Review: Scott Foley Gets Emotional in It’s Not Like That — And It’s Not the Romance You Expect

Scott Foley has spent much of his career playing the reliable romantic lead or the calculated operative, but in Amazon Prime Video’s It’s Not Like That, he pivots toward something far more fragile. Slated for a mid-May release, the eight-episode series casts Foley back in the binge-worthy spotlight, as Pastor Malcolm Jeffries, a widowed father struggling with the profound loss of his wife while raising three teenagers.

The Intersection of Grief and Hope

The series opens a year after the tragedy, finding Malcolm at a delicate crossroads as he returns to full-time preaching at his church that had one-time been led by his mentor and father-in-law. No pressure, there. Adding a layer of complexity to his journey is his neighbor, Lori Soto (played by Erinn Hayes), a PR executive, navigating her own version of death following her recent divorce from David (J.R. Ramirez).

On paper, the setup of two broken families leaning on each other across a shared driveway smells like a predictable "blended family" trope. Already close from years of shared Sunday dinners and saccharin sweet memories — the two families lean on one another for support. No doubt, a natural bond is destined to form. But if you think you’ve seen this film before as a "yours, mine, and ours" rom-com, think again. 

Though tempting as it may seem, It’s Not Like That is not the foregone conclusion that the premise suggests. The series resists the easy comfort of a "happily ever after" plot twist, choosing instead to sit in the poignant, often messy reality of two families whose histories are so intertwined that a new romantic bond feels as much like a complication as it does a cure. Instead, it is very much a touching exploration of how two families rebuild in the wake of their own personal and shared tragedies, even leaning into darker themes of addiction, self-harm, and mental health, along the way.

Penelope (Cassidy Paul), Malcolm (Scott Foley), Justin (Cary Christopher) Credit: Steve Dietl/Prime Copyright: © Amazon Content Services LLC

A Supernatural Touch

The show also takes a familiar, though effective, approach by incorporating Malcolm’s deceased wife, Jenny (Tyne Rushing), as an apparition, of sorts. Her presence serves as a reminder of her enduring impact on the lives she’s touched, providing carefully placed moments of reflection that help the characters fill the holes in their present-day lives. 

She is attention’s sweet center and clearly the glue that held her friends and family together.

While this supernatural element feels reminiscent of pre-streaming series like 1999’s Providence or 2025’s more recent Suits L.A., it allows the characters to confront their sorrow directly while keeping Jenny’s memory and profound impact on them alive.

The Heart of the Story: The Children

What truly stands out as the series evolves is the exploration of the children’s angst. Whether dealing with death or divorce, the teenagers in both families must navigate an emotional landscape that ebbs and flows. The young actors—specifically Leven Miranda as Malcolm’s oldest daughter, Flora, and Caleb Baumann as Lori and David’s son, Merritt — deliver surprisingly realistic and deeply relatable performances.

The series highlights the myriad of ways grief manifests uniquely in each child, from overachieving to shifts in social circles, as well as their search for identity and even a teetering faith, amidst the PK  (aka “Pastor’s Kid") stereotypes that prevail for the Jeffries brood, specifically, providing the series’ unexpected emotional core in its debut season.

Authentic Humanity

While It’s Not Like That does not shy away from Malcolm’s faith—incorporating prayer and scripture in perfectly placed moments — it never sugarcoats his humanity, either. The show is refreshingly true-to-life, capturing the raw intensity of loss without falling into the "faith-based" trap of easy answers and unwavering optimism.

Supported by a diverse cast — that is neither ignored nor specifically called out for its uniqueness, naturally reflecting the modern community in which it is set, the series is a compelling watch for anyone who understands the complexities of healing and the need to move forward, despite feeling stuck. 

Though the series occasionally falls into predictable character arcs for its support cast, at times, its sincerity in telling the dynamic story of loss makes it a standout entry in the family drama genre.

Also starring Liv Lindell, Cassidy Paul, and Cary Christopher, It’s Not Like That premieres May 15 on Prime Video.