different register. “Citadel” prioritizes spectacle; “Good Omens” trades in fantasy whimsy. “It’s Not Like That” offers something increasingly rare in streaming: intimate character study that respects viewer intelligence and patience. This positioning makes it counter-programming – a deliberate choice by Amazon to expand Prime Video’s prestige drama footprint beyond action, horror, and sci-fi.

In the faith-based drama ecosystem, it stands alongside “The Chosen” as serious television that doesn’t use faith as camouflage for other storytelling failures. In the broader family-drama landscape, it compares favorably to “Never Have I Ever,” “Ginny & Georgia,” and “Atypical” – all shows that treat family as complex social structures rather than sitcom premises.

Sources

• Variety – Aramide Tinubu’s May 15, 2026 review provided critical analysis of thematic sophistication and cast chemistry
• IMDb – User reviews, ratings, and episode data documented audience reception and critical consensus across demographics
• Wikipedia & Amazon MGM Studios – Production credits, cast information, and official descriptions verified through multiple sources
• Scott Foley Biography – Career history spanning Felicity, Scandal, The Unit, and film work like Scream 3
• Prime Video Official – Release date confirmation (May 15, 2026) and streaming availability