Hallmark Channel has ordered production on an original movie, “The Dead Hollywood Moms Society,” based on the novel of the same name by Lindsay Maracotta.
Production on the project-about a struggling Hollywood mom, who after discovering a dead body in her pool finds herself solving a murder-is scheduled to get under way July 24. Casting is being finalized and the shooting location has not yet been determined, but Dave Cass is on board as director and Bruce Franklin Singer is the writer. Eileen Kahnpower, Larry Levinson and Robert Halmi Jr., are executive producing the movie, which comes from Alpine Medien.
“Hollywood Moms” is one of 12 original made-for-television movies Hallmark Channel plans to mount this year from Alpine Medien. Next year Hallmark plans to ramp up its TV movie schedule to about 26 pictures, representing multiple genres, including Western, mystery, relationship and possibly science fiction, a network spokeswoman told TelevisionWeek.
The network plans to pinpoint some of its most successful movies to develop into multiple-picture franchises. If any of those strings of movies become sustained hits, Hallmark will consider developing them as scripted series, likely in 2004.
Hallmark Channel currently has just one original series on its schedule, “Adoption.” A second season of the hour-long documentary-style show kicks off Sept. 7 and likely will air Sundays at 11 p.m. (ET).
Hallmark had plans to discuss its programming last Monday during the Television Critics Association Press Tour, however, the network wound up pulling out of its session. Hallmark Channel does plan to make a presentation at the Winter Press Tour.