Ralph Waite Stars in Original INSP Drama, OLD HENRY, 10/24
By: Caryn Robbins Oct. 08, 2013
In a poignant drama that respectfully confronts the subject of aging in America, INSP is set to air a 30-minute special entitled Old Henry. Starring one of America's top TV dads, Ralph Waite (The Waltons), the 30 minute special will premiere on Thursday, October 24th at 7PM. The announcement was made today by INSP's SVP of Programming, Doug Butts.
"We all deal with aging," said Butts. "Whether parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, or neighbors - there's a universal impact when those we love advance in years. Old Henry tackles the youth-oriented culture in which we live in a way that shows dignity and honor to the elders among us. We're very proud of the production and are confident that audiences will find it touching and inspirational."
Ralph Waite agrees. "After reading the script, I was hooked," said Waite. "I knew I wanted to be a part of the message Old Henry sends to people of all ages. It's written so honestly, directly and sweetly that I was immediately attracted to the character. Henry is a nice old guy who is struggling with the trials that happen to us all later in life."
An INSP original, Old Henry was initially produced as a series of six short-form programs airing as interstitials. The 30-minute version incorporates the entire series along with never before seen footage and exclusive interviews. Both the short-form and full-length programs were written, directed, and produced by Thomas Torrey, V.P. of Short Form Programming for INSP. Executive Producer was Jim Goss, SVP Creative Services, On-Air Promotions, and Short-Form Programming.
Rising star Rachel Hendrix plays Henry's co-star, Jessica. Hendrix garnered national acclaim for her inaugural leading role in the 2011 award-wining film, October Baby.
"Rachel has a freshness about her," said Torrey. "She's genuine and audiences pick up on that. On the set, she and Ralph enjoyed an immediate connection. Nothing felt contrived; the story unfolded organically. It was a director's dream."
Immediately following Old Henry, viewers can join Ralph Waite, Earl Hamner and others in the cast for an INSP original, "A Waltons Family Reunion."
INSP is available in more than 75 million households across the U.S. via cable, DIRECTV (channel 364), Dish (channel 259), AT&T U-verse (channel 564) and Verizon FiOS (channel 286). Viewers can find INSP channel information here. For quality dramas, positive entertainment and inspiring stories, celebrating the American spirit and honoring timeless traditional values, it's INSP. Welcome Home!
Henry (Ralph Waite, The Waltons) is a man in his 80s dealing with the challenges of aging in a society that has moved on without him. When he makes a new friend in Jessica (Rachel Hendrix, October Baby), a woman in her 20s who shows him a respect and honor absent from the world around him, Henry finds a new perspective on life, and in turn becomes an inspiration to Jessica.
About The Inspiration Networks
The Inspiration Networks is a family of cable, telco and satellite-delivered networks available to more than 155 million households worldwide. The flagship network, INSP, reaches more than 75 million U.S. households with a classic line-up of family entertainment and ranks among the fastest-growing basic cable networks in America. To learn more, visit www.insp.com.
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