Lifetime Sets Fall Premiere Dates, Plus Announces Deals With Toni Braxton & Queen Latifah

Lifetime continues to create thought-provoking storytelling that entertains and resonates with audiences with exciting new additions to its slate of movie and unscripted series that center on entertaining women.

The Lifetime Feature, The Bad Seed, starring and directed by Rob Lowe, will debut September 9, leading into Lifetime's newest scripted drama series, YOU. As the latest title in Lifetime's premium scripted slate, YOU hails from hitmaker Greg Berlanti and Sera Gamble. Based on the Caroline Kepnes bestseller, YOU is the story of a young man in love, willing to do whatever it takes to get the girl. YOU stars Penn Badgley (Gossip Girl) in his return to television, Elizabeth Lail (Once Upon a Time), Shay Mitchell (Pretty Little Liars) and features special guest star John Stamos (Fuller House).

Attracting some of the most respected entertainers, NEWSMAKERS and creators, Lifetime has signed major production deals with Queen Latifah and Toni Braxton for a mix of documentary specials and original movies beginning later this year. Queen Latifah takes her throne with two projects as the executive producer of the documentary, Where Did the Women of Hip Hop Go?, which tells the history of the pioneering female rappers in a world dominated by men and explores what the future holds for the next generation of female emcees, and the new one-hour special, U.N.I.T.Y., following Queen Latifah as she remakes her pivotal hit single from 1993. Straight off the success of Faith Under Fire which reached over 8 million viewers, Toni Braxton signs on for a multi-picture production deal with Lifetime. One of the movies will be the centerpiece of Lifetime's holiday programming block It's a Wonderful Lifetime as the network plans to greenlight 14 all-new original movies to debut this November and December.

"Both Queen Latifah and Toni Braxton have been part of the Lifetime family for many years and its proven that our audiences love them as much as we do and we are excited they will be back on the network for even more," said Tanya Lopez, EVP of Movies, Limited Series & Original Movie Acquisitions, Lifetime and LMN.

Lifetime bolsters its unscripted roster with two new series that dive deep into relationships with the docuseries Raising Tourette's following families with teens who must navigate life with Tourette Syndrome and Seatbelt Psychic, starring sought-after medium Thomas John as he provides insightful readings in a vehicle, to unsuspecting passengers. Also joining Lifetime's unscripted slate from sister network fyi, is season three of the hit series Seven Year Switch, where married couples embark on a journey to repair their relationships by partaking in a partner swap in hopes the experience enhances their marriage.

"Lifetime has been entertaining its viewers with some of the biggest reality franchises on the television landscape from DANCE MOMS to Little Women to Married at First Sight," said Gena McCarthy, EVP, Head of Programming Lifetime Unscripted and Head of Programming FYI. "We are igniting development now to deliver entertaining, destination content to our passionate audience."

FALL PREMIERE DATES

THE BAD SEED - Debuts September 9 @ 8pm

Executive producer, director and star Rob Lowe reimagines the iconic 1956 psychological horror film, The Bad Seed, with a new take on a cult classic. Lowe will star as a single father who seems to have everything under control. But when there is a terrible tragedy takes place at his daughter Emma's (Mckenna Grace) school, he is forced to question everything he thought he knew about his beloved daughter. He slowly begins to question if Emma's exemplary behavior is just a façade and she played a role in the horrific incident. When more strange things begin to happen, he's faced with keeping a terrible secret to protect Emma, but ultimately must stop her from striking again. Patty McCormack, who was the youngest actor ever nominated for Best Actress in the original, will play the psychiatrist who treats Emma. Mark Wolper, Rob Lowe and Elizabeth Stephen serve as executive producers. Lowe directed from a script by Barbara Marshall.

YOU - Debuts September 9 @ 10pm

Starring Penn Badgley, YOU is a 21st century love story that asks, "What would you do for love?" When a brilliant bookstore manager crosses paths with an aspiring writer, his answer becomes clear: anything. Using the internet and social media as his tools to gather the most intimate of details and get close to her, a charming and awkward crush quickly becomes obsession as he quietly and strategically removes every obstacle - and person - in his way. The series also stars Elizabeth Lail, Luca Padovan, Zach Cherry, and Shay Mitchell, with a special guest appearance by John Stamos. Greg Berlanti, Sera Gamble, Sarah Schechter, Leslie Morgenstein, Gina Girolamo, and Marcos Siega serve as executive producers. Executive producers Greg Berlanti and Sera Gamble also wrote the first episode of the series, which was directed/executive produced by Lee Toland Krieger. Based on Caroline Kepnes' best-selling novel of the same name, YOU is from Berlanti Productions, Man Sewing Dinosaur, and Alloy Entertainment in association with Warner Horizon Scripted Television and A&E Studios.

PRODUCTION DEALS

QUEEN LATIFAH

In addition to continuing as an executive producer on The Rap Game, Queen Latifah and her Flavor Unit producing partner Shakim Compere sign on for two new projects. In a new one-hour documentary special, U.N.I.T.Y. follows Queen Latifah's journey to remake her hit song with some of the top female artists of all time. The original single, released nearly 25 years ago, spoke out against the disrespect of women in society. Queen Latifah will also executive produce Where Did The Women In Hip Hop Go? (wt), a documentary centering on the female emcees that broke through in the male-dominated world of hip hop. The documentary will take a look at where these PIONEERS are now, and explore what the future holds for the new generation of female rappers.

TONI BRAXTON

Having executive produced her Lifetime biopic Toni Braxton: UnBreak My Heart and appeared in the highly successful movies, Faith Under Fire and Twist of Faith, Toni Braxton signs on for a multi-picture production deal with Lifetime. The first of the movies will be a holiday film, which will serve as the centerpiece of the network's It's a Wonderful Lifetime programming block which includes 14 all-new original movies to debut this November and December.

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