TV One Adds Monthly Original Movies To Calendar – TCA

Brad Siegel made his TV Press Tour debut as President of TV One, announcing the network will begin airing a monthly original film throughout the year, beginning this February. The first two originals: White Water and Hear No Evil. White Water, airing Saturday, February 7th at 8PM ET. The network announced premiere dates for two series as part of Black History Month: Unsung Hollywood launches its new season on Wednesday, February 11th at 8PM ET. Then, at 10PM ET, the network’s highest-rated docu-series, R&B Divas LA, adds Christina “Brave” Williams and Stacy Francis to the cast. Black History Month programming content also will include The 23rd Annual Trumpet Awards, honoring Jamie Foxx and Lou Brock among others, airing on Saturday, February 21st at 8PM ET, hosted by Laila Ali and Dolvette Quince, and the previously announced 46th NAACP Image Awards, hosted by Anthony Anderson, airing on Friday, February 6th at 9PM ET.

Details on TV One’s new films and returning series:

Hear No Evil
In this edge-of-your seat thriller, a freak accident jolts Shelby Carson (Jahnee Wallace) — a 15-year-old hearing impaired student — from her peaceful world of silence and seclusion into the world of the hearing. When she begins to hear messages from God, Shelby discovers that more than just her hearing was restored in the accident. Filled with chaos and confusion, Shelby struggles to cope with her newfound circumstances. She battles with what she should do with the knowledge of startling realities — including compromised health and well-being — facing the people around her. What initially seems to be a blessing on the surface could very well be a curse that unravels the bond between her dearest loved ones. Relationships are tested and secrets are revealed in this compelling story of family, faith and the resolve of a young girl.

Hear No Evil also stars Jill Marie Jones (Girlfriends) as Kate, Richard T. Jones (Why Did I Get Married?) as Samuel and Jackie Long (ATL) as Jason.

Russ Parr, from Up To Parr Productions, serves as the Director and Screenwriter. Eric Tomosunas serves as Producer. Lamar Chase is Producer for TV One. Executive In Charge of Production and Programming is Tia A. Smith. D’Angela Proctor serves as Executive Producer for the network.

White Water
Based on true events and set in Opelika, Alabama, during the summer of 1963, White Water is an imaginative tale of Michael (Amir and Amari O’Neil), a seven-year-old black child who becomes obsessed with the desire to taste water from the “whites only” drinking fountain. Michael sets out on a quest to do the unthinkable: to drink from it. His loving and protective mother, Annie (Sharon Leal), and free-spirited father, Terrance (Larenz Tate), learn of Michael’s obsession with tasting the “white water” and make several attempts to steer him away from this risky adventure. All of Michael’s friends, the local police and the KKK are also against Michael’s mission. His unwavering determination to ignore racial limitations leads him to finally understand the true dangers of his quest. During the film, Michael applies a child’s logic to decipher the conventions of racism. His insights are consistently more practical than the logic of the closed-minded adults that created the customs of the segregated South, but as Michael quickly matures, he must consider whether the risks involved are worth the reward.

White Water was Directed by Rusty Cundieff of White Water Productions. The film is produced by Dwayne Johnson-Cochran and the screenplay by Michael C. Brandy and Eric Stein. Jubba Seyyid serves as Executive in Charge of Production for TV One, and D’Angela Proctor is Executive Producer for the network.

R&B Divas LA
With continued success as the network’s most-watched series, R&B Divas LA has been picked up for a third season. Each episode will follow the cast of exceptional artists as they balance a series of personal matters while fighting to rise and stay on top of the R&B charts. Cast members Chanté Moore, Lil’ Mo, Michel’le, Chrisette Michele and Leela James reunite as this season introduces the story of two new Divas on the rise: Christina “Brave” Williams and Stacy Francis. The group will also show their philanthropic side as they use their musical talents for good by coming together to collaborate on a special charity project. The season will conclude with a two-part reunion special.

R&B Divas LA is produced for TV One by Thinkfactory Media. Executive Producers are Leslie Greif, Adam Reed, Adam Freeman, Phil Thornton, Paul Coy Allen, Aaron Fishman, Mykelle Sabin, Faith Evans and Nicci Gilbert. Lamar Chase is Producer for TV One.  Executive in Charge of Production is Jubba Seyyid. D’Angela Proctor is Head of Programming for the network.

Unsung Hollywood
Unsung Hollywood shines a spotlight on groundbreaking entertainers who devoted their lives to making their mark in movies, television, comedy and sports — and in the process, helped elevate and transform our world. This season will highlight the cult classic Baby Boy, aspirational college-hit TV series Different World and legendary comedian and actor Redd Foxx, with behind-the-spotlight stories that have never or rarely been told. Unsung Hollywood continues the legacy of the flagship series Unsung by being a vehicle in which to answer questions through in-depth personal interviews and exclusive footage, along with revelations from industry associates and loved ones. Season two of Unsung Hollywood will premiere on Wednesday, February 11th at 9PM/ET.

Unsung Hollywood is Executive Produced by Arthur Smith, Kent Weed, Mark Rowland, and Frank Sinton of A. Smith & Co. Production for TV One.  Henry Schipper is Co-Executive Producer. Lamar Chase serves as Producer for TV One.  Executive In Charge of Production is Robyn Greene Arrington. D’Angela Proctor is Head of Programming for the network.