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Hallmark Channel is turning to the queen of Christian fiction for inspiration.
The cable channel announced Tuesday that it is developing two new original movies based on the works of Karen Kingsbury, a New York Times best-selling author whose royalty status was bestowed by Time magazine. Her first batch of novels getting the Hallmark telepic treatment, The Bridge and A Time to Dance, will roll out in 2015.
“Karen Kingsbury’s unmatched inspirational storytelling is a perfect fit for a partnership with the Hallmark Channel brand,” said Michelle Vicary, executive vp programming for Crown Media Family Networks, in a statement. “We’ve had extraordinary success working in collaboration with best-selling novelists, and we know this partnership will be especially rewarding for our viewers as they connect to Karen’s remarkable stories on our network for the very first time.”
Added Kingsbury, whose last dozen titles have hit No. 1 on national lists: “Hallmark is a trusted name in TV and with my millions of readers. I am beyond thrilled to begin this partnership. My readers will count down the days till the first of these two future classic movies!”
The Bridge centers on Molly Allen, a woman who left her heart in Franklin, Tenn., with the man she walked away from in college. When she finds out that The Bridge, a beloved bookstore back in Franklin, is in jeopardy along with the bookstore’s owner, she returns to help, only to come face to face with her old flame. Jamie Pachino (Franklin & Bash) is attached to write the adaptation, which is scheduled to air around the holidays.
In a similar vein, A Time to Dance follows the bittersweet story of longtime couple John and Abby, whose separation is postponed when they find out their daughter is getting married. Determined not to spoil their daughter’s big moment, they secretly put their plans on hold only to have the wedding planning process draw them back together.
David Rosemont (Bonnie and Clyde) and Everywhere Studios’ Dan Angel (Christmas Comes Home to Canaan) are partnering with Kim Arnott of Two 4 the Money Media and Fernando Szew of Mar Vista Entertainment as producers on both projects.
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