Scott Foley new show arrives at a pivotal moment in the actor’s career, placing him in the lead of a heartfelt television drama that centers on family, loss, faith, and the fragile process of starting over. Titled It’s Not Like That, the series premieres in the United States on January 25, 2026, and positions Foley as the emotional anchor of a story built on realism rather than spectacle.
The project marks one of his most grounded and intimate roles in years. Instead of political intrigue or fast-paced crime plots, this series focuses on ordinary people facing extraordinary emotional challenges. The result is a character-driven drama designed for viewers who value sincerity, connection, and thoughtful storytelling.
A Story Rooted in Real Life Struggles
At the center of Scott Foley’s new show is Malcolm, a widowed pastor raising three children while trying to keep his faith, family, and sense of purpose intact. The death of his wife has left a visible gap in the household, and every episode reflects the quiet ways grief reshapes daily routines.
Malcolm is not portrayed as a flawless spiritual leader. He is a father who forgets school events, struggles with patience, and questions whether he is truly helping his children heal. The church community looks to him for guidance, yet he privately wrestles with doubt and exhaustion.
This contrast between public strength and private vulnerability defines the emotional core of the series.
The Role of Lori and the Second Family Dynamic
Lori, a recently divorced mother of two teenagers, reenters Malcolm’s life after years of separation. Their connection is not framed as instant romance. Instead, it unfolds slowly, complicated by shared history, emotional baggage, and the realities of parenting adolescents.
Her presence introduces:
- A second household dealing with its own form of loss
- Teenagers struggling with loyalty, anger, and confusion
- The challenge of blending families without erasing the past
The show treats this dynamic with restraint. Awkward silences, cautious conversations, and small gestures carry as much weight as dramatic confrontations.
Why the Title Matters
It’s Not Like That reflects the way assumptions often fail when applied to real emotional pain. Grief does not follow a predictable timeline. Faith does not remove doubt. Love does not erase memory.
The title becomes a quiet reminder throughout the season that life rarely fits simple explanations. Each character learns that healing cannot be rushed and that relationships require patience, honesty, and courage.
Episode Structure and Emotional Progression
The eight-episode season follows a carefully designed emotional arc.
Early Episodes: Adjustment and Survival
The opening chapters focus on routine. School drop-offs, church meetings, late-night homework sessions, and empty chairs at the dinner table establish the rhythm of a household trying to function after loss.
Middle Episodes: Connection and Conflict
As Malcolm and Lori spend more time together, their children react in different ways. Some seek comfort. Others resist any change that might threaten the memory of what once was.
Later Episodes: Choice and Acceptance
The final portion of the season explores whether both families can accept the possibility of a shared future without feeling that they are betraying their past.
Each episode stands on its own while contributing to a larger emotional journey.
Scott Foley’s Performance as Malcolm
Foley’s portrayal relies on subtlety. His character often listens more than he speaks. Facial expressions, pauses, and body language communicate the weight of responsibility and unresolved sorrow.
Key aspects of his performance include:
- A calm exterior masking emotional fatigue
- Moments of quiet humor that reveal warmth
- Sudden flashes of frustration that feel painfully human
Rather than delivering dramatic monologues, Foley allows the character’s internal conflict to surface through everyday interactions. This approach makes Malcolm relatable to parents, widowers, and anyone who has faced major life transitions.
Supporting Cast and Family Realism
The children in the series are not background figures. Each has a distinct personality and reaction to their mother’s absence and their father’s evolving life.
One child clings to routine. Another rebels. A third retreats into silence. These varied responses create believable family tension and avoid one-dimensional portrayals.
Lori’s teenagers bring their own challenges. Divorce has reshaped their view of stability, and they are wary of new attachments. Their skepticism adds emotional stakes to every interaction between the adults.
Visual Tone and Direction
The series adopts a warm but restrained visual style. Natural lighting, modest interiors, and familiar suburban settings create an atmosphere that feels lived-in rather than staged.
Scenes often unfold in kitchens, living rooms, school hallways, and church offices. These everyday locations reinforce the idea that the story belongs to ordinary people rather than larger-than-life heroes.
Faith as Part of the Story, Not a Shortcut
Religion plays an important role, but it is not presented as a simple solution. Malcolm’s position as a pastor adds complexity rather than certainty.
He delivers sermons about hope while privately struggling to believe his own words. This tension gives the show emotional depth and prevents it from becoming idealized or simplistic.
The series portrays faith as a source of comfort, doubt, community, and conflict—all at once.
Why This Project Stands Out in 2026 Television
In a landscape filled with high-budget franchises and fast-paced thrillers, Scott Foley’s new show offers a different experience.
It stands out because it:
- Prioritizes conversation over confrontation
- Values emotional truth over shock value
- Focuses on family life across generations
- Treats healing as a process, not an event
This approach appeals to viewers seeking stories that mirror real experiences and encourage reflection.
Audience Appeal Across Age Groups
The show speaks to multiple demographics.
Parents recognize the pressure of balancing work, children, and emotional recovery. Teenagers see characters who reflect their confusion and resistance to change. Older viewers connect with themes of memory, resilience, and the passage of time.
The series is structured so that no single age group dominates the narrative. Every perspective matters.
Career Significance for Scott Foley
For Foley, this role represents a return to deeply personal storytelling. While he remains active in various television projects, It’s Not Like That places him at the emotional center of a narrative that depends entirely on character development.
The role allows him to explore:
- Quiet leadership
- Parental vulnerability
- Romantic hesitation
- Spiritual uncertainty
These layers add complexity and showcase a mature stage of his acting career.
Cultural Timing and Viewer Interest
Interest in Scott Foley new show has grown as audiences increasingly look for content that balances emotional honesty with hopeful themes. The series arrives at a time when many viewers gravitate toward stories about connection, recovery, and family resilience.
Its focus on everyday struggles gives it relevance beyond entertainment. The characters’ experiences mirror real conversations happening in homes across the country.
Themes That Shape the Series
Several core ideas run through every episode:
Grief
Not as a single event, but as an ongoing presence that shapes decisions and relationships.
Parenting
Shown as imperfect, demanding, and deeply meaningful.
Community
The church and school environments illustrate how support systems both help and complicate healing.
Love
Portrayed as cautious, patient, and respectful of the past.
The Season’s Emotional Payoff
Without relying on dramatic twists, the season builds toward moments of quiet resolution. A family dinner where laughter returns. A difficult conversation that finally happens. A child who begins to open up.
These small victories carry emotional weight because the audience has witnessed the struggle behind them.
Why the Title Characterizes the Entire Story
The phrase It’s Not Like That echoes throughout the series in different forms. It reflects misunderstandings, assumptions, and the gap between how things look and how they feel.
A relationship is not simply about romance. Faith is not simply about certainty. Healing is not simply about time.
The title becomes a lens through which every character’s journey is understood.
Final Thoughts
Scott Foley new show It’s Not Like That offers a deeply human story about rebuilding life after loss. Through restrained performances, realistic family dynamics, and emotionally grounded writing, the series delivers a portrait of resilience that feels both intimate and universal.
Rather than chasing spectacle, it chooses sincerity. Rather than rushing resolution, it honors the slow, uneven path of healing. For viewers seeking meaningful drama rooted in everyday experience, this series stands as one of the most emotionally resonant television offerings of early 2026.