Watch Breaking Amish
- TV-14
- 2012
- 8 Seasons
-
5.0 (1,113)
Breaking Amish was a reality television show on TLC that documented the lives of five young Amish people as they left their sheltered communities for the first time to experience the outside world. The show premiered in 2012 and ran for three seasons, captivating viewers with its unique glimpse into Amish culture and the challenges faced by those who choose to leave it. The show's main cast consisted of Kate Stoltzfus, Jeremiah Raber, Sabrina High, Rebecca Byler, and Abe Schmucker, all in their early twenties and raised in traditional Amish communities. Breaking Amish followed their journey as they traveled to New York City to live together and experience life outside the Amish community for the first time. Throughout the show, viewers were able to witness the cast members navigate the challenges of their new lifestyles. This included everything from dressing in modern clothing, to trying new foods, to engaging in social activities that were once forbidden in their Amish communities. One of the standout cast members was Kate Stoltzfus, a young Amish woman who had dreams of becoming a model. Throughout the show, viewers saw Kate struggling with the decision to leave her community and pursue her dreams, while also dealing with the guilt and judgement she felt from her family and community for breaking with tradition. Jeremiah Raber, another prominent cast member, was the only member of the cast who had been previously shunned from his Amish community. He had left the community with his wife, who unfortunately passed away shortly before the start of the show. Throughout Breaking Amish, Jeremiah grappled with guilt over his past decisions and his desire to rebuild relationships with his family. Sabrina High, Rebecca Byler, and Abe Schmucker were also featured prominently on the show, each dealing with their own unique challenges as they navigated their new lifestyles. Sabrina struggled with the guilt of leaving her daughter behind in her Amish community, while Rebecca faced criticism from her community for choosing to leave and pursue her own dreams. Abe struggled with the decision to leave his pregnant girlfriend back in his community while he pursued a new life outside of it. Throughout the show's three seasons, viewers were able to watch as the cast members grew and changed, navigating the joys and struggles of their new lives. The show was praised for its honest portrayal of Amish culture, as well as its ability to humanize those who choose to leave it. However, Breaking Amish was not without controversy. In 2012, it was revealed that some of the show's scenes had been staged, and that some cast members had actually left their Amish communities years before the show's production. This led to criticism from some who felt that the show was misleading and exploitative. Despite the controversy, Breaking Amish was a popular and successful show for TLC, capturing the attention of viewers with its unique premise and compelling cast. The show came to an end in 2014 after three seasons, but will always be remembered as a groundbreaking and influential reality show that challenged viewers to think differently about Amish culture and those who choose to leave it.
