TV One Reveals 2017-2018 Slate of Original Movies

TV One has announced its 4Q17-2018 slate of original movies, focusing on storytelling that will promote culturally authentic stories that inspire as well as entertain viewers and further strengthen the network's goal to be the premiere destination for relevant programming geared toward the African American community.

"We are so excited to produce and present such a wide range of original films that expand the narrative of our community," said D'Angela Proctor, TV One's SVP, Original Programming & Production. "Because music is in our DNA, it plays an integral part of our original movie programming strategy."

Capitalizing on the success of last year's original movie offerings, TV One will produce a well-rounded offering of films ranging from bio-pics, historical films and holiday fare.

For the music lover, TV One celebrates three films inspired by musical artists, including Who Can I Run To: The Xscape Story, a film inspired by the R&B quartet's episode of Unsung, which was the most popular episode aired in the series' history. The film is being produced in partnership with legendary music producer and So So Def founder Jermaine Dupri, the label that produced Xscape's three platinum albums. All This Love: The DeBarge Family Story, based on the book, "Other Side of Pain" by Etterlene "Mama" DeBarge, focuses on the rise and fall of one of the most famous music families of the late 70s and 80s. Additionally, the highly-anticipated film, Bobbi Kristina, is the made-for-TV biopic, inspired by the life of Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown's only child. The film stars Vivica A. Fox, Demetria McKinney, Hassan Johnson and Joy Rovaris in the title role.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: 'Days of our Lives' Actress Aloma Wright Previews 'Second Chance Christmas'

Days of our Lives actress Aloma Wright in Second Chance Christmas.
Photo courtesy of TV One.

A graduate of New York's prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Aloma Wright toured with "Ain't Misbehavin'," and "The Gospel Truth with Jennifer Holiday, Tramaine Hawkins and Johnny Brown. She won two Drama Logue Awards, one in 1996 for her role in "The Visit" under the direction of Ted Lange and the other in 1997 for her work in "From the Mississippi Delta." She was also nominated by the NAACP Image Awards for Best Actress in 1994 for "First Breeze of Summer" and again in 1997 for "Four Queens no Trump."

From 2001 to 2009 she starred in the hit primetime comedy Scrubs as Nurse Laverne Roberts and, later, as Nurse Shirley. Since 2008, she has played Nurse Maxine on NBC's daytime drama Days of our Lives.

On Saturday, December 6, she stars in the TV One holiday movie Second Chance Christmas with McKinley Freeman (Hit The Floor), Michael Rainey Jr. (Power), Robinne Lee (Being Mary Jane), Kandi Burruss (R&B Singer and The Real Housewives of Atlanta cast member), Durrell “Tank” Babbs (R&B singer) Ella Joyce (Roc), Golden Brooks (Hollywood Divas) and Rolonda Watts (Days of our Lives).

In Second Chance Christmas, Maisie (Lee) and her 13-year-old son Lawrence (Rainey Jr.) form a small, yet tight-knit family unit. Lawrence knows his mother doesn't have the easiest life as a single mother, but it makes him happy simply to know that she is there for him. His prayers for his mother to find happiness are answered when Malcolm (Freeman) marries Maisie. Yet ironically, Lawrence is indifferent to Malcolm and is certainly not afraid to wear his feelings on his sleeve. However, when a tragic car accident takes Maisie’s life, Lawrence and Malcolm must learn to lean on one other and get by with an important piece of their lives missing.

We Love Soaps recently spoke with Aloma Wright about her career and role in Second Chance Christmas. Read our exclusive interview below:

WE LOVE SOAPS: Second Chance Christmas tells the story of a young boy's struggle to accept his stepfather after the untimely and tragic death of his mother. How does your character fit into the story?
ALOMA WRIGHT: My character is the social worker who actually takes the boy from the stepfather. The stepfather makes a decision that the child is acting out and he can't handle him. He figures the best thing for him to do is let him go with his biological grandparents because of the loss of his mother. I'm the case worker that initiates the process.

'A Christmas Blessing' Premieres Tonight on TV One, Stars Lisa Arrindell Anderson, Omari Hardwick

A Christmas Blessing premieres on December 7 at 8 p.m. ET on TV One. Starring Lisa Arrindell Anderson (Madea’s Family Reunion) and Omari Hardwick (Verses and Flow), the movie tells the story two people struggling to make sense of the world.

Pamela (Arrindell Anderson) is a newly-widowed mother of four struggling to keep her life and family together in the face of a devastating loss. And then, into her life comes Earl (Hardwick), a man trying to deal with his divorce and the loss of custody of his sons. Together, the couple finds peace in each other’s company but will that blossom into something more?

Check out a sneak peek video below:

TV One Signs Five-Year Agreement to Broadcast the NAACP Image Awards

The NAACP, the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization and home of the prestigious NAACP Image Awards, has partnered with the TV One network in a new multi-media five year agreement.

Under the five-year contract, TV One becomes the television home for the association's awards show, beginning with the live airing of the "45th NAACP Image Awards" in February 2014. The multimedia partnership was jointly announced today by NAACP National Board of Directors Chairman Roslyn M. Brock and TV One Chairman and CEO / President of Radio One Alfred Liggins.

"Our new multi-faceted long-term partnership with TV One will bring expanded visibility and awareness of the NAACP and its important programs, such as the NAACP Image Awards," said NAACP's Brock. "TV One offers the resources and capabilities to reach audiences in today's broad media universe, therefore advancing the message of promoting and protecting human and civil rights."

'The Undershepherd' To Premiere March 30, Stars Isaiah Washington, Lamman Rucker

TV One presents the world television premiere of Russ Parr’s award-winning film The Undershepherd, starring Isaiah Washington (GREY'S ANATOMY), Lamman Rucker (AS THE WORLD TURNS), Malinda Williams (SOUL FOOD), Elise Neal (BELLES), Vanessa Bell Calloway (SHAMELESS), Clifton Powell (Ray), Bill Cobb (GO ON), Robinne Lee (Hitch), Keith David (Cloud Atlas) and Academy Award winner Louis Gossett, Jr. The thought-provoking film exploring the underbelly of power and corruption in the church premieres Saturday, March 30 at 8 p.m. ET and Sunday, March 31 at 5:30 p.m. ET exclusively on TV One.

Written, directed and executive produced by nationally syndicated radio personality and filmmaker Russ Parr, The Undershepherd tells the controversial tale of two ministers, who, although originally best friends and brothers in Christ, find their relationship tested by access to power, money and greed.