FORT WORTH, Texas — Before James Stewart delivered one of cinema’s most beloved performances about the power of hope in “It’s a Wonderful Life,” he had endured the horrors of World War II, wrestled with self-doubt and questioned whether he could ever return to the life he once knew.
Ahead of the film’s Nov. 6. release, the cast of “Jimmy,” a biographical drama exploring the legendary actor’s military service and its aftermath, reflected on how Stewart’s story offers a reminder that faith doesn’t necessarily spare people from suffering, but can sustain them through it and give their pain a greater purpose.
In interviews with The Christian Post at Papaian Studios, stars KJ Apa, Neal McDonough, Sarah Drew, Jen Lilley, Kara Killmer, Christopher McDonald and Rob Riggle reflected on the film’s themes of faith, sacrifice, redemption and the importance of living with integrity rather than pursuing worldly success.
Apa, the 29-year-old “Riverdale” and “I Still Believe” actor who portrays Stewart, the experience prompted reflection on his own faith and moments when he has turned to God in desperation.
“Faith is everything,” Apa told CP. “To me, it’s part of being human.”
One of the film’s most meaningful moments, he said, occurs when Stewart enters a church, uncertain of what to do, and turns to Scripture for guidance.
“He’s basically … he doesn’t know what to do, and it’s an important moment for him, too, and for the audience, because he’s been painted out to be this god, yet he’s suffering and has no idea what to do in this scenario,” Apa said. “I’ve certainly been there in my life where I’ve been on my knees, like, begging for God to help me with something, something that I can’t do myself.”
Directed by Aaron Burns, “Jimmy” follows Stewart’s decision to leave Hollywood at the height of his career to serve in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. Already an Academy Award winner for “The Philadelphia Story,” Stewart flew 20 combat missions over Europe and rose to the rank of colonel during the war.
The film explores the emotional toll of his service and his struggle to return to Hollywood, culminating in his starring role in Frank Capra’s 1946 classic “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
Apa said Stewart’s decision to put his career aside and serve his country offers a timely example of integrity.
“I hope that this movie and this character can inspire everyone, not just young men, but everyone, to do the right thing, and to trust themselves doing it,” he said. “It’s OK to have doubt, but … know that you’re doing something because you chose to do it, and stand by that choice. It’s easier said than done.”
Max Casella, who portrays Capra, said Stewart’s appeal was rooted in his ability to embody both human weakness and extraordinary moral character.
“George Bailey is everyman. He’s a decent, flawed man, and Jimmy Stewart is just the walking embodiment of, like, the best of us,” Casella told CP. “Just feet firmly planted on earth, but very noble character.”
Neal McDonough, who portrays Stewart’s father, Alexander Stewart, said the story resonated with his own upbringing and commitment to putting faith and family ahead of his Hollywood career. The seasoned actor said his portrayal was inspired by his father, an Irish immigrant who arrived in the United States in 1947 and immediately sought to join the military.
“He walked straight into the Army office and said, ‘Make me an American,'” McDonough recalled.
The “Zero A.D.” actor said his father instilled patriotism and duty in his six children and hoped McDonough would attend West Point. Instead, he pursued athletics and theater. And when McDonough read the screenplay, he was stunned by the similarities between his relationship with his father and Stewart’s relationship with Alexander.
“The parallels between Alexander and Frank, my dad, Jimmy and myself are so similar,” he said, adding that Stewart’s willingness to put his country ahead of his interests offers a much-needed example of heroism.
“He cared more about the country. He cared more about his family. Cared more about doing the right thing than himself,” McDonough said. “That’s why Jimmy Stewart is such an incredible story nowadays, where it’s hard to find heroes.”
“Ten or 11 years ago, when I gave up drinking, when I got closer to God, and I started, ‘It’s OK, let’s make projects that give glory to Him and kind of do the right things as a dad and as a husband,’ all those things … it just made things a lot clearer for me as to what I wanted to do as an actor and as a producer,” he continued.
McDonough said he and his wife, Ruvé, have produced numerous films in recent years, guided by their desire to create entertainment reflecting their values.
“It’s all because we wanted to do things that give Him glory, and it’s pretty simple,” he said.
Stewart’s daughter, Kelly Stewart Harcourt, serves as executive producer on “Jimmy” and told CP that while her father would never have made a film about himself, “he would approve” of the Papaian Studios adaptation.
Women play a pivotal role in “Jimmy”; the film dramatizes how women in the beloved actor’s life offered encouragement and stability as he navigated the pressures of Hollywood, the devastation of war and his search for purpose.
Kara Killmer, who portrays Lady Julia, an aristocrat who supports Allied service members during the war, shared how the film prompted a deeper examination of Scripture. The Fort Worth native said she was struck by Psalm 91, which Stewart’s father encouraged him to read during the war.
The passage speaks of God’s protection and deliverance, promises Killmer revealed she struggled to reconcile with the devastating losses Stewart witnessed as a military commander.
“I really struggled with that while we were filming,” she told CP. “I really pored over that because I thought, this is so hard for somebody who sees so many people that he’s in charge of fall to their deaths. So how do you reconcile that?”
Her study led her to reflect on the distinction between the length of a person’s life and the meaning of the days they are given.
“It’s not about the quantity of the days that you live; it’s about the quality of the days that you have,” she said. “Jimmy Stewart’s example is somebody who was striving to make the quality of his days count and mean something.”
Jen Lilley, who portrays Gloria Stewart, whom Stewart married in 1949, said the film demonstrates that even the most successful people can experience loneliness and suffering.
“I think there’s always hope,” the Christian actress told CP. “It’s human nature to want to glamorize somebody else’s life or story and think that the grass is greener on the other side, or idealize what their life must be like.”
“That’s one thing I love about this movie so much, is that he did win an Academy Award, and he was so famous, and you see him just falling apart. He wanted family. He wanted something that mattered, and Gloria got to be that landing pad.”
Lilley said Stewart’s triumphs and struggles throughout his life reflect the biblical promise that suffering does not place anyone beyond God’s reach.
“Life is hard, but there’s always hope,” she said. “There’s no pit so deep that you could ever find yourself in that God’s love can’t find you still. God is the ultimate weaver of redeeming stories. We’re very good at making a mess of our lives, but God is so good at taking all the threads and making it a beautiful tapestry.”
It was Stewart’s suffering, she added, that gave his portrayal of George Bailey an authenticity that continues to resonate with audiences.
“There’s no George Bailey … ‘It’s a Wonderful Life,’ to me, would not have mattered if it wasn’t for the honesty and the background of what Jimmy was struggling with,” she said. “You’ll never watch it the same.”
Sarah Drew, who portrays Hollywood gossip columnist Hedda Hopper, echoed those sentiments, sharing how suffering is part of spiritual growth.
“I think the story of our lives is holding hope and pain together in both of our palms at all times,” the “Grey’s Anatomy” actress told CP. “We don’t grow. Our hearts don’t expand. We don’t learn what we’re made of until we’ve suffered, and we don’t know how empathetic we can be until we’ve gone through something.”
Drew said Stewart’s story also challenges Hollywood’s tendency to measure success through awards and fame, adding, He really wants to be a good man of service. He wants to serve in the world.”
“That wasn’t enough, because we all know in this industry, that stuff actually doesn’t matter. None of that matters, right? The stuff that matters is, who are you? Who are you a friend to? How do you show up for people? Who are you when the cameras aren’t rolling?”
Christopher McDonald, who portrays Lionel Barrymore, said the film’s message has influenced his understanding of a meaningful life.
“The message is: Be good, be kind, be generous, send love to the people that you care about around you,” he said. “That’s a good way to live.”
The Timothy T. Day Foundation and Lockheed Martin have partnered to provide free screenings of “Jimmy” at military bases worldwide beginning Nov. 6, when the film opens in theaters through Fathom Entertainment. The initiative honors Stewart’s World War II service and the sacrifices of contemporary service members and their families.
Marine Corps veteran Rob Riggle, who portrays Stewart’s commanding officer, Col. Terrill, emphasized the importance of portraying veterans as complex individuals whose lives are not solely defined by wartime trauma.
While some service members experience post-traumatic stress, Riggle said society has made progress in recognizing those struggles and providing support.
“Now, though, I feel we’ve turned a corner as a society and a military, and just individuals,” he said. “We can identify it, we can talk about it, and we can say, ‘Hey, let’s get some resources to help with that.'”
“Everybody processes things a little different way,” he said. “The majority of veterans, when their service is complete, they repurpose themselves and find a new place to apply themselves. And there’s a lot of success stories out there.”
“Jimmy” also stars Jemma Donovan and Julian Works and was produced with the involvement of Fort Worth-based Papaian Studios, founded by executive producer Hien Papaian.
Leah M. Klett is a reporter for The Christian Post. She can be reached at: [email protected]
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