James Denton to Star in Hallmark Channel Original Movie STRANDED IN PARADISE, 8/9

Emmy(R) Award winner Vanessa Marcil ("General Hospital," "The Nanny Express") and James Denton ("Desperate Housewives") star in the romantic tropical escape, shot on location in Puerto Rico, and follows the story of a driven executive whose disastrous business trip to a beautiful island turns into an unexpected new beginning. "Stranded In Paradise," based on Lori Copeland's novel of the same name, will have its World Premiere on Hallmark Channel, Saturday, August 9 (9 p.m. ET/PT, 8C).

"Bringing Lori's novel to life on screen with this opportunity to film on location in Puerto Rico was picture-perfect for this project," said Michelle Vicary, Executive Vice President, Programming for Hallmark CHANNEL and Hallmark Movie Channel. "It's a great story for the network and we were pleased to give it the beautiful backdrop it deserves."

Tess Nelson (Marcil) is a poised and confident human resources executive who is aiming for a well-deserved promotion. But when her boss informs her she's being laid off instead, Tess is furious and worried about letting down her demanding mother, Mona (Cindy Pickett). Determined to use a business trip to an HR convention in Puerto Rico to score a new job, she is discouraged when the trip is a disaster from the start, and an approaching hurricane makes it impossible to fly home. But after bumping into a handsome fellow traveler, Carter (Denton), Tess opens up to the possibilities beyond her desk job, and the couple's adventures on the island bring them closer while the hurricane rolls in. With help from a fearless and friendly local, Stella (Gladys Rodríguez), Carter and Tess take shelter, and Tess sees taking an unanticipated risk could lead her to a happiness she never dreamed of, and a love that goes beyond a week in paradise.

"Stranded In Paradise" is written by Tracy Andreen. Based on the Women of Faith Fiction Club novel Stranded In Paradise by Lori Copeland. A Johnson Production Group movie, executive Producers are Maura Dunbar and Tim Johnson. Producers are Cynthia Graner and Frances Lausell. The film is directed by Bert Kish.

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Hallmark Channel, owned and operated by Crown Media Holdings, Inc., is a 24-hour basic cable network that provides a diverse slate of high-quality entertainment programming available in high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) to a national audience of 86 million subscribers. Hallmark CHANNEL is the nation's leading destination for quality family programming with an ambitious slate of TV movies; original scripted series, including Cedar Cove, When Calls the Heart, and Signed, Sealed, Delivered; specials such as Kitten Bowl; as well as some of television's most beloved sitcoms and series, including The Golden Girls, The Waltons, Little House on the Prairie, and Frasier. The channel is also home to Daytime Emmy-nominated lifestyle program, Home & Family, a daily two-hour live show shot in a fully functional house located on the Universal Studios lot. Hallmark Channel's sibling network, Hallmark Movie Channel, available in HD and SD, focuses on family-friendly movies with a mix of original films, classic theatrical releases, and presentations from the acclaimed Hallmark Hall of Fame library.

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