BFA graduate Tyler Russell collaborates with mother, bestselling author Karen Kingsbury

The team’s current projects include a full-length feature film, TV series and a new book.

Keely Hagan | 615-966-6491 | 01/06/2023

Tyler Russell (BFA, ’15), is a creative and talented actor, director and storyteller who grew up admiring the work of his mother Karen Kingsbury, the No. 1 New York Times bestselling novelist. He is currently working with his mom on numerous writing and production projects. What began as a loving mother-son bond has expanded into a professional relationship between two talented writers who share a passion for storytelling. 

Kingsbury is well known for being one of America’s favorite Christian storyteller, with more than twenty-five million copies of her award-winning books in print. Her last dozen titles have topped bestseller lists and many of her novels are under development as major motion pictures.

“I’ve learned so much from her,” said Russell. “Getting to grow up in that environment and watching how her ministry works, my siblings and I all wanted to be a part of it. It’s now a family business and we all have found our own lane to work with her.”

One of six children, Russell grew up surrounded by creativity and began exploring his storytelling skills at an early age. He would write plays that he would make his brother and sisters star in with him. In elementary school, he wrote a children’s book that won a national award. It seems writing is in his blood.

“All of our kids are amazing people who love the Lord and each other,” said Kingsbury. “But they have different gifts. Having one I can write with is a blessing.”

Among her and Russell’s latest projects is the full-length feature film Someone Like You, based on Kingsbury’s 2020 instant bestseller of the same name. They co-wrote the script with Kingsbury executive producing and Russell directing.

Filming took place locally at the Franklin Public Square, Percy Priest Lake and the Nashville Zoo. Starring Sarah Fisher (Degrassi: The Next Generation) and Jake Allyn (No Man’s Land, Sweet Girl), along with locals Scott Reeves, Austin Russell, Brandon Hirsch, and Lindsay Ross Davenport, the film is tentatively scheduled for release in fall 2023.

The television series they co-wrote, and he directed, A Thousand Tomorrows, has been tentatively scheduled to stream in February on the Sony faith-based subscription video service Pure Flix. And, their latest book of the Baxter Family Series, Being Baxters, will be released on Feb. 21. They are currently working to adapt that series for television as well.

Kingsbury started the Baxter Family Series when Russell was young, writing 22 books about the Baxter family. When the publisher asked her to write a prequel series for younger readers, she asked Russell to co-author with her. By that time, he had earned his degree, interned at Hallmark and was actively working in the entertainment industry.

“She always asks me if I want to work with her on a specific project, never assuming,” said Russell. “It’s easy for me to say yes. It’s such a creative and respectful environment that we both feel open and good about it. Working beside her, watching how she conducts herself and how she stays disciplined has been really cool.”

It is not always Kingsbury asking Russell to join her, sometimes it’s a project Russell initiates and asks for Kingsbury’s collaboration.

Soon after earning his BFA in the theatre department’s directing track at Lipscomb, Russell sold his first screenplay, Maggie’s Christmas Miracle, that premiered in December 2017 on the Hallmark Channel. He had written the script based on Kingsbury’s book Maggie’s Miracle. It was one of several screenplays he had written, not only for the ultimate goal of creating more film and television adaptations of his mother’s books but also as exercise for the budding screenwriter to hone his craft.

“I wrote the first draft solo, then my mom came in and later Hallmark brought on their screenwriter to collaborate with us. Hallmark is a huge machine that does things very well. It was a great learning experience that ignited creativity in me and taught me a valuable lesson about being ready for opportunities. The more adaptable and versatile I can be, offering up various skills, the better prepared I am for the Lord to use them.”

As a student at Lipscomb he was tasked to work on multiple projects at once, including hosting Singarama, starring in West Side Story and maintaining classroom grades. “There were so many facets of learning, with a variety of avenues rather than just one track,” said Russell. “Staying well rounded was stressed and that has helped me to develop various skills and broaden my horizon.

“I particularly enjoyed my directing class with Beki Baker. She helped me see my potential beyond performing,” he said.

“If opportunity allows, I want to cycle through a season when I am in front of the camera as well. I know my gifts are being used when I am directing, and I hope I can continue to do that. Whether on stage or behind the camera, it’s all exciting. It’s never routine. Variety makes me better and it’s fun.” 

Jokingly he added, “I am throwing darts and letting God direct me for the season I am in.”

On Instagram you can follow Tyler Russell @itstylerrussell and stay up to date on movie news @someonelikeyoumovie.