Karen Kingsbury's 'The Baxters' TV show highlights power of praying family

The Baxters TV show is now available on streaming platforms and is based on one of Christian novelist Karen Kingsbury's novel series. 

Kingsbury's Redemption has been turned into a TV series called The Baxters which is available to view on Amazon Prime. 

Touched by an Angel's former lead actress Roma Downey plays a role in the new show and is also serving as a producer.  

"Well, I was first introduced to the Karen Kingsbury bestselling books series," says Downey in an interview. "I couldn't put it down. So, I am reading 'The Baxters' and I'm thinking this could be like 'Touched by an Angel' because while it is not dealing with angels; it is dealing with a family of faith and a family who have many challenges, but things in life that bring them to their knees."

Kingsbury has published over 80 books and 12 series during her time as a Christian author. 

"This family, unlike other families, when they are brought to their knees they pray," says Downey. "I reached out to Karen Kingsbury. I said, 'Karen would you ever consider allowing me the rights to auction your book to bring it to TV?' She said you don't know this is an answer to a prayer."

People of a Christian faith are often portrayed in one of two ways when it comes to the big screen. Either they are relatively horrible and religious people or they are cheesy and perhaps made to be seen as close to perfect. The new TV series aims to portray a real faith. 

"It makes you realize how rarely we see people of faith on TV shows. How rarely we get to see a church-going family; a God-honoring family taking the time in a moment of crisis to say let's stop and pray for our daughter, and then they pray in the name of Jesus. I think people hear of a faith show and that go, 'Ugh, a lot of goodie two shoes.' I have a lovely ensemble cast, but Kathie Lee Gifford did me a solid favor and stepped in a guest starring role for me. Her daughter Cassidy Gifford is also a character in the show."

Katie Lee Gifford stars as Lilian Ashford, and her daughter took the role of Reagan Peters.

"I wanted to be part of this project because people are very hungry for something good right now," says Cassidy. "You know it's so important to come home to something and then come home to God...I hope that it just blesses people and meets them wherever they are."