TV One announced today the production on two new holiday movies: “Royal Family Thanksgiving” and “Royal Family Christmas.”
With an ensemble cast led by Vivica A. Fox, Romeo Miller, and Debbi Morgan, both films will follow a middle class family as they navigate the ups and downs of family relationships strained by the holiday season. Richard Lawson, Tichina Arnold and Ricky Harris co-star.
Both companion original movies are set to premiere later this year.
Here’s a break down of each. First “Royal Family Thanksgiving”:
Royalty in name and mind only, the Royal family led by patriarch Leighton (Richard Lawson) and matriarch Alfreda (Debbi Morgan), kick-off the first film, Royal Family Thanksgiving, with a fake break-up ruse to lure their overly-busy children home for Thanksgiving. Surprises and challenges ensue, including drama with Alfreda’s envious sister Mona Levi (Vivica A. Fox); the revelation of a deep, dark family secret involving Alfreda’s former acquaintance Chivonne Price (Tichina Arnold); and dealings with Leighton’s super-loud, outspoken cousin Nelson Royal (Ricky Harris). Unfortunately, Leighton and Alfreda both play their roles too well as old wounds are re-opened and their carefully planned reunion leads to chaos – and a potentially real break-up. “Royal Family Thanksgiving” premieres on TV One, Saturday, Nov. 21 at 8 p.m. ET.
In the sequel, “Royal Family Christmas,” the children Phillip “Flip” Royal (Romeo Miller), a good-looking spiritual guru; Austin Royal (Eric Myrick III), a Washington, D.C. community activist; Kelsey Royal (Chelsea Tavares), a fashion designer’s gopher; and Pamela Royal (Taquilla Whitfield), a hair and nail salon owner; join forces to reunite their parents in time for Christmas. They try every trick in the book – including “playing nice” and setting aside old sibling rivalries – only to learn their mom and dad are enjoying “the single life.” Their plan also goes awry as getting their parents back together ends up taking a back seat to their own personal and professional drama. Viewers can tune into TV One’s “Royal Family Christmas” debut on Saturday, Dec. 5 at 8 p.m. ET.
Additional members of the ensemble cast are Lulu Dahl as Austin’s crush Winifred Cox; Jonathan Ricardo Holloway as Pamela’s roughneck friend Brian “Brick” Walls; and Javon Van Anderson as Austin’s overly-eager and ambitious assistant Theo Johnson.
“Royal Family Thanksgiving” and “Royal Family Christmas” are currently shooting simultaneously in Detroit, Michigan. Both films are directed by Lance Kawas (“Paid in Full,” “Fractured”), written by Rhonda Freeman-Baraka (“To Hell and Back,” “For the Love of Ruth,” “Pastor Brown”),and produced for TV One by producer George Shamieh and executive producer Chevonne O’Shaughnessy of American Cinema International.
Source: Shadow & Act
