TV One to Present Stories of Perseverance, Love and Triumph with 2017-2018 Slate of Original Movies

TV One has announced its 4Q17-2018 slate of original movies, focusing on storytelling that will promote culturally authentic stories that inspire as well as entertain viewers and further strengthen the network's goal to be the premiere destination for relevant programming geared toward the African American community. "We are so excited to produce and present such a wide range of original films that expand the narrative of our community," said D'Angela Proctor, TV One's SVP, Original Programming & Production. "Because music is in our DNA, it plays an integral part of our original movie programming strategy."

Capitalizing on the success of last year's original movie offerings, TV One will produce a well-rounded offering of films ranging from bio-pics, historical films and holiday fare.

For the music lover, TV One celebrates three films inspired by musical artists, including Who Can I Run To: The Xscape Story, a film inspired by the R&B quartet's episode of Unsung, which was the most popular episode aired in the series' history. The film is being produced in partnership with legendary music producer and So So Def founder Jermaine Dupri, the label that produced Xscape's three platinum albums. All This Love: The DeBarge Family Story, based on the book, "Other Side of Pain" by Etterlene "Mama" DeBarge, focuses on the rise and fall of one of the most famous music families of the late 70s and 80s. Additionally, the highly-anticipated film, Bobbi Kristina, is the made-for-TV biopic, inspired by the life of Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown's only child. The film stars Vivica A. Fox, Demetria McKinney, Hassan Johnson and Joy Rovaris in the title role.

Previously, TV One turned heads when it produced the bio-pic on the life of acclaimed singer Miki Howard, inspired by her fan-favorite episode of Unsung. Similarly, the new film When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story, is a true crime tale inspired by an episode of the network's popular True Crime & Justice series, For My Man. Scheduled for a Labor Day premiere, the film marks the feature-length directorial debut for Tasha Smith (For Better Or Worse, Empire) and stars Lil Mama, Lance Gross, Tami Roman, Big Freedia, Lil Zane, and Floyd Mayweather.

In keeping it's goal to support the film community, aspiring writers and introduce new voices, TV One proudly presents Downsized, an original film written by Michelle McKissick, a 2016 TV One/ American Black Film Festival Screenwriting Competition finalist. Starring real-life couple Nicole Ari Parker and Boris Kodjoe, the film depicts a Suburban couple whose life is first thrown for a major loop when they become teenaged parents. Forced into a modern "shotgun" wedding, they must put their personal goals on hold in order to do what is best for their family.

Additionally, TV One will commemorate Black History Month with a film inspired by the life of a Civil Rights legend. Behind The Movement: The Rosa Parks Story depicts how Parks' refusal to give up her seat in the "whites only" section of a bus launched the history-making Montgomery Bus Boycott in December 1955.