What's next for faith-based studio Wonder Project
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Kelly Merryman Hoogstraten, chief executive officer of Wonder Project. Photo illustration: Axios Visuals. Photo: Courtesy of Billy Moon.
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.
- "I'm so excited about all the efforts that are underway to try and bring more tax incentives back to Texas, because I would love nothing more than to film many of the things that we're dreaming of and developing right here in Texas."