*TV One unveiled seven new series, including its first scripted drama as part of its 2016-2917 programming slate during its upfront today in New York.
They join seven returning series in an expansion of the network’s primetime schedule to four nights of original programming, reports Deadline.com. The African American-focused cable channel also has 11 new original movies, including films about the Debarge family, the Trayvon Martin killing and the friendship between Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe.
TV One also will air the 48th NAACP Image Awards and Triumph Awards as part of its 2016/2017 schedule. And as previously reported, the network picked up cable rights to Fox’s “Empire.”
Its first scripted drama series “Sneaker Pawn” centers on 17-year-old Chase Reed whose sneaker business turns him into the hottest mogul in New York City.
Here are full descriptions of TV One’s new series and original movies for 2016/2017:
NEW SERIES
Family Bond
This new docu-series centers around “Bail Bonding by CJ,” a family-owned bail bonding company based in North Carolina, and the clients they fight for. Running their highly lucrative 19-year-old business out of their brand new headquarters in downtown Winston-Salem, Princess and CJ Jones and they’re beautiful twin ball-busting daughters have a solid lock on the city’s bail bonding business. However, the family members don’t always agree on where the buck should really stop.
The Dating Games
In The Dating Games, a revolutionary game show meets dating show format, groups of friends, family, cast members, teammates and everyday people compete against each other while being voyeurs of real dates. The participants are captured by hidden cameras as they answer thought-provoking and often intimate questions about the daters. Each correct answer earns a cash prize for the collective. It’s a brilliant mix of The People’s Couch meets Love Connection.
#Murder
Crime goes viral in this cutting-edge investigative series that examines crime with a deadly connection to technology and social media. Whether the killer met the victim online, posted incriminating details on his Facebook page, or the cops used social media to hunt down the killer, each episode of #Murder examines how homicide – like everything else in this day and age – has gone digital.
For My Woman
Coming off the hit For My Man, For My Woman explores the dramatic and often deadly decisions made by men steeped in blinded love, mental or physical abuse or the unequivocal thrill that comes with pleasing their woman – often ending in long-lasting consequences they never imagined.
Thou Shalt Not
Thou Shall Not is a one-hour true crime series that pulls back the curtain on individuals who commit the gravest of sins: breaking God’s Ten Commandments. Murders, scandals, cover-ups, and deadly affairs are just a few of the crimes in each episode’s juicy portrayal of Godless behavior. Full of shocking reveals and heart-stopping twists, these sinners don’t just break the laws of man…they break the laws of God.
Evidence of Innocence
A chilling documentary series, Evidence of Innocence profiles the unbelievable true stories of individuals who were convicted of crimes they didn’t commit. But, these real-life heroes successfully fought to have their guilty verdicts thrown out and win back their freedom. Post-prison, these men now must reenter society to lead lives as husbands, fathers, business leaders and ultimately, champions of those who remain falsely imprisoned. Evidence of Innocence will be hosted by famed civil rights attorney, Benjamin Crump.
NEW ORIGINAL MOVIES
All This Love: The Debarge Family Story
The world famous DeBarge siblings sought to escape a life of abuse and rejection to become one of the most successful families in R&B music, second only to the Jacksons. From Switch and DeBarge to solo acts, the DeBarges enjoyed fame, wealth and gold-record status, but behind the scenes, the siblings were haunted by the ghosts of their past and deeply scarred by years of emotional and physical abuse. They inevitably fell prey to promiscuity, violence and drug addiction, sending their careers into a downward spiral from which they never fully recovered. All This Love will be the second installment of the Unsung Film Series.
Ella & Marilyn
This original film tells the true story of the unexpected yet authentic friendship between Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe. Kindred spirits, the women shared similar relationship issues with their husbands and found solace in each other. The movie also follows the fight the women took on to desegregate the nightclub business. Against all odds, the clever and talented women enlisted the help of “A-List” Hollywood in their endeavor, including Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Burt Lancaster, Peter Lawford, Cary Grant, Sammy Davis Jr., Judy Garland, Nat King Cole and more. Ella and Marilyn’s mission would ultimately give rise to perhaps the greatest jazz recordings in history.
Grown & Sexy
A romantic dramedy that will have viewers laughing, crying and “rooting for love,” Grown & Sexy focuses on the love story of Nye and Julius. Having had her heart broken by her cheating fiancé, Nye puts all of her energy into chasing her dreams of starting her own whiskey label. Complications arise when she falls in love with her business partner, Julius, who just so happens to also be her sister’s ex-boyfriend.
Italian Valentine
A newly single travel agent is through with Valentine’s Day. She’s just plain over it, and understandably so. When one of her regular clients needs to cancel a last minute trip to Italy, instead of forfeiting the trip, he gives it to her as a gift. After a comedy of errors getting there, and finding her swanky Airbnb has been double booked, she decides to share the pied-à-terre with the handsome man who is equally over Valentine’s Day. The two decide to see the town together, but will love find its way to these weary travelers? Sometimes, love can unexpectedly be found in unexpected places.
Steppin’ In The Name of Love
Steppin’ In The Name of Love is a romantic comedy set around a Chicago-Style Steppin’ Competition and a childhood love between friends that turns sour after marriage. As the reigning Steppin’ champ, the couple has been paired together to host this year’s event. The only problem is…they can’t stand each other. Can they step back in love through the competition?
Royal Family Vacation
The Royal family returns to TV One! After a fake divorce that led to a real breakup, a bevy of secrets and a stint in jail, the Royals are back and ready to celebrate Austin and Winifred’s wedding. But when Flip talks them into having the wedding in Cape Town the Royals’ excitement wanes. Nonetheless, they travel to South Africa, only to find themselves among people who look like them, but whose customs are dramatically different. Increasing the drama, Austin has a secret that may result in him calling off the wedding, once again resulting in madcap humor and adventures of royal proportions.
The Pardon: The Katina Smith Story
A story of faith, fortitude and forgiveness, The Pardon follows the life of Katina Smith, a young, struggling mother who spends 15 years behind bars for drug trafficking. The film chronicles the relationship she maintained with her son, Super Bowl 50 Champion Demaryius Thomas, while incarcerated, giving her the strength to persevere. In 2015, President Obama pardoned Smith and for the first time ever, she would have the opportunity to watch her son play football, and at Super Bowl 50 of all places. But, before Katina could fully enjoy the blessings she had been bestowed, she would have to accept three pardons: one from the President, one from her children and most importantly, Smith would have to pardon herself.
A Mother’s Worst Nightmare
A Mother’s Worst Nightmare is an urban true crime drama chronicling one of America’s most polarizing murder cases in recent history: the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin, a 17-year-old African-American high school junior. The film centers on Sybrina Fulton, Martin’s mother, as she diligently raises her son in the predominantly African-American community of Miami Gardens, Florida. Much of the story covers the months leading up to Martin’s death and the events that steer him to get involved with the wrong crowd. After a string of school suspensions, Fulton sends her son to spend time with his father, but this only leads to trouble – in the name of George Zimmerman.
The Story of Esther
Following the success of To Hell and Back and For the Love of Ruth, TV One puts a modern twist on another powerful biblical story. Esther is a young, beautiful woman who, despite her meager beginnings, manages to make a name for herself in her small hometown. She catches the eye of Xavier Jeffries, a handsome and prominent political leader; they fall in love and marry. Unbeknownst to Xavier, Esther is a member of the very Haitian community that his political associates have long targeted as “criminals” and “undesirables.” Xavier moves ahead with plans to force the Haitians out. Esther appeals to Xavier in the hopes he will change his mind. Will Esther compromise her new life for the sake of her Haitian community?
Hit a Lick: The Falicia Blakely Story
As covered by an episode of For My Man, Hit a Lick documents the unfettered true story of Falicia Blakely, who at the age of 16 met a man 11 years her senior. Within two short years, she would be a prostitute facing the death penalty for three murders. Harrowing and absolutely gripping, this is a story of self-destruction and what a woman will do in the name of love.
Sex, Politics, Race & Religion
A finalist in the 2015 TV One Screenplay Competition in conjunction with the American Black Film Festival (ABFF), Sex, Politics, Race & Religion explores the dichotomous relationship between the laughter and pain of a comic. After losing a bet to his friends, a comedy writer performs what turns out to be his first and last stand-up comedy show. While the audience consumes the comedy routine about his unique perspective on the world, including his faltering relationship with his live-in girlfriend, the country’s political climate, racism he’s experienced and his ideas on religion, the jokes are intercut with slivers of his life. Little does the audience know that he is literally dying laughing.
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