Upfronts 2014: Lifetime Enters 'The Red Tent'

Lifetime is adapting Anita Diamant’s novel The Red Tent into a four-hour miniseries.

Set in Biblical times, The Red Tent spans the tale of several generations of women. Rebecca Ferguson (The White Queen), will play the central character of Dinah, the daughter of Leah and Jacob, who is referenced in the Old Testament's book of Genesis.

"The Red Tent brings premium and popular elements to a unique and timeless story,” said Rob Sharenow, EVP and General Manager, Lifetime.  “It perfectly articulates our vision for Lifetime as the destination for epic movie events.”

The miniseries begins with Dinah’s (Ferguson) happy childhood spent inside the red tent where only the women of her tribe are allowed to gather and share the traditions and turmoil of ancient womanhood.  Told through the central character's eyes, the film recounts the story of her mothers Leah (Minnie Driver), Rachel (Homeland's Morena Baccarin), Zilpah and Bilhah, the four wives of Jacob (Game of Thrones' Iain Glen), and his courtship of them. The saga continues as Dinah matures and experiences an intense love that subsequently leads to a devastating loss, changing the fate of her and her family’s lives forever. Debra Winger portrays Rebecca, Jacob’s mother, while Will Tudor (GOT) stars as Joseph, Dinah’s brother.

Sony Pictures Television, with Paul Weinstein serving as executive producer, will produce The Red Tent, which the women's-targeted service will trumpet along with the rest of its slate, during A+E Networks' upfront presentation to advertisers in New York tonight.

“The Red Tent brings premium and popular elements to a unique and timeless story,” said Rob Sharenow, executive vic epresident and general manager at Lifetime, in announcin the project.  “It perfectly articulates our vision for Lifetime as the destination for epic movie events.”