ON TV: What to know about Lifetime movies based on VC Andrews ‘Dawn Cutler’ novels
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The new limited series, “VC Andrews’ Dawn,” released as a four-part movie event, is based on author V.C. Andrews’ Dawn Cutler novels.
The series started July 8 and runs through July 29. Descriptions of each movie are below, but first, here’s what to know about the series.
▪ Who stars in “VC Andrews’ Dawn”? The movie series stars Brec Bassinger as Dawn Longchamp / Eugenia Grace Cutler, Donna Mills as Lillian Cutler, Joey McIntyre as Michael Sutton, Jesse Metcalfe as Ormand Longchamp, Khobe Clarke as Jimmy Longchamp and Fran Drescher as Agnes Morris.
▪ The plot of “Dawn” on Lifetime: “’Dawn’ follows the story of Dawn Longchamp (Bassinger), who after growing up in humble surroundings with a very hardworking family including her devoted father Ormand (Metcalfe) and older brother Jimmy (Clarke), suddenly has everything she loves ripped away from her. After discovering the shocking truth about the people who raised her, she is thrust into a new family whose dark and twisted secrets change the course of her life forever.
“As Dawn struggles to fit in, her wicked grandmother Lillian Cutler (Mills) rules her life with an iron fist and inflicts cruel punishments when Dawn does not follow her strict orders. When Dawn finds herself entrenched in the mysteries surrounding the family, it becomes clear that a dark and inescapable curse looms over the Cutlers.”
▪ Novels vs. movies: “Dawn” was a novel started by Andrews, most known for the “Flowers in the Attic” series, and finished by ghostwriter Andrew Neiderman after her death. It’s the first of five novels in the Dawn Cutler series.
The Lifetime movie series is based on the first four novels: “Dawn,” “Secrets of the Morning” (July 15), “Twilight’s Child” (July 22) and “Midnight Whispers” (July 29).
▪ How to watch “Dawn”: “V.C. Andrews’ Dawn” premieres on Lifetime at 8 p.m., Saturday, July 8. New movies will premiere each Saturday night throughout July.
▪ How to watch other VC Andrews movies: 18 previous V.C. Andrews movies and limited series are available on MyLifetime.com, the Lifetime App and on demand. Lifetime Movie Club currently features titles from Lifetime’s full V.C. Andrews movie/series library.
VC Andrews’ Dawn: Movie series schedule and descriptions
Below is the info from Lifetime about the latest VC Andrews movie series.
▪ Part 1: Dawn (Premieres Saturday, July 8 at 8 p.m. ET)
“This movie follows the story of Dawn Longchamp (Bassinger), who after growing up in humble surroundings with a very hardworking family including her devoted father Ormand (Metcalfe) and older brother Jimmy (Clarke), suddenly has everything she loves ripped away from her. After discovering the shocking truth about the people who raised her, she is thrust into a new family whose dark and twisted secrets change the course of her life forever. As Dawn struggles to fit in, her wicked grandmother Lillian Cutler (Mills) rules her life with an iron fist and inflicts cruel punishments when Dawn does not follow her strict orders. When Dawn finds herself entrenched in the mysteries surrounding the family, it becomes clear that a dark and inescapable curse looms over the Cutlers.”
▪ Part 2: Secrets of the Morning (Premiere Saturday, July 15 at 8 p.m. ET)
“After disturbing details of Dawn’s (Bassinger) past are revealed, she finally has the upper hand with her grandmother Lilian (Mills) and orchestrates her move to New York City to attend the best performing arts school. While residing in a boarding house run by headmistress and aging actress, Agnes Morris (Drescher), Dawn still dreams about Jimmy and the anguished secrets they share. But when Michael Sutton (McIntyre) arrives---a new teacher and Broadway star, he sets his sights on Dawn. Dawn falls under his seductive spell but when he suddenly disappears, Dawn is once again at the mercy of her grandmother’s twisted schemes.”
▪ Part 3: Twilight’s Child (Premieres Saturday, July 22 at 8 p.m. ET)
“After being reunited with Jimmy, Dawn is finally free and blissfully happy as Mrs. Longchamp, a wife and mother to her beautiful baby girl, Christie . When Dawn becomes the rightful owner of Cutler’s Cove Hotel, she’s able to turn the business around but can’t seem to escape her grandmother presence and can feel her vengeance from the grave. When Dawn discovers that her brother Philip is still obsessed with her and her spiteful sister Clara’s rage explodes into violence, threatening Dawn’s dream once again.”
▪ Part 4: Midnight Whispers (Premieres Saturday, July 29 at 8 p.m. ET)
“Though Dawn’s daughter Christie (Best) has grown up in a loving home, Christie can feel the dark presence over her and soon is engulfed by a tragic family death. As she looks for solace, she is further shocked to discover her Uncle Philip’s secrets. Fleeing to New York City, she finds her real father and turns to Jimmy’s stepbrother Gavin, who flees with her to The Meadows, the plantation where Christie was born….but The Meadows is blighted by its own dark secrets. Will Christie finally unlock her families’ troubled past and escape the curse that has haunted them for decades?”
Some programming descriptions are provided by networks.
This story was originally published July 8, 2023 at 7:10 AM with the headline "ON TV: What to know about Lifetime movies based on VC Andrews ‘Dawn Cutler’ novels."
