CNA Staff, May 27, 2025 / 16:06 pm
The second season of the award-winning online EWTN series “James the Less” will be released on Monday, June 9.
The first season introduced viewers to James Little, a student fresh out of college desperate for a job. James is an atheist. However, a “help wanted” sign on the church bulletin board catches his eye and entices him to interview for the position: handyman.
James accepts the position at St. James the Less Church and starts to encounter Catholicism. Soon, James finds his ideals challenged by the no-nonsense pastor Father Lambert Burns and through his romantic pursuit of parishioner Anne-Marie.
EWTN Director of Studio Operations Stephen Beaumont told CNA that the idea for the series came from his desire to “create a series of short videos about a character growing in virtue.”
“The idea for the title came from a Mass I attended at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, probably in 2019. I was in Rome on business and decided to attend a daily Mass at St. Peter’s. At St. Peter’s, there are always pilgrimage groups having Masses at the many side altars, and I ended up participating in a Mass with a group from a parish in England called St. James the Less,” he explained. “That name interested me, because you usually hear ‘St. James the Lesser’ or ‘St. James the Younger.’ Also, it reminded me of a saints book I got for my first Communion, which listed the apostle as St. James the Less. I thought it would work well as the title.”
Season 2 will consist of five episodes. “There will also be some new characters introduced, and most of all, you will see development of the relationship between James and Anne-Marie,” Beaumont shared.
James is played by Catholic artist and missionary Tanner Kalina. He has been a part of ministries such as FOCUS, Ascension Presents, NET, and others. He also hosts a podcast with several of his friends called “Saints Alive.”
While playing James, it has inspired Kalina “to look at the faith with fresh eyes,” he told CNA in an interview.
“He’s reminded me of how attractive our faith is and how we need to do a better job of owning it,” he said. “There’s so many people out there in James’ shoes who are aching for what we have as Catholics.”
“It’s been a great joy and a testament to the goodness and creativity of God. He’s so good,” Kalina added. “After I left Hollywood a number of years ago for ministry, I didn’t know if I’d ever have the chance to act again. When this fell in my lap, it felt like God was saying, ‘I see you. I know you. I love you. Enjoy!’”
Kalina shared that in Season 2 viewers will also see “what happens after James opens his heart ever so slightly to our Eucharistic Lord.”
When asked what he hopes people are taking away from the series, Kalina said: “I honestly just hope people are enjoying it. It’s just good ol’ wholesome fun, which is hard to find nowadays without an agenda attached.”
“Primarily it is a romantic comedy and a fish-out-of-water story, so most of all, we hope that people will find it entertaining,” Beaumont added. “There are some teaching moments along the way, but these moments flow naturally from the characters and the situations.”
The series will not be broadcast on television. Watch exclusively on EWTN’s YouTube channel:
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