Stephen Collins’ new film couldn’t come at a worse time.
The former 7th Heaven actor, who is currently facing child molestation claims, took on the role of a priest who preys on children in the short film Penance.
According to USA Today, the film was released in 2013, but is currently making the rounds in the festival circuits.
Stephen Collins has often played kindly, dad-type roles.
And in a new short film, Penance, he plays a priest. But he’s a priest who has some sins to confess. Specifically, he’s a pedophile.
The movie, which was made in 2013 and released in March, has been playing the festival circuit. It is directed by Jeff Wolfe, who was a second unit director/stunt coordinator on the NBC show Revolution, which starred Collins as a doctor. Penance co-stars Revolution‘s David Lyons as a man who visits Collins to “find forgiveness,” as the movie’s synopsis reads, “or to give it.”
During an interview at Wonder Con in April, the actor shared details on the film and his dark role.
“He [Jeff Wolfe] wrote this peace about a parishioner…I can’t say anymore about it but it’s very intense and we managed to shoot it in one day. We got a chance to do something so different,” he said.
Wolfe, who is now aware of Collins’ alleged history of molesting teen girls, released a statement following the news.
“When I cast Stephen Collins, I had no idea there might be a connection between his real life and the part I asked him to play,” he told People. “I found the recent allegations particularly shocking, as my film is meant to speak to victims of abuse and the idea that the effects of abuse never really go away.”
Check out Collins’ interview talking about the role below.
SOURCE: USA Today | VIDEO CREDIT: YouTube
