Hallmark to Adapt ‘The Beach House’ Novel to Movie

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

Hallmark Channel will develop a new original movie based on author Mary Alice Monroe’s novel The Beach House, the network said Monday.

The movie, which will air exclusively on Hallmark in 2016, will star Andie MacDowell (Cedar Cove) who will also serve as executive producer. The story follows a woman struggling through life who returns to her Southern roots and troubled family after an unusual request from her mother.

“The evocative prose of The Beach House is an exploration of strengths and weaknesses so eloquently portrayed in all of Mary Alice Monroe’s writing: agony against past mistakes, present pain and the hope of a brighter future,” said Michelle Vicary, Executive Vice President, Programming, Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries in a statement.

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.