Following the massive global box office success of the 2018 faith-based biographical drama I Can Only Imagine, directors Andrew Erwin and Brent McCorkle have returned with its highly anticipated sequel, I Can Only Imagine 2.

While the first film masterfully captured the emotional backstories behind MercyMe’s multi-platinum hit song, this new chapter shifts its lens to the aftermath of sudden fame. The plot follows frontman Bart Millard (played once again by John Michael Finley) as he navigates the high-stakes music industry alongside fellow Christian artist Tim Timmons (Milo Ventimiglia).

Yet, amid the roaring concert crowds and heavy industry pressures, the emotional anchor of the entire film rests quietly on the shoulders of British actress Sophie Skelton, who steps into the role of Shannon Street Millard—Bart’s devoted wife.

---

Shedding the Warrior Spirit of Outlander’s Brianna MacKenzie

For global television audiences, Sophie Skelton is an instantly recognizable face. She earned international acclaim and a fiercely loyal fanbase for her portrayal of Brianna MacKenzie (Fraser) in Starz’s historical time-travel epic Outlander.

In the rugged world of 18th-century Scotland and early America, Skelton’s Brianna is defined by her fierce, stubborn, and highly confrontational nature. Inheriting the fiery spirit of her onscreen parents, Claire and Jamie Fraser, Skelton’s performance in Outlander demanded high-octane emotional outbursts, physical survival, and historical gravitas.

Stepping into I Can Only Imagine 2, however, Skelton undergoes a staggering artistic transformation. Trading 18th-century corsets and flintlock pistols for the dusty, sun-drenched suburbs of Texas, she completely strips away the larger-than-life aura of a time-traveling heroine to portray a grounded, modern-day matrix of a family.

---

…She Is Also the “Silent Anchor” Holding the Home Together

In this sequel, the character of Shannon Millard (taking over from Madeline Carroll, who played the younger version in the first film) faces a much more complex psychological terrain. Being the spouse of a touring rock star is taxing enough, but Shannon is also forced to manage a household under intense duress.

Bart is continuously haunted by the generational trauma of his late father (Dennis Quaid) and suffocated by writer’s block, all while the couple’s eldest son, Sam (Sammy Dell), battles type 1 diabetes.

“Shannon is a fiercely strong woman who holds down the fort. She has the patience of a saint and a quiet magnetism that anchors everyone around her.” — Sophie Skelton on her character.

Skelton brilliantly embodies the concept of a “silent anchor.” At one point in the film, Shannon humorously questions why anyone would want to hear her story, dismissing herself as “just a housewife.” Yet, through Skelton’s nuanced acting, the audience realizes that without Shannon’s unwavering grace and timely wisdom, Bart would have cratered under the pressure, never finding the strength to write their next big hit, “Even If.”

Without relying on grand, dramatic monologues, Skelton utilizes subtle glances of concern and steadfast physical presence to redefine what female strength looks like in a domestic setting.

---

Film Review: A Grounded Performance in a Crowded Script

From a critical standpoint, I Can Only Imagine 2 struggles at times under the weight of its own ambition. The script attempts to weave together too many heavy narrative threads simultaneously—ranging from Bart’s creative burnout and financial struggles to Tim Timmons’ devastating cancer diagnosis. Furthermore, the film heavily relies on flashbacks from the first movie, which occasionally disrupts the pacing.

However, where the musical melodrama becomes overwhelming, the relationship between the wives offers a breath of fresh air. The onscreen chemistry between Sophie Skelton and Arielle Kebbel (who plays Hilary Timmons) provides the film’s most authentic moments. Their shared bond as mothers and wives navigating life behind the curtain of famous men adds a profound layer of emotional depth to the movie.

 

---

The Verdict

While I Can Only Imagine 2 may not completely replicate the lightning-in-a-bottle box office magic of its predecessor, it succeeds entirely as an uplifting, comforting story about faith, resilience, and unconditional love.

For Sophie Skelton, this film serves as a definitive statement of her versatile range. She proves she cannot be pigeonholed into period dramas or typecast as a singular character. Beyond the fierce warrior-daughter of the Scottish Highlands, she is a deeply empathetic storyteller capable of anchoring a contemporary American drama with profound grace.