‘The Arrangement’ Controversy: Show’s Storyline Carries Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes And Scientology Theme; Cast And Showrunner Slam Reports

By Staff Writer

The new scripted television series The Arrangement is now being controversial for its familiar storyline. A lot noticed its similarities to the life story of the former couple Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise as well as the latter's religion, Scientology.

The upcoming E! drama tells the story of the young aspiring actress Megan Morrison (Christine Evangelista) and the already high-profile superstar Kyle West (Josh Henderson). When the two meet in an audition for the latter's blockbuster film, they then go on a date, according to TVGuide.

Here, Megan is instantly offered a million-dollar contract that could change her life tremendously and could assure her fortune and fame in The Arrangement. Things will get more complicated as it will be revealed that behind the agreement is Kyle's manager Terence Anderson (Michael Vartan), who is the leader of the Institute of The Higher Mind -- a secret self-help organization.

By involving two stars and an organization, the show is strongly being compared to Katie Holmes, Tom Cruise, and Scientology. But, the cast and the executive producer of the series insisted that it is really not the case.

"It really isn't," The Arrangement showrunner Jonathan Abrahams said at the Television Critics' Association press tour. "I just saw this as a truly unique story that takes place in Hollywood and our characters are very unique in their own right."

The Institute of the Higher Mind, on the other hand, is far more different to Scientology as it is "not a religion at all." He went on to explain, according to Yahoo TV, that the upcoming show is not about faith or a theme of believing something.

Abrahams further said that there are shows already doing that and The Arrangement is different because it is about Hollywood. He even described it as an "aspirational town" and the self-help organization exists to aspire the young hopefuls to a higher way of living.

The Arrangement will air on March 5 on ET at 10:00 p.m.