Premiering in 1994, the television series Touched by an Angel chose a unique formula to achieve success. The series relied on spiritual faith, love, and redemption to send positive messages in an age of dramatic television filled with tremendous violence and negativity. The three main characters, all angels, include: Tess (Della Reese), the supervisor and mentor; Monica (Roma Downey), the new angel; and Andrew (John Dye), the angel of death. The angels assist a wide range of different characters with their personal relationships and tackle many serious issues along the way, including AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), capital punishment, and teenage pregnancy. While the series focused on spiritual thoughts and does use the word "god," it does not assert any specific religion or religious agenda. With little fanfare at first, Touched by An Angel consistently gained in popularity over the late 1990s to become a top ranked and unique drama series.

Further Reading:

Reese, Della, with Franklin Lett and Mim Eichler. Angels Along the Way: My Life with Help from Above. New York, G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1997.

Sheets, Robin, and Martha Williamson. Touched by an Angel. Grand Rapids, Michigan, Zondervan Publishing House, 1997.

Williamson, Martha. When Angels Speak: Inspiration from Touched by an Angel. Columbus, Fireside, 1997.