Stephen Collins Plays a Pedophile Priest in Latest Short Film
The film's director opens up about casting Collins in such a role.
— -- Actor Stephen Collins, who played Rev. Eric Camden on "7th Heaven," is stepping back into a similar role, but with a dark and coincidental twist.
In a short 10-minute movie that was released earlier this year, Collins stars as a priest with a pedophile past in "Penance," which follows "One man’s journey of forgiveness," according to its official site.
The full synopsis reads, "David Lyons plays Thomas Walker, a man hounded by personal demons and inner turmoil who has lived long enough with the scars of his past. Stephen Collins is the Priest he visits to clear his conscience and discover exactly what it means to find forgiveness ... or to give it."
The film has been getting some buzz at venues like the Los Angeles International Underground and Starz Denver film festivals.
People magazine was one of the first outlets to report on the coincidence of the role and Collins' current situation.
In real life, police are investigating Collins, 67, on child molestation claims made by his estranged wife.
ABC News has reached out to Collins’ lawyer but has not heard back.
"Penance" is directed by Jeff Wolfe, whose film credits include the "The Avengers" and "Green Lantern," along with a slew of other stunt roles as coordinator.
Wolfe released a statement to ABC News about casting Collins.
"Although my short film, ‘Penance,’ has recently played at a number of film festivals, it was actually made in 2013," Wolfe said. "When I cast Stephen Collins, I had no idea there might be a connection between his real life and the part I asked him to play. I found the recent allegations particularly shocking, as my film is meant to speak to victims of abuse and the idea that the effects of abuse never really go away."
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