What happens when an outspoken atheist gets a friend request from God? That simple concept lays the groundwork for the bold new series God Friended Me, debuting this fall on CBS. The first look of the series (below) gives a glimpse into the drama, which ties religion and spirituality to purpose and hope. There was a time not too long ago when networks were afraid to explore these topics, and I for one welcome more discussion, especially when presented fairly.
As I discussed with Living Biblically creator Patrick Walsh last year, religion is important to a large segment of the population. It’s only natural that our arts reflect that.
The show was created by Bryant Wynbrandt and Steven Lilien, the producing team behind some of television’s biggest hits including Gotham, Hawaii Five-O, and Alcatraz and stars Joe Morton (Justice League, The Good Wife), Violet Beane (The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow), Suraj Sharma (Life of Pi, Homeland) and newcomer Brandon Micheal Hall.
Here is the official synopsis. God Friended Me premieres Sunday, Sept. 30.
God Friended Me is a humorous, uplifting drama about an outspoken atheist whose life is turned upside down when he receives a friend request on social media from God and unwittingly becomes an agent of change in the lives and destinies of others around him.
Miles Finer is intelligent, hopeful and optimistic, but he doesn’t believe in God. This puts him at odds with his father, Reverend Arthur Finer, a beloved preacher at Harlem’s Trinity Church for 25 years who is stung by his son’s strong rejection of his faith. Miles feels he’s found his purpose in life hosting a podcast where he’s free to speak his mind, but that changes when he receives the ultimate friend request.
After repeated pokes by God, Miles’ curiosity takes over, and he accepts the request and follows the signs to Cara Bloom, an online journalist suffering from writer’s block. Brought together by the “God Account,” the two find themselves investigating God’s friend suggestions and inadvertently helping others in need. Joining them on their journey are Miles’s supportive sister, Ali, a doctoral psych student by day and bartender by night; and his best friend, Rakesh, a sometime hacker who helps Miles and Cara research the enigmatic account. Miles is set on getting to the bottom of what he believes is an elaborate hoax, but in the meantime he’ll play along and, in the process, change his life forever. {eoa}
Dewayne Hamby is a communications specialist and longtime journalist covering faith-based music, entertainment, books and the retail industry. He is also the editor of the White Wing Messenger, director of communications for the Church of God of Prophecy, and author of the book Gratitude Adjustment. Connect with him at dewaynehamby.com or on Twitter @dewaynehamby.
