Freeform Begins Production in London on New Original Series GUILT

Production began this week in London, England, on Freeform's new original series "Guilt." The series is a co-production of Sea to Sky Entertainment (Lionsgate Television's Canadian joint venture with Thunderbird Films) and BV Family Productions. A story of murder, SCANDAL and intrigue stretching all the way from UNDERGROUND sex clubs to the highest levels of the royal family, set against the cosmopolitan backdrop of London, "Guilt" features an ensemble cast led by Billy Zane ("Titanic"), Emily Tremaine ("Vinyl"), Daisy Head ("The Syndicate"), Cristian Solmeno ("Rush"), Naomi Ryan ("Guardians of the Galaxy"), Kevin Ryan ("Copper"), Zachary Fall ("Crossing Lines"), Simona Brown ("The Casual Vacancy") and newcomer Sam Cassidy.

The definition of guilt is being responsible for wrongdoing or a crime. In the murder of Molly Ryan, many are guilty in different ways, but only one is truly guilty of her murder. When Natalie's sister Grace (Head) becomes the prime suspect in her roommate Molly's murder and popular target for the press and in social media, Natalie (Tremaine) leaves her life in Boston and heads to London to defend her. With the help of an ethically questionable ex-pat lawyer Stan Gutterie (Zane), Natalie starts to question how innocent her sister may really be as more ugly truths start to come out. In this one-hour soapy drama, the mystery will twist through all layers of London society - from a posh but depraved sex club and all the way up to the Royal Family itself.

"'Guilt' is our first series to start production under our new FreeForm banner and the perfect series to expand our programming slate," said Karey Burke, executive vice president, Programming and Development, Freeform. "This dark and twisted psychological thriller plays with the nature of guilt and goodness in a world where no one is who they seem to be. It will take our viewers on a roller coaster ride that will have them tuning in for more every week."

"We're excited to kick off production of 'Guilt' in London, the perfect setting for a series that involves international intrigue, royalty and salacious goings-on," said Chris Selak, executive vice president, Television, Lionsgate Television. "With our all-star cast led by Billy Zane, Daisy Head and Emily Tremaine, we look forward to creating a delicious whodunit that has viewers buzzing."

"Guilt" is written, created and executive-produced by Kathryn Price ("The Game Plan") and Nichole Millard ("The Game Plan"). Todd Slavkin and Darren Swimmer serve as writing executive producers, with Gary Fleder ("Kingdom," "Scorpion") and Larry Shaw ("Desperate Housewives") as executive producer directors. Stephen McPherson serves as executive producer. "Guilt" is a co-production of Sea to Sky Entertainment (the joint venture between Lionsgate Television and Thunderbird Films) and BV Family Productions, in association with Freeform. Gary Fleder directed the pilot.

About Freeform

Part of the Disney|ABC Television Group, FreeForm is distributed in 94 million homes. The network connects to audiences and goes beyond entertainment with bold original programming and immersive social engagement. The network delivers a unique mix of quality original and acquired series, plus fan favorite movies and the holiday events "13 Nights of Halloween" and "25 Days of Christmas." The FreeForm app is a service that allows viewers with participating TV subscription services access to 24/7 live viewing of the network, as well as continued on-demand access via a wide array of devices.

About Lionsgate

Lionsgate is a premier next generation global content leader with a strong and diversified presence in motion picture production and distribution, television programming and syndication, home entertainment, digital distribution, new channel platforms, video games and international distribution and sales. The Company has nearly 80 television shows on 40 different networks spanning its primetime production, distribution and Syndication businesses. These include the critically-acclaimed hit series "Orange is the New Black," the multiple Emmy Award-winning drama "Mad Men," the hit broadcast network series "Nashville," the Syndication successes "The Wendy Williams Show" and "Celebrity Name Game" (with FremantleMedia), the breakout series "The Royals" and the Golden Globe-nominated dramedy "Casual."

Its feature film business has been fueled by such successes as the blockbuster "Hunger Games" franchise, the first two installments of the "Divergent" franchise, "Sicario," "The Age of Adaline," CBS/Lionsgate's "The DUFF," "John Wick," "Now You See Me," Roadside Attractions' "Love & Mercy" and "Mr. Holmes," Lionsgate/Codeblack Films' "Addicted" and Pantelion Films' "Instructions Not Included," the highest-grossing Spanish-language film ever released in the U.S.

Lionsgate's home entertainment business is an industry leader in box office-to-DVD and box office-to-VOD revenue conversion rates. Lionsgate handles a prestigious and prolific library of approximately 16,000 motion picture and television titles that is an important source of recurring revenue and serves as the foundation for the growth of the company's core businesses. The Lionsgate and Summit brands remain synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the world. www.lionsgate.com

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