‘Flowers in the Attic’ Prequel Miniseries Is Definitely Happening at Lifetime
Lifetime is revisiting V.C. Andrews’ tales of gothic family drama. The network is planning a prequel to its popular movie Flowers in the Attic, which was based on the author’s scandalous 1979 bestseller. The four-part Flowers in the Attic: The Origin miniseries will tell the story of Olivia and Malcolm Foxworth, the parents of Corrine Dollanganger and the grandparents of Cathy and Chris.
Lifetime has already adapted four other books in the ‘Flowers in the Attic’ series
Flowers in the Attic aired in 2014 and starred Heather Graham, Kiernan Shipka, and Ellen Burstyn. Graham starred as Corrine, a widow who moves with her four children to live with her wealthy, estranged parents. After they arrive at Foxworth Hall, Corrine’s mother Olivia (Burstyn) imprisons the children in the attic.
Three sequels about members of the Dollanganger family followed: Petals on the Wind, If There Be Thorns, and Seeds of Yesterday. The network has also aired movies based on books in Andrews’ Casteel (Heaven) and Landry (Ruby) family series.
The ‘Flowers in the Attic’ prequel will be based on ‘Garden of Shadows’
Flowers in the Attic: The Origin will be based on the 1987 book Garden of Shadows. It’s the last of five books in the Dollanganger family series, and the first written by Andrews’ ghostwriter Andrew Neiderman.
The miniseries “peels back the curtain to reveal the twisted origins and dark secrets of the Foxworth family,” according to Lifetime. It tells the story of Olivia Winfield, a “headstrong and determined” girl who catches the eye of Malcolm Foxworth, one of the most eligible bachelors in America.
After a whirlwind romance, Olivia finds herself as the mistress of the imposing Foxworth Hall, where she soon discovers that the fairytale life she expected has quickly become a nightmare. Under Malcolm’s debonair exterior lies a dark heart, and a twisted evil lurks inside Foxworth Hall that will threaten Olivia’s happiness and that of her children. Her attempts to keep them all safe ultimately push Olivia to become the most terrifying version of herself, leading to her inevitable — and notorious — decision to lock her grandchildren in the attic.
‘Flower in the Attic: The Origin’ cast includes Max Irons, Kelsey Grammer
Lifetime has assembled a star-studded cast for its Flowers in the Attic prequel.
Jemima Rooper will star as Olivia, while Max Irons will portray Malcolm Foxworth. Mad Men’s Harry Hamlin will appear as Olivia’s beloved father. Frasier’s Kelsey Grammer plays Malcolm’s imposing father Garland Foxworth. T’Shan Williams plays Foxworth Hall’s observant housekeeper Nella, while Kate Mulgrew is Mrs. Steiner, the head of the estate’s staff.
Paul Wesley plays Olivia’s cousin John Amos and Alana Boden is Garland’s new wife Alicia. Callum Kerr will play Christopher, a close relative of the Foxworth family. His life becomes entwined with that of Olivia’s daughter Corrine (Hannah Dodd).
An air date for Flowers in the Attic: The Origin has not yet been announced.
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