Amazon Makes Big Play for Faith-Based Content

January 18, 2024

Amazon Prime viewers may soon have access to “more series and films rooted in spirituality” thanks to a new partnership with the Wonder Project independent studio.

Hollywood Reporter says the effort is led by veteran producer Jon Erwin who produced The Jesus Revolution and former Netflix and YouTube exec Kelly Merryman Hoogstraten. Also among the Wonder Project’s largest shareholders and advisors will be Dallas Jenkins, creator of The Chosen.

The first project of the new collaboration will be a Prime series called House of David which chronicles the downfall of King Saul and the rise of King David.

According to an Amazon press release: “House of David follows the once-mighty King Saul as he falls victim to his own pride. A prophet prepares to overthrow him — anointing the outcast shepherd boy David as a second king. As Saul’s fury grows, David navigates love, violence and politics in the court of the very man he’s destined to replace. Two kings. One Kingdom. The outcome is war.”

Amazon hopes to build upon the growing demand for values-driven content seen in the stunning success of The Chosen which follows the life of Jesus, as seen through the eyes of his followers. Jenkins’ series is set to release its fourth season next month before releasing episodes on The Chosen app and other platforms.

Kerry Merryman Hoogstraten stated: “Our goal at The Wonder Project is to tell stories that restore faith in things worth believing in, and to do this at scale. We’ve been blown away by Amazon’s commitment to help us do this — both through the significant resources they are dedicating and their trust in us to tell these stories authentically to our audience.”

The Wonder Project was launched last year after raising a reported $75 million in seed and capital A funding from backers that include Sovereign’s Capital, Lionsgate, Powerhouse Capital, United Talent Agency (which represents Dallas Jenkins).

Photo, top: Jon Erwin, Kelly Merryman Hoogstraten, Dallas Jenkins Credit: Amazon