Former child actor David Henrie, known for his roles in Disney’s “Wizards of Waverly Place” and “How I Met Your Mother,” is stepping into a new role as host of the docuseries “Seeking Beauty,” premiering Jan. 19 on EWTN+.
The series explores the faith-inspired artistry and architecture of historic Catholic sites, beginning with a season set in Italy and followed by a second season filmed in Spain. Henrie described the show as a premium travel program that highlights the religious roots behind enduring cultural landmarks.
“We wanted to make a travel show,” Henrie said. “I think there hasn’t been a premium travel show that’s involved the faith that’s behind building a lot of these everlasting cultures and still intriguing cultures to this day.”
Unlike traditional documentaries that feature experts lecturing viewers, “Seeking Beauty” flips the format. Henrie positions himself as an everyman proxy, asking the questions an average visitor might pose while encountering masterpieces by Caravaggio, Michelangelo and Bernini.
“I’m supposed to be the eyes of the viewer and give people access to these places they may never go to, but ask the questions and go on the journey that they would want to go on,” he said.
Henrie expressed concern about the fleeting nature of modern tourism, where visitors often glance briefly at historic works before moving on. He called it “tragic” that many pass masterpieces without understanding their significance in shaping Western society and transmitting faith.
“These places and these monuments and these figures have helped build the Western society and Western world, and given us the faith that we inherited,” he said. “We need to talk about that a little more.”
The actor emphasized beauty’s role in spiritual formation, particularly as a father of three. He views aesthetic experiences as powerful teaching tools that create lasting memories.
“Beauty is the door that opens, and inside of it is truth and goodness,” Henrie said. “Beauty is the language of the divine.”
He lamented what he sees as America’s tendency to treat beauty as expendable when budgets tighten, contrasting it with divine creation.
“God didn’t cut beauty,” he said. “Look at the human person. There’s nothing more beautiful than the human person.”
Henrie also critiqued modern attitudes toward patronage and magnificence. He noted that historical builders often commissioned grand works knowing they would not live to see completion, a mindset he called foreign to contemporary American thinking.
“We’ve lost our sense of magnificence,” he said. “Back in the day, patrons of the art or well-off individuals — it was important for them to contribute to their culture and to society.”
The series reflects Henrie’s personal faith journey. In his early 20s, he experienced what he described as a “Saul-to-Paul moment,” shifting from a life focused on materialism and fame to embracing Christianity after battling depression and loss of purpose.
He credited Christian mentors met on the set of the 2015 film “Little Boy” with showing him authentic faith. The conversion led to meeting his wife, starting a family and finding direction.
“Faith gives you hope,” Henrie said. “It added meaning to the difficulties of life. It added an objective meaning.”
As a former child star, Henrie acknowledged the challenges of early fame, which he called “a drug.” He said faith provided the anchor missing in his earlier years and expressed hope that others in the industry might find similar stability.
This marks Henrie’s first explicitly faith-based project. He hopes “Seeking Beauty” will encourage viewers to rediscover beauty’s power to inspire and connect them to God.
Both seasons of “Seeking Beauty” will be available Jan. 19 on EWTN+, the network’s streaming platform. Henrie invited audiences to join the evolving journey as the series finds its voice.
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