Lifetime is planning for its greatest Vacation slate up to now.
Reaching over 80.1 million whole viewers throughout final yr’s It is a Fantastic Lifetime programming block, the cabler emerged because the #1 vacation film vacation spot.
For 2020, the star studded It is a Fantastic Lifetime slate will characteristic 30 new motion pictures, and over 1200 hours of vacation programming – 24/7 – from mid-October by way of December with many new and returning stars.
Hooray, proper?
This yr Lifetime dives deeper within the dedication for numerous storytelling with its storylines, expertise and characters.
Following final yr’s Twinkle All of the Means which featured an on display, identical intercourse kiss between couple Lex and Danny (Brian Sills and Mark Ghanimé), Lifetime has greenlighted The Christmas Set Up, the networks’ first film with a LGBTQ romance because the lead story.
Moreover, Lifetime has greenlighted its first vacation film centered on a Chinese language-American household in A Sugar & Spice Vacation, to be directed by Jennifer Liao and written by Eirene Donohue.
Casting is at present underway on each motion pictures, with manufacturing set to start this month.
“We’re thrilled to proceed our legacy of making a vacation vacation spot that’s welcoming to all at Lifetime,” mentioned Amy Winter, EVP and Head of Programming, Lifetime and LMN.
“With extra new motion pictures than anyone cable community for streamer, I could not be prouder of the unimaginable expertise becoming a member of us in entrance of, and behind the digicam, on these new vacation motion pictures.”
With new faces becoming a member of the beforehand introduced stars Betty White, Kelly Rowland, Mario Lopez and Melissa Joan Hart, 2020 will likely be further great with the addition of Tiffany Haddish govt producing Christmas Unwrapped starring Amber Stevens West, Marco Grazzini and Cheryl Ladd; Jason Priestley, Robin Givens, Ed Begley Jr. and Religion Prince co-starring with Melissa Joan Hart in Expensive Christmas; and Tony(R) award successful actress Ali Stroker main Christmas Ever After alongside Daniel DiTomasso.
The complete It is a Fantastic Lifetime slate will likely be launched in September, so be prepared for the Vacation season!
Descriptions for newly introduced motion pictures and stars embrace:
CHRISTMAS EVER AFTER
Well-liked romance novelist Izzi Simmons (Tony(R) winner Ali Stroker) spends each Christmas at her favourite snowy mattress & breakfast, however this yr, she’s confronted with an impending deadline and a extreme case of author’s block.
Fortunately, inspiration strikes within the unlikely type of the B&B’s new proprietor Matt (Daniel DiTomasso), who bears an uncanny resemblance to the good-looking hero from Izzi’s novels.
As each partake within the lodge’s annual itinerary of Christmas actions, Izzi’s author’s block is cured and the primary pages of her and Matt’s personal love story could be starting.
Christmas Ever After is produced by Neshama Leisure in Affiliation with Marvista Leisure and govt produced by Arnie Zipursky, Suzanne Berger, Julianna Hays, Larry Grimaldi, Hannah Pillemer and Fernando Szew.
Pat Kiely directs from a script by Katrina Mathewson and Tanner Bean.
CHRISTMAS UNWRAPPED
From govt producer Tiffany Haddish, Christmas Unwrapped follows Charity (Amber Stevens West), an formidable reporter, who learns the true that means of Christmas when she investigates Erik Gallagher (Marco Grazzini), a beloved member of the city who insists all of the presents he offers are from none-other than Santa himself.
Cheryl Ladd additionally stars. Further govt producers embrace Tracy “Twinkie” Bryd and Dominque Telson, Arnie Zipursky and Suzanne Berger for Neshama Leisure and Larry Grimaldi, Hannah Pillemer and Fernando Szew for MarVista Leisure.
Bosede Williams directed from a script by Gary Hardwick.
DEAR CHRISTMAS
Natalie Morgan (Melissa Joan Hart) is an creator and host of a well-liked podcast, Vacation Love, which shares true tales of vacation romance with its listeners.
Whereas to the skin world and her listeners all over the place see Natalie is an knowledgeable on romance, she’s by no means actually skilled a romance of her personal.
As Natalie prepares to embark on a promotional tour for her new e book, she stops again residence to spend Christmas together with her household and to have a good time her guardian’s 50th anniversary the place she unexpectedly begins to expertise her personal vacation romance as sparks ignite with native firefighter, Jack (Jason Priestley).
Expensive Christmas additionally stars Robin Givens, Ed Begley Jr and Religion Prince and is produced by Hartbreak Movies, Paula Hart and Melissa Joan Hart.
Emily Moss Wilson directs from a script by Juliet Giglio and Keith Giglio.
A SUGAR & SPICE HOLIDAY
Suzie, a rising younger architect, returns to her small hometown in Maine for Christmas the place, her Chinese language American household runs the native Lobster Bar.
Following the lack of her beloved grandmother who was a legendary baker of their neighborhood, Suzie is guilted into following in her grandmother’s footsteps by coming into the native gingerbread home competitors.
Teaming up with an previous highschool good friend Billy, who grew as much as be a catch, Suzie should discover the best recipes and mixture of sugar and spice to win the competitors and maybe discover some love within the course of.
A Sugar & Spice Vacation is produced by Brightlight Photos and govt produced by Nancy Bennett, Shawn Williamson and Jamie Goehring, directed by Jennifer Liao and written by Eirene Donohue.
THE CHRISTMAS SET UP
Hugo, a New York company lawyer and his greatest good friend Madelyn head to Milwaukee to spend the vacations together with his mother Kate, who can be accountable for the native Christmas celebrations.
Ever the matchmaker, Kate arranges for Hugo to run into Patrick, Hugo’s highschool good friend and secret crush, who has not too long ago returned after a profitable stint in Silicon Valley.
As they benefit from the native vacation festivities collectively, Hugo and Patrick’s attraction to one another is simple and it appears as if Kate’s well-intentioned Santa-style matchmaking is successful.
However as Hugo receives phrase of an enormous promotion requiring a transfer to London, he should resolve what’s most essential to him. The Christmas Set Up is produced by Neshama Leisure in affiliation with MarVista Leisure and govt produced by Danielle von Zerneck, Larry Grimaldi, Hannah Pillemer, Fernando Szew, Suzanne Berger and Arnie Zipursky.
Script is written by Michael J. Murray.
Paul Dailly is the Affiliate Editor for TV Fanatic. Observe him on Twitter.