The Role She Never Auditioned For

Actress Jen Lilley Takes On The Role of Jimmy Stewart’s Wife In Upcoming JIMMY While Continuing Her Lifelong Commitment To America’s Children

For nearly a decade, Jen Lilley has been a familiar face to television audiences, winning over fans with her warmth, charisma, and undeniable talent. Best known for her memorable roles on the Hallmark Channel and her time on Days of Our Lives, Lilley has built a career that reaches far beyond the romantic stories that first made her a household favorite. Stepping into one of the most meaningful roles of her career in the highly anticipated new biopic JIMMY, Lilley portrays the wife of legendary actor Jimmy Stewart, bringing to life the woman who stood beside one of Hollywood’s most enduring icons. Set to release November 6, the film introduces audiences to another side of a star whose legacy has long extended beyond his films.

“I have always been a huge fan of Jimmy Stewart, his movies, and his life philosophy,” Lilley shares. “It is a dream come true to step into the role of the love of his life. Jimmy has held a special place in so many hearts, and now we get to see the entire life journey that built this beloved man. This film is beautiful and will be beloved by many.”

For Lilley, the role of Gloria Stewart is also an opportunity to explore the strength, devotion, and love behind the famed figure. While her latest acting role may place her in the spotlight, there’s another role she holds even closer to her heart—and one she never had to audition for. Having experienced firsthand the challenges children and families face through her own journey of adoption, she has become a passionate advocate for America’s children—especially those navigating the foster-care system. For her, the cause is more than a calling; it’s deeply personal and has lit a flame within her to fight for change. These experiences have transformed her perspective and ultimately inspired her to make foster-care reform a personal mission. She is dedicated to helping others understand the realities these children face as well as what individuals can do to make a difference. Her message comes back to one simple truth: every child deserves safe, loving and stable adults in their lives, and there are countless ways to help ensure they have them. This mission recently took another step forward with the release of Called To Foster, a book Lilley co-authored with foster-care expert Dr. John DeGarmo. The book is designed to encourage people who may have considered foster care but aren’t sure whether they are ready to take the next step. She hopes it will help remove some of the uncertainty surrounding foster care while inspiring more families and individuals to open their homes and hearts to children who desperately need stability.

At the heart of Lilley’s advocacy and the way she approaches both her career and personal life is a deeply rooted Christian faith. She has spoken openly about her relationship with Jesus and the role her faith plays in shaping her priorities—especially her desire to serve others and use her platform for something beyond herself. This ultimately inspired her to write Wake Up Your Faith: 365 Daily Encounters with Jesus, a yearlong devotional released in 2025. The devotional grew out of Lilley’s sense that many people, including believers, can find themselves spiritually distracted or simply going through the motions. Rather than keeping those lessons to herself, she felt called to create something that could encourage people to intentionally make room for God each day. Built around Scripture, reflection and practical action steps, Wake Up Your Faith is designed to help readers reignite their faith and pursue a more vibrant, Christ-centered life. Lilley has described the project as an act of obedience to what she believed the Holy Spirit was prompting her to do—a message she hopes will encourage Christians to become more spiritually awake and more willing to live out their faith boldly.

“God doesn’t want you to just be a person in the crowd hearing His sermon,” she shares. “He actually wants us to be a disciple. And you can’t actually walk closely with Jesus if you’re not willing to die to yourself daily and let Him take over.”

While acting has given her a platform to tell stories that reach millions, advocacy has given her a reason to use that platform for something larger than herself. With JIMMY, audiences will see Lilley take on a role that celebrates love, loyalty, and the life of an American icon. Through her advocacy, they see a woman determined to shine a light on children who need advocates of their own. While she may be stepping into the golden age of Hollywood for her latest role, her most meaningful work continues well beyond the screen.

For more information on Jen Lilley, visit her website https://www.jenlilley.com/ or follow her on social media @jen_lilley.