Latest news with #WonderProject
Wall Street Journal
3 days ago
- Business
- Wall Street Journal
This Conservative Is Doing Just Fine, Thank You, After Getting Dumped by Trump
'House of David,' a retelling of the biblical shepherd's unlikely rise, capped season one with the future king's epic takedown of Goliath and started April in Amazon's top streaming spot. David's surprise triumph was also Leonard Leo's. The conservative lawyer and co-chairman of the Federalist Society has been secretly helping bankroll Wonder Project, a Texas-based studio that produced the popular series and, Leo hopes, will follow with a string of Christian- and conservative-leaning shows so slick they can go head-to-head with other big-budget entertainment.
Axios
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
What's next for faith-based studio Wonder Project
Kelly Merryman Hoogstraten, the Austin-based CEO of Wonder Project, is on a mission to create television and movies for a global faith-based audience. Driving the news: Wonder Project premiered its debut series "House of David" on Prime Video on Feb. 27. The series tells the ascent of the biblical figure David, who becomes king of Israel. "House of David" garnered 22 million viewers in its first 17 days, according to Wonder Project, and Prime Video has renewed the show for a second season. The final episode was released April 3. We chatted with Merryman Hoogstraten about "House of David" and what's next for Wonder Project. This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity. What's been the most surprising reaction so far to the premiere of "House of David?" "This story touches everybody in some way. ... There's something that I love, that my husband loves. I have younger kids, but a lot of my friends that have older kids say, 'I just sat down and had a conversation with my son or my daughter about fear being the thief, and I wouldn't have expected to have that conversation.' There's something very special about opening up conversations." This is Wonder Project's first release. Why was "House of David" the right story to lead with? " Our founder, Jon Erwin, has wanted to tell this story. He and his father went to Jerusalem when he was 16 years old, and he felt a connection to David's story at that moment, and has always wanted to tell a story, and started writing versions of this story 10 or 15 years ago." Do you think there's been a shift in how audiences are consuming faith-based content? "I think one of the things that's happened over the course of the last few years is that there have been a number of films and TV series that have come out, whether that's ' The Chosen ' or ' Jesus Revolution ' or ' Sound of Freedom,' that gave you a sense that this is a broad story that lots of people are interested in." What's next for Wonder Project? More faith-oriented content? "Our mission is to tell courageous stories that restore faith and things worth believing. I love this idea of restoring faith, and that can be in God, but it can also be in country and in family and entrepreneurs and coaches and teachers. We produced a film last year that will be theatrically released by Amazon in Q4 this year called ' Sarah's Oil,' and it's a wonderful story about one of the first Black female millionaires — and she happens to be an 11-year-old girl. ... We also are working alongside Sony TriStar on a film with Nate Bargatze. Amazon greenlit a second series called ' It's Not Like That.'" What role does Austin play in the Wonder Project's production and growth? "I like to say that much of the faith audience lives in the heartland, and we really believe in the heartland values. I think Texas is a great place to be immersed in that.
Forbes
07-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Will There Be A ‘House Of David' Season 2?
Michael Iskander in "House of David" Season 1, Episode 8. The hit Prime Video biblical series House of David wrapped up its first season with Episode 8 last week. Is another season on the way? Created by Jon Erwin and directed by Erwin, Jon Gunn, Alexandra La Roche and Michael Nankin, House of David debuted on Prime Video on Feb. 27 with a three-episode premiere. The official summary for the series reads, 'House of David tells the story of the ascent of the biblical figure, David, who eventually becomes the most renowned and celebrated king of Israel. The series follows the once-mighty King Saul as he falls victim to his own pride. At the direction of God, the prophet Samuel anoints an unlikely, outcast teenager as the new king. 'As Saul loses his power over his kingdom, David finds himself on a journey to discover and fulfill his destiny, navigating love, loss, and violence in the court of the very man he's destined to replace. As one leader falls, another must rise.' House of David stars Michael Iskander as David, Ali Suliman as King Saul, Stephen Lang as Samuel and Ayelet Zurer as Queen Ahinoman. With the success of the series, viewers are likely wondering if there will be a House of David Season 2. Luckily Prime Video didn't wait until the House of David Season 1 finale to give fans their answer. In a press release issued by Prime Video on March 18, Amazon MGM Studios Head of Television Vernon Sanders said, 'Jon Erwin and Jon Gunn's compelling creative vision has solidified our belief in the series and we are excited to deliver more of the story to our customers. We look forward to a continued journey with Wonder Project as we further expand our slate to encompass faith-based series.' Erwin and Gunn also expressed their gratitude in the Prime Video press release, saying, 'We are humbled by the extraordinary reaction this show has earned from the faith audience worldwide. Thanks to them and our partners at Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, Wonder Project will bring more of the Bible and this epic saga to a global audience. Congratulations to our incredible cast and crew.' Per Prime Video, House of David had 22 million viewers in its first 17 days on the streaming platform following the three-episode premiere of the Feb. 27 premiere of the series. As of this publication, House of David is the No. 2 most-watch series on Prime Video in the U.S. behind the streamer's new series The Bondsman starring Kevin Bacon and ahead of Alan Ritchson's Reacher Season 3 which is No. 3. House of David Season 1 earned a 71% 'fresh' rating from Rotten Tomatoes critics based on seven reviews, while audiences gave the series a 90% 'fresh' score based on 250-plus verified user ratings. While the release date for House of David is yet to be announced, Jon Erwin and Jon Gunn are already revealing details of what fans can expect with Season 2, starting with the place in time it will pick up after Season 1. 'We pick up literally the very second we leave off from Season 1,' Gunn told Variety. "The first episode of Season 2 will be in the entirety of that battle.' Erwin also detailed what's ahead for the title character. "In Season 2, David becomes the warrior, and learns to be careful what you wish for. Destiny comes at a cost,' Erwin explained to Variety. 'Fame and success are complex things to navigate, and as this character continues his rise, all those screws of intensity and drama tighten as the truth comes closer and closer to this character and a truth that threatens to unravel everything. Season 1 really does set up Season 2, and I think all the intention just heightens.' If the series' creatives get their way, there will be much more House of David after Season 2. 'Six seasons would be amazing,' Erwin told Variety. All eight episodes of House of David are streaming exclusively on Prime Video.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Prime Video's hit new historical drama will continue its reign for another season as House of David gets renewed
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. House of David has been renewed for a second season on Prime Video. The historical drama brought in 22 million viewers in its first 17 days. Season 2 will follow David's rise to the throne after his battle with Goliath. Prime Video has renewed the historical drama House of David for a second season ahead of its series finale on April 3. House of David, which launched with three episodes on February 27, attracted 22 million viewers in its first 17 days of streaming and claimed the second spot in Prime Video's top 10 shows list, falling behind Reacher season 3. With a growing library of historical dramas, Prime Video is becoming one of the best streaming services for religious TV shows. Its sprawling library has the likes of The Chosen, a hugely successful series that dramatizes the life of Jesus Christ. With a 60% Rotten Tomatoes score from the critics, House of David doesn't make it onto our best Prime Video shows list. However, it's clearly been a huge hit among audience given its staggering results. Show creators Jon Erwin and Jon Gunn said of the renewal: 'We are humbled by the extraordinary reaction this show has earned from the faith audience worldwide. Thanks to them and our partners at Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, Wonder Project will bring more of the Bible and this epic saga to a global audience. Congratulations to our incredible cast and crew.' The biblical epic tells the story of David (Michael Iskander), a teenage outcast who is anointed the new king of Israel as the once-mighty King Saul (Ali Suliman) falls victim to his own pride and begins to lose power. House of David season 2 follows David's rise to the throne in the aftermath of his battle with Goliath (Martyn Ford). As he navigates palace politics, his family's jealousy and a growing romance, David learns what it means to become a great leader. Vernon Sanders, head of television at Amazon MGM Studios shared: 'Jon Erwin and Jon Gunn's compelling creative vision has solidified our belief in the series and we are excited to deliver more of the story to our customers. We look forward to a continued journey with Wonder Project as we further expand our slate to encompass faith-based series.' The Wheel of Time season 3 is Prime Video's #2 show – here are 3 more fantasy series with over 85% on Rotten Tomatoes I'm rewatching We Are Newcastle United on Prime Video after my club's exhilarating Carabao Cup win 5 new Prime Video movies with over 90% on Rotten Tomatoes I think you should stream in March
