“Days of our Lives” alum True O’Brien is set to star in “Recipe for Romance,” one of six original primetime movies slated to premiere later this fall on The CW, inspired by beloved and bestselling Harlequin novels.
In the movie, would-be enemies turn into heartwarming lovers in the story of two warring businesses in Little Manila. Sari (O’Brien) is given the long overdue opportunity to prove herself when her parents head for vacation, placing the family’s coffee shop in her hands. Sari’s big plans are derailed when a bakery run by the annoyingly handsome and charming Gabe (Alex Mallari Jr., “The Adam Project”) opens right next door. This launches a prank war to end all prank wars, bringing Sari and Gabe together in a story of love, family, community, and irresistibly delicious pastries. In the week leading up to the big Little Manila Festival, the two competitors clash, kiss, and make up as they navigate their desire for each other and their success.
From Centinel Media, in association with Harlequin Studios and Bell Media, “Recipe for Romance” is produced by Circle Blue Entertainment and based on the Harlequin novel “Sweet on You” by Carla de Guzman. Arnie Zipursky, Dayna Zipursky, Floyd Kane, Amos Adetuyi, Brent Lewis, Dianne Moggy, Craig Cegielski and Susan Oman Gross serve as executive producers. For Fremantle, Bob McCourt serves as Executive in Charge of Production and Michela DiMondo executive produces. The film is directed by Kelly Fyffe-Marshall with a teleplay by Nathalie Younglai and Shelley Scarrow. The film is distributed internationally by FOX Entertainment Global.
In addition to O’Brien, the Harlequin-inspired movie slate will also feature fan-favorite stars from some of the network’s most memorable shows, including “Gossip Girl,” “Walker: Independence” and “The Flash.”
To kick off the lineup, The CW has teamed up with Fathom Entertainment, the leading specialty distributor of content to theatrical partners worldwide, to premiere the first movie, “Montana Mavericks,” in select theatres nationwide on Tuesday, August 26 and Wednesday, August 27, giving fans an early, big-screen experience before its television debut.
According to a logline, “Montana Mavericks” stars Katherine McNamara (“Walker: Independence”) as a New York City girl named Heather, a best-selling author on a mission to conquer writer’s block, trying to avoid paying back an advance on her next book. Her plans take a sudden swerve when she inherits a family ranch in Montana. With her two best friends, Heather heads out for a “Yellowstone” adventure, intent on a quick sale but is blindsided by both the ranch’s dilapidated condition and by Cliff (Dennis Andres, “Workin’ Moms”), the charming cowboy veterinarian next door who challenges her big-city ideals. Heather and her friends find more than they bargained for in this big sky adventure. Linda Kee (“Black Summer”) and Kaya Coleman (“Beyond Black Beauty”) also star.
“The CW has been building a passionate weekend audience of movie lovers, and this new slate of original films is for romance fans everywhere,” said Heather Olander, head of the network’s scripted and unscripted content. “These feel-good stories, inspired by hugely successful blockbuster Harlequin novels, are the perfect blend of nostalgia and escapism, and thanks to our exciting partnership with Fathom Entertainment, we’re thrilled to bring these films to the big screen first—giving fans the chance to laugh, swoon, and fall in love, together in theaters this summer,” she added.
This season, The CW is experiencing growth with its movie telecasts and original documentaries, reaching more than 26 million viewers, proving that an original movie slate is the way to go for the network as it looks to attract a broader audience.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Centinel Media, The CW Network and Fathom Entertainment to bring Harlequin’s great love stories to life on the big and small screens,” shared Brent Lewis, EVP and Publisher, Harlequin. “This is an exciting opportunity to tell the incredible stories of our authors in a new medium to millions of Harlequin fans and new audiences alike.”
“Fathom Entertainment prides itself on building innovative partnerships to bring quality content to theaters and experience the magic of the big screen. ‘Montana Mavericks’ brings legions of fans from the highly successful Harlequin franchise, and Fathom looks forward to working in collaboration for the first time with Nexstar and its team at The CW for this highly anticipated project,” commented Ray Nutt, Chief Executive Officer at Fathom Entertainment.
In addition to “Recipe for Romance” and “Montana Mavericks,” the movie slate also includes “Ordinary Girl in a Tiara,” “Paws in the City,” “Savvy Sheldon Feels Good As Hell” and “Second Guessing Fate.”
ORDINARY GIRL IN A TIARA
When vintage fashion devotee Caro Cartwright (Katharine King So, “Transplant”) agrees to harbor her childhood nemesis turned couture heiress Philippa Levreaux (Kathryn Gallagher, “Gossip Girl”), fireworks explode. Despite—or perhaps because of—their differences, these two women help each other wrangle the challenges around them to find a way forward, be their best selves, and fulfill their dreams. This tale of style and moxie proves that opposites not only attract but can enrich the lives of anyone willing to take a chance on themselves and on true love.
From Centinel Media, in association with Harlequin Studios and Bell Media, “Ordinary Girl in a Tiara” is produced by Neshama Entertainment and inspired by the Harlequin novel “Ordinary Girl in a Tiara” by Jessica Hart. Arnie Zipursky, Dayna Zipursky, Mitch Geddes, Suzanne Berger, Lauren MacKinlay, Brent Lewis, Dianne Moggy, Craig Cegielski and Susan Oman Gross serve as executive producers. For Fremantle, Bob McCourt serves as Executive in Charge of Production and Michela DiMondo executive produces. The film is written by Lisa Rose Snow and directed by Meeshelle Neal. The film is distributed internationally by FOX Entertainment Global.
PAWS IN THE CITY
Issa (Emeraude Toubia, “Shadowhunters”) is a social media whiz on the rise. But when a mishap on her watch accidentally ruins a young starlet’s career, making Issa the most unemployable social media manager in Manhattan, she has no choice but to take the first job she can find — caring for Camila, a glossy-maned and capricious dachshund diva. While ferrying Camila from playdates to pet psychics, Issa realizes the dog’s bark is worse than her bite — much like Camila’s attractive, yet reclusive owner, Theo (Carter Jenkins, “Famous in Love”). What starts as a way to keep a roof over her and her 14-year-old sister’s heads turns into an opportunity for Issa to showcase her skills and reunite her family; it also might be the key to her success in life and love.
From Centinel Media, in association with Harlequin Studios and Bell Media, “Paws in the City” is produced by Neshama Entertainment and based on the Harlequin novel “The Dachshund Wears Prada” by Stefanie London. Arnie Zipursky, Dayna Zipursky, Mitch Geddes, Suzanne Berger, Lauren MacKinlay, Brent Lewis, Dianne Moggy, Craig Cegielski and Susan Oman Gross serve as executive producers. For Fremantle, Bob McCourt serves as Executive in Charge of Production and Michela DiMondo executive produces. The film is written by Andrea Martinez Crowther and directed by John L’Ecuyer. The film is distributed internationally by FOX Entertainment Global.
SAVVY SHELDON FEELS GOOD AS HELL
Savvy Sheldon (Amber Riley, “Glee”) is juggling a lot—a high-stress/low-thanks job, a situationship that has run its course, and the love-worn kitchen she inherited from her cherished grandma, who left Savvy her love of cooking and a treasure trove of recipes. Supported by her ride or die mom and best friend, Savvy decides to take control of her destiny and sets out on some renovations, from her career to her kitchen. Isaiah (Dorian Grey, “Transplant”), the dashing contractor, falls for more than Savvy’s delectable cuisine and may just be the secret ingredient to heating Savvy’s love life, even as she finds her true calling. Nadine Whiteman (“Designated Survivor”) and Malaika Hennie-Hamadi (“Bria Mack Gets a Life”) also star.
From Centinel Media, in association with Harlequin Studios and Bell Media, “Savvy Sheldon Feels Good As Hell” is produced by Neshama Entertainment in association with Circle Blue Entertainment and based on the Harlequin novel “Savvy Sheldon Feels Good as Hell” by Taj McCoy. Arnie Zipursky, Dayna Zipursky, Floyd Kane, Amos Adetuyi, Vinuja Shanthasoruban, Suzanne Berger, Brent Lewis, Dianne Moggy, Craig Cegielski and Susan Oman Gross serve as executive producers. For Fremantle, Bob McCourt serves as Executive in Charge of Production and Michela DiMondo executive produces. The film is written by Miriam van Emst and Shelley Scarrow and directed by Samantha MacAdam. The film is distributed internationally by FOX Entertainment Global.
SECOND GUESSING FATE
Gemma (Danielle Panabaker, “The Flash”) is a successful event planner with a full life. She has pretty much given up on dating until a fortune teller mysteriously shows up at one of her perfectly planned parties and predicts that Gemma is one last horrible date away from true love. When Gemma goes on what she hopes is her last blind date with Nick (Corey Sevier, “Immortals”), anything and everything goes wrong, including crashing her car into a handsome, wealthy stranger, Enzo (Brendan Morgan, “The Handmaid’s Tale”). When the fortune teller’s predictions start to materialize, once cynical Gemma is ready to take a leap of faith. But is Gemma misreading the signs? Only fate knows what’s in store for her. Jocelyn Chugg (“Me and Mr. Christmas”) and Ari Rombough (“The Last of Us”) also star.
From Centinel Media, in association with Harlequin Studios and Bell Media, “Second Guessing Fate” is produced by Neshama Entertainment and based on the Harlequin novel “Second Guessing Fate” by Claire Robyns. Arnie Zipursky, Dayna Zipursky, Ian Malone, Suzanne Berger, Lauren MacKinlay, Brent Lewis, Dianne Moggy, Craig Cegielski and Susan Oman Gross serve as executive producers. For Fremantle, Bob McCourt serves as Executive in Charge of Production and Michela DiMondo executive produces. The film is directed by Stefan Brogren with a teleplay by Alexandra Mircheff and Shelley Scarrow. The film is distributed internationally by FOX Entertainment Global.