A new family drama is coming to your screen this weekend. It’s Not Like That, a series about love, loss, and second chances, starts streaming on January 25, 2026. The show will be available on the Wonder Project, which you can find on Amazon Prime Video. The story follows two families dealing with major life changes and finding their way forward together.
The main character is Malcolm Jeffries, played by Scott Foley. He is a pastor and a father of three children. His wife, Jenny, died last year, and he is trying to move forward. His neighbor and close friend is Lori Soto, played by Erinn Hayes. Lori was Malcolm’s wife’s best friend, and she is also going through a big change. She is now divorced and raising her two teenagers alone.
These two families have always been close, but their relationships are changing. As Malcolm and Lori both deal with being single parents, they start to see each other in a new light. This new feeling is confusing for both of them. They wonder if getting closer is a good idea or if it will hurt their already struggling families.
A Detailed Look at the Cast and Characters
The show brings together a cast of actors who will portray two interconnected families.
Scott Foley plays Malcolm, the widowed pastor. Foley is known for his roles in TV shows like Scandal and Felicity. He has described this show as the kind of television he likes.
“This is the kind of television that I’m drawn to. There’s no high concept, no one is living in an altered universe/world, it’s just good, strong storytelling with interesting and complex characters,” Foley said.
Erinn Hayes plays Lori, the recently divorced mother. Hayes has starred in Childrens Hospital and Kevin Can Wait. J.R. Ramirez plays David, Lori’s ex-husband. Ramirez is recognized from the series Manifest.
The show also focuses on the lives of the five children between the two families.
- Flora Jeffries (Leven Miranda) is Malcolm’s oldest daughter. Her mother’s death has made her question her faith, and she is not sure she wants to go to church anymore.
- Penelope Jeffries (Cassidy Paul) is the middle daughter. She is very focused on her social status at school.
- Justin Jeffries (Cary Christopher) is the youngest. He is a kind boy who deals with his feelings by cooking.
- Merritt Soto (Caleb Baumann) is Lori’s oldest son. He is very angry about his parents’ divorce and is making big, sudden changes in his life.
- Casey Soto (Liv Lindell) is Lori’s younger daughter. She decides to join the school wrestling team, which causes some drama.
What to Expect From the Story and Themes
The series was created by Ian Deitchman and Kristin Robinson, who both worked on the popular show Parenthood. Because of this, It’s Not Like That has a similar feeling. It looks closely at the messy, complicated, and loving reality of family life.
The title of the show gives a clue about its message. The creators have said the title reflects the idea that people are more complex than they seem.
“Everyone you meet is battling something you don’t know about. In other words, it’s not like that. There is always a deeper, more complex story, one that requires an extension of grace,” Deitchman and Robinson explained.
The main story follows Malcolm and Lori as they navigate their growing feelings while trying to be good parents. Their unexpected kiss in the first episode leaves them both wondering what it means for their future.
At the same time, all the children are dealing with their own struggles. Flora is wrestling with big questions about God and life after her mother’s death. Penelope is caught up in the pressures of being popular at school. Justin faces bullying and tries to hide his troubles from his dad. Merritt is full of anger and makes impulsive decisions, like quitting the wrestling team. Casey joins that same wrestling team and has to deal with rumors and jokes from other students.
Faith and Modern Life in ‘It’s Not Like That’
It’s Not Like That is different from many other TV shows because it has faith at its center. Malcolm is a pastor, and the show does not make fun of his beliefs. Instead, it tries to take his Christian life seriously. The show is distributed by Jon Erwin’s Wonder Project, which is known for creating faith-based content.
The church in the show, called Grace Community, is portrayed as a welcoming place. The show includes scenes of Malcolm giving sermons and serving his congregation. He is shown to have a close friendship with a local Muslim imam, and his church participates in community events with other faith groups. Some reviewers note that the show’s approach to faith feels more about general kindness and acceptance than deep theological discussion. Malcolm describes his calling in a simple way.
“To see people and love them, right where they are. I think that’s the best way to describe what it means to be a pastor,” Malcolm says in the show.
The show also does not avoid difficult or mature topics. The characters deal with grief, divorce, and the challenges of dating again. There are conversations about s*x and relationships. Characters sometimes drink and use strong language. The show presents these elements as part of the real world its characters live in.
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How and When to Watch the New Series
The first season of It’s Not Like That has eight episodes. The first two episodes will be released at the same time. After that, a new episode will come out each week.
Here is the full schedule for the first season:
- Episodes 1 & 2: Sunday, January 25, 2026
- Episode 3: Sunday, February 1, 2026
- Episode 4: Sunday, February 8, 2026
- Episode 5: Sunday, February 15, 2026
- Episode 6: Sunday, February 22, 2026
- Episode 7: Sunday, March 1, 2026
- Episode 8 (Season Finale): Sunday, March 8, 2026
To watch, you need a subscription to Amazon Prime Video. Once you are on Prime Video, you look for the Wonder Project channel. It’s Not Like That will be available to stream there. As of now, this release plan is for the United States. Information about when the show will be available in other countries is expected to be announced later.
The series was filmed in Atlanta, Georgia, in June 2025. The director for the series is Brad Silberling.
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