SoapNet Drops Into Scripted Sports Realm

SoapNet is skating into the sports realm in bolstering its original programming roster.

The network will drop the puck on MVP: The Secret Live of Hockey Wives (working title) on June 19, a scripted look at the on and off-the-ice drama engulfing the Canadian Mustangs team and the women in their lives.

SoapNet has ordered 10 installments from Screen Door Inc. , as the series will settle into the 11 p.m. time slot that will be filled, beginning May 8 with Relative Madness, six specials, replete with clips and commentary about the craziness of TV families.

As for Hockey Wives there’s some craziness at play there as well. Consider these storylines: The star player dies of an overdose, while his pampered wife ends up on the street. Then, their daughter sleeps with the hot new rookie.... and the season hasn’t even begun.  

The cast stars Lucas Bryant (Gabe McCall), Dillon Casey (Trevor Lemonde), Mathew Bennett (Malcom LeBlanc), Peter Miller (Damon Trebuchet), Kristin Booth (Connie Lewis), Anastasia Phillips (Tabbi Schnaare), Deborah Odell (Evelyn McBride), Natalie Krill (Molly McBride) and Olivia Waldriff (Grace Morris).

“SoapNet will increase its original program offerings this spring and summer. MVP is an intense drama with a great cast and interesting stories,” said Brian Frons, president, Daytime, Disney-ABC Television Group, in a statement. “Our record-breaking success with General Hospital: Night Shift last year reinforces that our viewers have an insatiable appetite for serialized drama. MVP is the next series to fill that need.”