TV with soul
New ABC drama follows a man on a mission
Between tragic weather events, political tension and social unrest, it seems as if humanity is losing its way. While it may appear that bad news is everywhere, however, stories of compassion and hope are all around us. There are people devoted to making the world a better place, and a new fantasy drama follows a man on a journey to do just that.
Jason Ritter (“Joan of Arcadia”) stars as Kevin Finn, a once selfish, materialistic young man on a mission to save humanity by performing acts of kindness and selflessness under the guidance of an unusual celestial being in “Kevin (Probably) Saves the World,” airing Tuesday, Nov. 14, on ABC.
After an encounter with a meteorite that crash lands near his family home, Kevin meets Yvette (Kimberly Hébert Gregory, “Vice Principals”), the aforementioned celestial being. She informs him that she’s here to guide and protect him as he saves humanity. Kevin is the only one who can see or hear Yvette, which can be awkward when someone catches him talking to her.
Of course, the plot may sound farfetched to the average TV viewer, but the show has real heart. In a promo for the series, Gregory explains the meaning behind the drama’s unconventional premise.
“It’s about making ourselves better, and reaching out and making the world better,” the actress said.
That’s exactly what Kevin is tasked with doing, and he has an uphill climb. After hitting rock bottom, he returns to his childhood home to live with his widowed twin sister, Amy (JoAnna Garcia Swisher, “Once Upon a Time”), and her teenage daughter, Reese (Chloe East, “True Blood”). In the beginning, Kevin’s relationship with Reese is strained at best, but Amy encourages her daughter to give him a chance.
While under Yvette’s tutelage, Kevin learns that each generation contains 36 righteous souls who protect the human race merely with their existence. For whatever reason, Kevin is the only righteous soul left in this generation, a statistic that has plunged the world into a state of crisis. The world needs the 36 to persevere and provide hope, and now it’s Kevin’s job to “power up” his soul so that he can find and anoint a new generation of righteous souls. For her part, Yvette serves as his drill sergeant, employing very un-angelic tactics to keep him on track.
She may be hard on Kevin, but he seems to need some tough love; he hasn’t always behaved so saintly. As Ritter expressed in a promo, Kevin “certainly wouldn’t seem like anyone’s first choice to save the world” — but that may very well be the point. Even those with flaws and foibles can change the world, one act of kindness at a time.
For his part, Ritter has earned the respect of critics and fans for the work as the reluctant hero, which isn’t his first regular series role. Son of the late, great actor John Ritter and actress Nancy Morgan, the young Ritter rose through the Hollywood ranks with roles in such films as “Freddy vs. Jason” (2003) and “Raise Your Voice” (2004), while also playing a main role in “Joan of Arcadia.” His recurring role on NBC’s “Parenthood” earned him an Emmy nomination. Other credits include “The Class” and “The Event.”
Fresh off her breakout role as Dr. Belinda Brown in HBO’s “Vice Principals,” Ritter’s co-star Gregory has appeared in some of the biggest hits on television, such as “Better Call Saul,” “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” and “Devious Maids.”
Garcia Swisher has been acting since the age of 10, having landed roles in such prominent series as “Are You Afraid of the Dark,” “Freak and Geeks” and “Party of Five.” She also appeared in “Reba,” “Gossip Girl” and “Better With You,” and has a recurring role in ABC’s “Once Upon a Time” as mermaid Ariel.
Young actress East boasts a wealth of experience that belies her age. Her credits include “True Blood,” “Liv and Maddie” and “Ice.”
The supporting cast also includes India de Beaufort (“Veep”) as Kristen Allen, J. August Richards (“Angel”) as Sheriff Deputy Nathan Purcell, and Dustin Ybarra (“We Bought a Zoo,” 2011) as Tyler Medina.
The team behind the scenes is just as impressive as the one in front of the camera. In an interview with IndieWire. com, co-creators Michele Fazekas and Tara Butters admitted that they knew the kooky premise and sense of humor was a bit of a stretch for a network drama, but they hope “Kevin (Probably) Saves the World” finds an audience. Luckily, they’ve had experience with unconventional dramas thanks to their work on “Marvel’s Agent Carter,” “Reaper” and “Resurrection.” Their early careers trace back to “The XFiles,” where they learned to mix standalone elements with serialized storylines, as in “Kevin (Probably) Saves the World.”
While many of us struggle to find peace amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday life, this lighthearted drama can serve as a reminder that everyone — even the hapless “Kevins” out there — can make the world a better place. For inspiration and entertainment, check out “Kevin (Probably) Saves the World,” airing Tuesday, Nov. 14, on ABC.