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Melissa Joan Hart will star in and executive produce a new Lifetime thriller, “Killing the Competition,” TheWrap can reveal exclusively.

The juicy thriller, which debuts Saturday, March 1, at 8 p.m. Et, stars Hart as Elizabeth Fenwick, a loving mother in her 40s who becomes enraged after her daughter is cut from her alma mater’s dance team. Hart also serves as an EP on the movie via her company Hartbreak Films.

Inspired by actual events, “Killing the Competition” follows Elizabeth, who was once her high school’s star dancer and prom queen, as she and her husband, Steve (Eddie Mills), help craft a similar path for their daughter, Grace (Lily Brooks O’Briant).

When Grace doesn’t make the team, however, Elizabeth becomes obsessed with the star of the dance team, Hannah (Valerie Loo), and her mother Nicole (Anzu Lawson), and eventually becomes involved in a shocking kidnapping plot.

“Killing the...

Exclusive: Lifetime has ordered three original thrillers –Single Black Female, Line Sisters and Vanished: Searching for My Sister – all set for a winter 2022 premiere.

Amber Riley, LeToya Luckett and Tatyana Ali are among the actresses set to show off their thriller chops in the newly ordered Lifetime movies. Read below for the descriptions of Single Black Female, Line Sisters and Vanished: Searching for My Sister, respectively.

Single Black Female hails from director Shari Carpenter and writers Tessa Evelyn Scott and Sa’Rah L. Jones. The thriller stars Amber Riley and Raven Goodwin. Reeling from the death of her beloved father and a difficult breakup, Monica (Goodwin), is ready to move forward with her life as she tries to land the new hosting job for an afternoon talk show. When she hires a new assistant, Simone (Riley), the two quickly become close friends as Simone moves in next door and completely...

Chicago – The stylings of author Zane, who has dominated the best seller list and pay cable networks for several years with her steamy and sensually oriented stories, gets to the big screen with the recently released “Addicted.” Actors Boris Kodjoe and Tyson Beckford are part of the ensemble cast.

“Addicted” is the story of Zoe (Sharon Leal), whose life seems perfect with her husband Jason (Boris Kodjoe) and three children. There is something missing from her life, however, and she begins a series of affairs with other men. This leads to an addiction with the thrill of the hunt and capture, and the number of conquests puts her on a dangerous path that could cost Zoe her husband, family and perhaps her life.

Boris Kodjoe in ‘Addicted’

Photo credit: Lionsgate

Boris Kodjoe is a former college athlete (tennis) who became a model and actor after a back injury sidelined his sports ambition.

With its story of a married woman led astray into an affair by her sex addiction, “Addicted” doesn't fail because it wants to provide steamy, soapy melodrama to a mainstream audience; its faults are a function of its judgment, not of its genre. Adapting the work of the best-selling author Zane (aka Kristina Roberts), director Bille Woodruff (“Honey,” “Beauty Shop”) is trapped by Christina Welsh and Ernie Barbarash's script. The material swings between the sensual and the puritanical with whiplash-inducing speed; the dialogue all too often has the flat, dead sound of a first draft. Also read: ‘Nymphomaniac, Vols.

Here are 4 new clips from Lionsgate's/Codeblack's upcoming adaptation of erotic fiction writer Zane's popular novel "Addicted," which follows the trials and tribulations of a professional African American woman with a sex addiction. Directed by Bille Woodruff, from a script penned by Christina Welsh and Ernie Barbarash, the film stars Sharon Lean as Zoe Reynard, who's married to the man she has loved since childhood (played by Boris Kodjoe), has 2 wonderful children, and enjoys a thriving professional life, but feels helpless in the grip of an overpowering addiction... to sex. Finding a therapist to help her, Zoe finally finds the courage to tell her...

Boris Kodjoe and Sharon Leal steam up this already-steamy shower scene from the upcoming film “Addicted.” The film, also starring Tasha Smith, Tyson Beckford, Kat Graham and William Levy, is based on the best-selling novel by Zane and focuses on one woman’s story about how a person who seems to have it all can still have temptations that lie below the surface that just might bubble up and cause havoc. The adapted screenplay is written by Christina Welsh and Ernie Barbarash. Fathom Events and Lionsgate/Codeblack Films are offering fans of “Addicted” a one-time special live event, “Addicted: Live with Zane.” The event will take place in select theaters nationwide Thursday, [ Read More ]

The post Boris Kodjoe and Sharon Leal Share Hot Shower Scene in Addicted appeared first on Shockya.com.

Here's a new scene from Lionsgate's/Codeblack's upcoming adaptation of erotic fiction writer Zane's popular novel "Addicted," which follows the trials and tribulations of a professional African American woman with a sex addiction. Directed by Bille Woodruff, from a script penned by Christina Welsh and Ernie Barbarash, the film stars Sharon Lean as Zoe Reynard, who's married to the man she has loved since childhood (played by Boris Kodjoe), has 2 wonderful children, and enjoys a thriving professional life, but feels helpless in the grip of an overpowering addiction... to sex. Finding a therapist to help her, Zoe finally finds the courage to tell her...

The legions of fans of Zane’s provocative best-selling thriller Addicted, adapted into a major motion picture from Lionsgate and Codeblack Films, will be treated to a unique one-night event, “Addicted: Live With Zane,” the day before the film’s nationwide theatrical release, it was announced today by event hosts Lionsgate, Codeblack Films and Fathom Events.

The three companies have joined forces to give fans an early chance to see the film and participate in a live Q&A with best-selling author Zane, Addicted stars Sharon Leal, Boris Kodjoe, Tasha Smith, Tyson Beckford andWilliam Levy and the film’s director Bille Woodruff. The event will be broadcast live from the AMC Magic Johnson Theater in New York and audiences will have the opportunity to ask questions via Twitter as well as hear Grammy-winning recording artist Estelle sing her latest single, “Conqueror,” featured in the film.

“Addicted: Live With...

The 18th Annual Urbanworld Film Festival (www.urbanworld.org), presented by Bet Networks with founding sponsor HBO, announced the addition of an exclusive look at scenes from the upcoming Lionsgate/Codeblack Films release, "Addicted," and a Q & A with the stars and filmmakers. "Addicted," based on the best-selling novel by Zane and a screenplay by Christina Welsh and Ernie Barbarash, is a sexy and provocative thriller about desire and the dangers of indiscretion.  Successful businesswoman Zoe Reynard (Sharon Leal) appears to have attained it all - the dream husband she loves, two wonderful children and a flourishing...

Give into temptation with Lionsgate’s upcoming provocative thriller, ‘Addicted.’ The distributor, which will release the film on October 10 in theaters, has released the drama’s first look image, poster and trailer. ‘Addicted’ was directed by ‘Beauty Shop’ helmer Bille Woodruff, and was written by Christina Welsh and Ernie Barbarash. The thriller stars Sharon Leal, Boris Kodjoe, Tyson Beckford, Kat Graham and William Levy. Lionsgate has released the following synopsis for ‘Addicted’: Based on the best-selling novel by Zane, Addicted is a sexy and provocative thriller about desire and the dangers of indiscretion. Successful businesswoman Zoe Reynard (Sharon Leal) appears to have attained it all – the dream husband she loves [ Read More ]

The post Become Addicted with Drama’s First Look Image, Poster and Trailer appeared first on Shockya.com.

The provocative and tantalizing new poster for the upcoming film, ‘Addicted,’ has been released by the drama’s distributor, Lionsgate. The seductive poster debuted in anticipation for the sexy thriller’s theatrical release on October 10. ‘Addicted,’ which warns what happens when a seemingly successful woman heads down a perilous path of desire, danger and indiscretion, was directed by Bille Woodruff. The Christina Welsh and Ernie Barbarash-penned thriller stars Sharon Leal, Boris Kodjoe, Tasha Smith, Tyson Beckford, Emayatzy Corinealdi, Kat Graham and William Levy. Lionsgate has released the following synopsis for ‘Addicted’: Based on the best-selling novel by Zane, Addicted is a sexy and provocative thriller about desire and the dangers of [ Read More ]

The post Lionsgate Entices Audiences to Become Addicted with New Film Poster appeared first on Shockya.com.

Check out the below first poster for Lionsgate's upcoming adaptation of erotic fiction writer Zane's popular novel "Addicted," which follows the trials and tribulations of a professional African American woman with a sex addiction. Directed by Bille Woodruff, from a script penned by Christina Welsh and Ernie Barbarash, the film stars Sharon Lean as Zoe Reynard, who's married to the man she has loved since childhood (played by Boris Kodjoe), has 2 wonderful children, and enjoys a thriving professional life, but feels helpless in the grip of an overpowering addiction... to sex. Finding a therapist to help her, Zoe finally finds the courage to tell her torrid...

Lionsgate has given Bille Woodruff's drama Addicted a March 14, 2014 release date. They have also shifted Kevin Greutert's horror thriller Jessabelle to August 29, 2014 from it's original date of January 10, 2014.

Addicted stars Sharon Leal and Boris Kodjoe and is based on a novel by Zane. The story centers on Zoe Reynard, whose sex addiction is ruining her home life. Bille Woodruff directed from a script by Christina Welsh and Ernie Barbarash.

Jessabelle centers on a young woman, who loses her fiance' in a horrible accident. She is forced to recuperate her injuries in her father's decrepit mansion, where she discovers a terrify presence connected to her dead mother. Kevin Greutert directed the horror project from Robert Ben Garant.

Addicted comes to theaters March 14th, 2014.

Jessabelle comes to theaters August 29th, 2014 and stars Sarah Snook, Joelle Carter, Mark Webber, David Andrews, Amber Stevens, Ana de la Reguera, Chris Ellis. The film is directed by Kevin Greutert.

Boris Kodjoe has been cast in a lead role in Lionsgate’s Addicted. The Billie Woodruff-helmed film, based on the novel by New York Times best-selling author Zane, will be produced by Paul Hall and executive produced by Charisse Nesbit. Christina Welsh wrote the screenplay. The story centers on Zoe, a woman in a perfectly quaint marriage. The couple are busy raising three children while devoted to their careers. However, it’s not enough to fulfill all of her desires as she soon finds herself satisfying her addiction to sex with other men, which puts her on a dangerous path

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Exclusive: Manager Andrew Wilson has joined Zero Gravity Management, Mark and Christine Holder have confirmed. Wilson spent 11 years at Evolution Entertainment and Twisted Pictures, leaving a year ago to join Prolific. His clients include author and filmmaker Clive Barker, Mother’s Day helmer Darren Lynn Bousman, Bag of Bones scribe Matt Venne, who just turned in Mystery on 5th Ave for Jj Abrams at Paramount; Jake Wade Wall; and Christina Welsh, whose script Mind Games has Joe Ruben attached to direct at Inferno and Anonymous Content. Wilson’s producing credits include Lottery Ticket with Ice Cube. “Andrew is a manager with phenomenal taste and a fantastic work ethic,” Mark Holder said. “Christine and I are absolutely thrilled to have him as part of the Zg team and look forward to a long future together.”...

Regular television viewers might be familiar with a credit or two attributed to Mary Rodriguez, but film lovers would only know her work via the little-seen 2001 debut Acts of Worship. Now, however, Deadline reports that she’s been brought back into the feature fray by Lionsgate, being hired to direct Addicted, an adaptation of the “provocative bestselling novel” by Zane. (You just know it’s provocative because the author’s name only consists of one part.)

Look out, McQueen: The “psychological drama” centers on “the perfect family woman whose addiction to sex is unraveling her perfect family life.” With a screenplay that was initially drafted by Christina Welsh, then given a furbish by Lucy Thurber, the project is gearing up to commence shooting in the late spring or early summer. Unfortunately, those of you who want to know something about, say, casting will just have to be patient.

But even...

Exclusive: Lionsgate has set Rosemary Rodriguez to direct Addicted, an adaptation of the provocative bestselling novel by Zane. The book is a psychological drama that tells the story of the perfect family woman whose addiction to sex is unraveling her perfect family life. Script was written by Christina Welsh, with a rewrite by playwright Lucy Thurber. The film’s being readied for a spring/early summer start. Rodriguez has helmed Acts of Worship and episodes of TV shows including The Good Wife and Rescue Me. She’s repped by Rain Management Group and Paradigm.

Peter Medak has been tapped to direct the erotic thriller Addicted for Lionsgate.

Based on a novel by Zane, whose sex-themed tomes have developed a cult following, the story centers on Zoe, a successful black art dealer whose marriage, family and career are threatened by her overpowering addiction to sex. Medak (Romeo Is Bleeding) will direct from a script penned by Christina Welsh.

Zane and Suzanne De Passe are producing the film, which begins shooting in the fall in Atlanta.

Mike Paseornek, John Sacchi and Charisee Nesbit are overseeing for Lionsgate.

Medak, whose helming credits also include Pontiac Moon, is attached to direct Inamorata for Initial Entertainment and Infinitum Nihil.

He is repped by the Gersh Agency, Ensemble Entertainment and attorney George Hayum.

Welsh is repped by Evolution Management and attorney Jeff Frankel.