Breaking Amish

Breaking Amish
Country of origin	United States
No. of seasons	1
No. of episodes	9
Production
Running time	60 minutes
Original release
Network	TLC
Release	September 9, 2012

Breaking Amish is an American television series on TLC. The plot revolves around five young Anabaptist adults (four Amish and one Mennonite) who move to New York City in order to experience a different life and to make a difficult decision regarding whether to return to their communities, or to remain in New York City and face potential ostracism by their family and friends.

The show follows the cast members as they experience the realities of living in New York City and face new situations involving work, friendship, romance, and lifestyle. It also tracks the drama that develops between cast members as they undergo various experiences. The move to New York City by these young men and women differs from Rumspringa, the rite of passage in which some 16-year-old Amish are allowed to experience the outside world and to decide whether or not they wish to remain with their home communities.

Shortly after airing the first episode it was reported by several news outlets that all of the cast had left their respective communities prior to taping the show and in some case as long as 14 years prior. All had been living in mainstream society for some time before taping.

Cast

Cast	Age	Community	Details
Abe	22	Amish	From Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.
Jeremiah	32	Amish	Adopted by an Amish family, grew up in Holmes County, Ohio.
Kate	21	Amish	Daughter of a bishop, grew up in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, previously spent some time in Florida.
Rebecca	20	Amish	From Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.
Sabrina	25	Mennonite	Adopted by a Mennonite family, born to Puerto Rican and Italian parents.

Controversy

The production has been forthcoming with some of the 'non-Amish' background of the cast. As episodes progressed, the production steadily revealed other aspects of the cast's past activities. However, these steady 'reveals' have been partially revealed ahead of time by other media outlets.

Photo evidence suggested that two of the cast members, Rebecca and Abe, might actually be married and have a child together although on the show, they are said to be exploring a relationship for the first time. Other information suggests that Rebecca was married to another man and had an extramarital affair with Abe that resulted in a child. After the airing of the first few episodes, evidence surfaced suggesting that cast members may have been living outside their Amish communities at the time the show begins, including comments by a woman claiming to be Jeremiah's ex-wife who spoke out after the show's premiere to say he permanently left the Amish 14 years before.

TLC admitted that some of the claims were true and were already worked into future episodes, meaning that these early media reports are spoilers for subsequent episodes.

Some of the information shared during the production:

• In episode 1 it is shown that Kate had spent time in Florida, driving and earning a DUI.
• In the extended version of episode 2 Jeremiah states that he was kicked out of the Amish three different times, dressing 'English' each time.
• In episode 6 Jeremiah states, when Abe talks about marrying Rebecca, that he was once married.
• In episode 7 Abe and Rebecca discuss how they used to sneak off – with her boyfriend and with others – to dress 'English' and go bowling.
• In episode 7 Rebecca discusses how Abe once moved to Kentucky and she to North Dakota, renewing their friendship when they returned to their Amish community.

Episodes

No.	Title	Original air date
1	Jumping the Fence	September 9, 2012
The premiere of a reality series following five men and women from Amish and Mennonite communities as they seek the possibility of leaving their old lives behind for new ones in New York City, though they also run the risk of saying good-bye to their family and friends forever.
2	What Have We Gotten Ourselves Into?	September 16, 2012
The Amish find themselves in chaotic and vibrant New York City. Romance may be in the offing as the newcomers adjust to life in New York City, but their fresh start also comes with an air of tension.
3	Breaking All The Rules	September 23, 2012
The cast breaks Amish & Mennonite rules by buying "English" clothes and getting tattoos. The cast grow more comfortable in the city when they get wardrobe makeovers and tattoos, and Kate and Rebecca mull modeling careers, but surprise visits by Abe's and Rebecca's families could put an end to this experiment. Also, Jeremiah has his first driving lesson.
4	New Beginnings	September 30, 2012
Rebecca confronts a difficult episode from her past; Kate succumbs to the pressure of being shunned by her family; Sabrina tries to find out more about her ethnic background. Jeremiah continues his driving lessons with a different instructor.
5	What Is Really Happening?	October 7, 2012
The cast discusses the pros and cons of the Amish life; Abe accompanies Jeremiah to a strip club; Rebecca uncovers Kate's Florida DUI arrest record which Kate must confront; Sabrina continues to look towards exploring her ethnic background.
6	Good vs. Evil	October 14, 2012
Kate wears a bikini for her first photo shoot; Abe wants to take his relationship with Rebecca a step further. Sabrina, along with Kate, Abe and Rebecca visit the Sex Museum; allegations of witchcraft.
7	Final Days	October 21, 2012
Kate finds she is ousted from the others; Sabrina learns the whereabouts of her biological father, though she and Jeremiah keep a secret from the rest; Rebecca reveals a part of her past that she is not really in the mood to discuss; the cast makes a tough decision while packing their bags.
8	Decision Time	October 28, 2012
The men and women go home to decide whether they will return to their communities or leave them behind for a new life, which may mean saying good-bye to their families and friends forever.
9	Party Time	November 4, 2012
Sabrina uncovers her late birth mother's letters; Kate begins to accept the reality of her situatiom; Abe and Rebecca plan their eventual wedding; Jeremiah and Sabrina plan bachelor and bachelorette parties respectively for the engaged.
10	Reunion, Part 1	November 11, 2012
The cast reunites to discuss their first time in NYC, and even relates to relationships with their families and friends, their possible brushes with the law and the authenticity of their Amish or Mennonite lives.
11	Reunion, Part 2	November 18, 2012
The cast continues to answer questions about their lives and their cultural origins.

See also

• Amish in the City

External links

http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/tv/breaking-amish