Following in the footsteps of their hugely successful Breaking Amish reality show franchise, TLC announced last month that they were going to air a new series titled Breaking the Faith featuring young women and men leaving the controversial polygamy-practicing FLDS headed up by Warren Jeffs, who is currently serving a life sentence plus 20 years for charges of sexual assault and aggravated sexual assault of children. The show premieres Sunday, November 24 and the network has released the first Breaking the Faith preview trailer as well as official cast photos and bios for the five women and four men featured on the show.
We will kick things off with the trailer, which would seem to indicate that the young men are already out of the FLDS and are looking to “go back in” to rescue the women — all the while trying to avoid the “God Squad” security force. (Anyone else thinking we may soon see a new Amish Mafia inspired reality series titled God Squad on Discovery Channel soon?)
Here are the synopses of the firsts two episodes:
Breaking the Faith Episode 1 “Keep Sweet” – Young women from a strict polygamist community, run by the Fundamentalist Church of Latter Day Saints, leave their homes aided by a group of young men, cast out from the church. Their escape turns risky when the security wing of the church interferes.
Breaking the Faith Episode 2 “On the Run” – The group go to a safe house in an undisclosed location after their escape, but begin to wonder if they’re out of danger when they realize who controls the building.
And here are photos and bios of all the cast members, most of which we only know the first name of so far:
LINDA
22-year-old Linda’s stepfather is close to Warren Jeffs, making her a part of one of the most connected families in the FLDS and someone who has led a protected life — relatively speaking. But Linda can’t seem to quiet her longing to leave and join her real father and her eight brothers and sisters who have already left. Plus, she has dreams of becoming a dancer — something she obviously has no chance of pursuing while remaining in the FLDS community.
JAKE
Jake is 19 years old and was booted with his dad after it was discovered he was in possession of DVD. Jake currently works construction but is still concerned about his sister who is still a member of the FLDS community.
ANGIE JESSOP
21-year-old Angie Jessop watches her two brothers and father leave the FLDS community and she is anxious to follow suit so she can start taking control of her own life and make her own decisions.
BEN
Ben is a 20-year-old former FLDS member who was booted after years of physical abuse for “acting out.” He lives on his own, and like Jake he is currently working construction. His TLC biography says “he’s regarded as highly intelligent, funny, and very sensitive.”
MARTHA BARLOW
Only 18 years old, Martha is one of the youngest of the Breaking the Faith cast. As with most all the female cast members, she is motivated to leave the FLDS community so she can make her own decisions about relationships and marriage. In addition, Martha dreams of attending college where she wants to study to become a detective! Do I see a Martha, She Wrote TLC spin-off in the future?
MATT JEFFS
Matt is yet another “Lost Boy” currently working construction. He’s the older brother of cast mate Zack and also shares something with Martha in that he hopes to one day become a private investigator. (Do FLDS members just watch old episodes of Law & Order and Magnum PI or something?)
CONNIE
Connie, like Linda, is pretty well-connected in the FLDS community, but also like Linda, she’s looking to get out. Connie actually has a leg up in that she’s already got a feller on the “outside” that she is in touch with! Once she gets out — if she gets out — Connie hopes to attend culinary school and eventually open a restaurant.
ZACK JEFFS
Zack is 18 years old and the younger brother of Matt. Both brothers are nephews of FLDS leader Warren Jeffs, and a such are considered royalty in the community — or at least they were considered royalty. Zack’s now officially a “Lost Boy” and is currently working on finishing up high school so he can go to college.
VAL
20-year-old Val is a bit of an FLDS trouble child, or as they refer to it: “struggling.” She’s acted out on numerous occasions and as a result she’s been moved from family to family in an attempt to keep her under control. As you might have guessed, Val is looking to bust out of the FLDS community and join her father and brother who have already done just that.
Breaking the Faith premieres Sunday, November 24 at 10/9c on TLC.
Last names originally posted by politicsrusprinciple.tumblr.com
