Christian singer Moriah Peters-Smallbone to star alongside Dennis Quaid in 'Reagan'

By Jeannie Ortega Law, Christian Post Reporter Thursday, December 10, 2020

for KING & COUNTRY's Joel Smallbone (right) pictured with wife Moriah Peters to promote 'This Is Winter Jam' in theaters April 19, 2016. | (Photo: Turning Point Media)

Moriah Peters-Smallbone is starring in the role of legendary Cocoanut Grove singer Loyce Whiteman in an upcoming Ronald Reagan biopic.

“Reagan” producers made the announcement exclusively to The Christian Post this week and are excited to have the Christian singer in their cast.

“We are thrilled to have Moriah join us,” Mark Joseph (“Space Cowboys”) said in a statement to The Christian Post.

Peters-Smallbone, who made her acting debut in “Because of Gracia” and is married to for King & Country’s Joel Smallbone, will be starring alongside award-winning actor Dennis Quaid, who portrays Reagan.

“She brings grace and class to this important scene and we’re excited to have her on board,” Joseph said of her contribution to the film.

Peters-Smallbone, who previously auditioned for "American Idol," and Quaid will be joined on screen by a star-studded cast, including Penelope Ann Miller, who plays Nancy Reagan, Jon Voight as a KGB agent who tracked Reagan for 40 years, and Mena Suvari as Reagan's first wife, Jane Wyman,

“There was something about Reagan’s benevolence and humanity that is so admirable,” Peters-Smallbone noted in a statement. “To bring back to life that kind of leadership is so relevant but more personally, being a part of this project feels like an homage to my grandfathers.

“One revered Reagan and the other played in a big band much like the one I had the privilege of performing within this movie.”

Actor Dennis Quaid sits on stage during the nominations for the 73rd annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California in December 2015. | (Photo: Reuters/Danny Moloshok)

Joining producer Joseph at the helm of “Reagan” is Director Sean McNamara and writer Howard Klausner.

“Reagan” is not the first film collaboration between Quaid and McNamara. The pair worked together on the inspiring film "Soul Surfer," "Mighty Oak" and "Miracle Season."

Production in Oklahoma on the upcoming biopic was halted in the fall due to a COVID-19 outbreak among crew members.

The movie will follow the life of Ronald Reagan, who served as the 40th president of the United States from 1981 to 1989. Prior to his presidency, he was under a seven-year contract with Warner Bros as an actor and starred in the movies “Dark Victory,” “Knute Rockne, All American” and “Kings Row.”