I didn’t want to admit it, but now that OWN’s Greenleaf has ended, I must admit that Uncle Mac, as evil and depraved as he was, was my favorite character. And unless I’ve somehow missed it, I haven’t seen GregAlan Williams, the actor who masterfully portrayed Uncle Mac, on television since. (Aside: if you missed my interview of GregAlan Williams, check it out HERE.)
But he’s coming back to television via Lifetime! GregAlan Williams will portray Elijah in the upcoming Lifetime movie Envy, which is based on the novel of the same name by my sorority sister novelist Victoria Christopher Murray! Her novels Lust, Greed and Wrath will also be made into Lifetime movies! The air date for Envy hasn’t been announced yet, but you know I will keep you in the loop! Below is the synopsis for Envy followed by Victoria’s FB post about Envy below…
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
Gabrielle Wilson has the perfect life: a Beverly Hills mansion, a loving family, and a massively successful PR firm. When her father admits that an affair he had years before resulted in a daughter, Gabrielle is shocked, but is actually happy. Could this be the sister she has been praying for all her life?
Keisha Jones’s life is a struggle. Her late mother worked on the streets, and school was its own nightmare. When Gabrielle offers to fly Keisha out of Arkansas to meet the family, Keisha instantly agrees. But Gabrielle doesn’t realize that Keisha has known about the Wilsons for years. Keisha is determined to have everything she has always envied, and nothing can stand in her way.
ENVY filming has wrapped! LUST begins today and I’ll share that cast soon!
And yes, they will do GREED and WRATH next,…
And in other book to film news, novelist Tiffany L. Warren, who graciously allowed me to interview her for my first book, will see her book The Favorite Sonon BET in 2021! Jonathan McReynolds and Anthony Evans Jr. are among the stars who will be in the film. Below is the synopsis of The Favorite Son followed by two of her jubilant posts about the upcoming movie!
Do family, faith–and fame–go together?
They’re handsome, smart, and musically gifted. Brothers Camden and Blaine Wilson have put their talents together and founded a gospel group. The quieter one, Camden is the songwriter, while charismatic Blaine is the performer. At first, their Reverend father is against the idea–until Blaine, his favorite, wows the congregation at a church revival. Sure enough, once the reverend witnesses their effect on the crowd he wants them there every Sunday. But he may have set the stage for trouble. . .
As the group’s popularity grows, so do the groupies–and promiscuous Blaine is more than happy to share his love. Gigs across the country, meetings with music execs, a chance to sign with a major label, and a sexy new band member bring new connections–and dangerous new temptations. Soon, a slew of rumors and a shocking betrayal threaten to destroy the group–and the brothers’ relationship. But one event is going to rock their world forever. Do they have enough faith, forgiveness, and brotherly love left to find harmony once more?…
Meet the Wilsons! Blaine, Camden, Pastor B.C., First Lady and Dawn. Yes, gospel fans, that is Jonathan McReynolds!!!!!…
OWN Celebrates the Holidays With Three Original Christmas Movies Premiering TONIGHT
Hello World,
If you’re missing some of your favorite stars from OWN’s “Greenleaf” like I am, we can at least see Jacob very soon!
OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network will continue its holiday tradition this season with three new original Christmas movies coming to the network Tuesdays at 9 p.m. starting TONIGHT! “A Christmas For Mary,” starring Vivica A. Fox and Jackée Harry, will premiere on December 8; “Cooking Up Christmas,” starring “Greenleaf’s” Lamman Rucker and Meagan Holder, will premiere on December 15; and “Har,” starring Idara Victor and Tonea Stewart, will premiere on December 22.
“Following the overwhelming success of our inaugural holiday movie slate last year, we’re excited to announce all-new movies with heartwarming storylines the whole family can enjoy,” said Tina Perry, president, OWN. “We hope that viewers will continue to make watching our movies together a part of their ongoing holiday traditions.”
About the Holiday Movies:
“A Christmas For Mary” premieres Tuesday, December 8 at 9 p.m. ET/PT Vivica A. Fox stars with Jackée Harry and Morgan Dixon (“Being Mary Jane”) in a holiday tale of rediscovery and renewal when up-and-coming journalist Lena Jones (Dixon) is tasked with delivering a story by Christmas that will wow her boss, magazine editor Vivian Vaye (Fox), who is dangling a promotion to head writer over Lena’s head. Intrigued by a portrait of a mysterious woman painted by her late grandfather, Lena journeys to the small town of Pineville, where with her mother, Deborah’s (Harry) blessing and support, Lena uncovers a long-ago forgotten tale of young love that not only uncovers cherished memories of the past, but also inspires Lena to follow her heart and find her own true love … and her perfect Christmas story. “A Christmas For Mary” is produced for OWN by Hybrid and executive produced by Vivica A. Fox in association with Harpo Films.
“Cooking Up Christmas” premieres Tuesday, December 15 at 9 p.m. ET/PT Meagan Holder (“Pitch”) stars in this family-centric holiday story as Chloe, an Atlanta-based chef at a fine dining restaurant who gets fired just weeks before Christmas and reluctantly takes a job with pro baseball player Donovan Jackson (OWN’s “Greenleaf” star Lamman Rucker), who is a single dad of three needing a live-in-chef to get him through the holidays with the kids. Chloe only takes the job in order to save up enough capital to live out her dream of opening her own restaurant, but soon finds herself caught up in the ups and downs of the Jacksons encounter during her residency.
Throughout the holiday season in the Jackson household the importance of family and Chloe’s good Southern cooking are two constants that remain. As Christmas comes to an end, Chloe discovers that her lifelong dream might finally come true… and that her heart has a mind of its own. “Cooking Up Christmas” also stars Jen Harper and Laparee Young from OWN’s “Greenleaf” and Lindsey Amani Blackwell from OWN’s “David Makes Man.” “Cooking Up Christmas” is produced for OWN by MarVista in association with Harpo Films. Executive produced by Roger M. Bobb, Lamman Rucker, Megan Ellstrom, Larry Grimaldi, Hannah Pillemer and Fernando Szew.
Below is a snippet of an OWN interview in which Lamman Rucker discusses “Cooking Up Christmas” and more:
“First Christmas” premieres Tuesday, December 22 at 9 p.m. ET/PT
Given up for adoption and placed in foster care at a young age, writer Halle Downing (Idara Victor, “Alita: Battle Angel”) receives the blessing of a lifetime when she is invited to spend Christmas in New Orleans with the biological family she never knew she had – The Moores. Halle’s grandmother “Memaw” (Tonea Stewart, “A Time to Kill”) welcomes the young woman with open arms, completely overwhelming Halle with emotion at the significance of finally finding her family. Extremely excited to meet her twin siblings Tiffany (Samantha Smith, “Welcome Home, Roscoe Jenkins”) and Glenn (Mason Beauchamp, “NCIS: New Orleans”) along with younger brother Drew (Peyton Jackson, “Nobody’s Fool”) for the first time, Halle soon faces the hard reality that finding her place in this close-knit family is going to take longer than she thought, something that becomes particularly evident when she witnesses Tiffany’s apprehension about introducing her new girlfriend Paris (Amanda Tavarez, “Queen Sugar”) to the family for the first time.
However, as Christmas approaches, Halle begins to gain perspective on the Moore family dynamic and ultimately comes to embrace and celebrate her first family holiday with a special gift that tells her she is right where she is supposed to be. “First Christmas” is produced for OWN by MarVista in association with Harpo Films. Executive produced by Tia Mowry, Tiegen Kosiak, Todd Y. Murata, Larry Grimaldi, Hannah Pillemer and Fernando Szew.
I’m so excited about these OWN Christmas movies! What about you?
But he’s coming back to television via Lifetime! GregAlan Williams will portray Elijah in the upcoming Lifetime movie Envy, which is based on the 
“First Christmas” premieres Tuesday, December 22 at 9 p.m. ET/PT