Claire Forlani, Oliver Hudson and Jacqueline Bisset to Star in ’Carolina Moon,’ First of Four Nora Roberts Best-Selling Novels to become Lifetime original movies airing in February 2007

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 11 /PRNewswire/ — Feature film star Claire Forlani ("Meet Joe Black"), Oliver Hudson ("Dawson’s Creek") and Jacqueline Bisset ("The Deep") will star in the upcoming Lifetime Original Movie "Carolina Moon," based on the #1 New York Times Best-Selling book by acclaimed author Nora Roberts, it was announced today by Libby Beers, Vice President, Original Movies. "Carolina Moon" tells the story of an unusual young woman who returns to her hometown to confront the violent memories of her childhood. She unexpectedly finds love in the arms of an old friend and becomes the key to solving a series of murders that began with the death of her childhood best friend. "Carolina Moon" will premiere in February 2007 on Lifetime Television.

"Nora Roberts’ fans are passionate about her books and have helped make her one of the most popular authors in the world. We hope to build on that huge fan base by bringing these characters to life," said Beers. "We are also thrilled to begin the first of our Nora Roberts movies with such esteemed talent as Claire Forlani, Jacqueline Bisset and Oliver Hudson."

Currently in pre-production are three additional Nora Roberts films including: "Blue Smoke," "Angels Fall" and "Montana Sky," also airing in February 2007.

In the movie, Tory Bodeen (Claire Forlani) returns to her small hometown in North Carolina to rebuild her life. Having the gift of visions, Tory’s homecoming means reliving the waking nightmares that flashed through her mind the night her childhood best friend Hope Lavelle was killed. Tory’s link to Hope’s death makes her not only the focus of the Lavelle family’s hatred, but also the target of Hope’s killer.

Though she finds herself reluctantly falling in love with Hope’s older brother Cade (Oliver Hudson), Tory quickly realizes that Hope’s death was only the first in a string of murders that have continued every year since that terrible day. The murderer, who may be someone closer than she realizes, has been waiting for Tory’s return, killing other young women annually, and now it seems he’ll strike at anyone close to her. Only Tory has the key to solving the murders, and she must do it quickly before she becomes his final victim.

Forlani is the British-born beauty audiences first took note of when she starred in "Meet Joe Black" alongside Brad Pitt. Her other film credits include "Hallam Foe," "Antitrust," "The Rock," "Basquiat," "Mallrats," "The Last Time I Committed Suicide," "Boys and Girls," "Dungeon Siege," "Green Street Hooligans," "White on White," "Stroke of Genius," "Shadow Dancer," "The Medallion," "Northfork" and "Mystery Men." In 2003, she appeared in the television movie "The Pentagon Papers" and this year, she starred in the miniseries "Nightmares and Dreamscapes: From the Stories of Stephen King."

Hudson was recently seen in the NBC miniseries "10.5: Apocalypse" and just completed production on the horror film "Black Christmas," starring opposite Michelle Trachtenberg and the independent horror film "The Breed," executive produced by Wes Craven. Last year, Hudson starred in The WB drama "The Mountain." His other television credits include "Dawson’s Creek" and "My Guide to Becoming a Rock Star." His feature film credits include "The Out-Of- Towners," "Going Greek," "The Smokers" and "Kill the Man."

Bisset plays the matriarch of the Lavelle family, mother of Cade and Hope Lavelle. She is known for a diverse range of roles in both film and television, including the most recent independent films "The Physical Education of Girls," "Sleepy Time Gal" and "Latter Days," as well as the classic hit films "Day for Night," "Bullitt," "Under the Volcano," "The Deep," "Rich and Famous," "Murder on the Orient Express" and "Dangerous Beauty." Some of her television projects have included "Anna Karenina" and "Napoleon and Josephine."

Since publishing her first novel in 1981, Roberts has gone on to become a #1 New York Times best-selling sensation. With more than 295 million books in print, Roberts’ novels have spent a combined 102 weeks at the #1 spot on the coveted New York Times best-seller list. Roberts’s most recent novel Angels Fall debuted at #1 on the list and has spent two weeks in the top position.

"Carolina Moon" is produced by Mandalay Television and Stephanie Germain Productions for Lifetime Television. Peter Guber ("Rainman," "Batman," "The Color Purple," "The Jacket"), Stephanie Germain (Lifetime’s "Gracie’s Choice," "The Day After Tomorrow") and Peter Strauss ("The Jacket") are the executive producers. Stephen Tolkin ("Fidel," "Mr. Murder") wrote the teleplay and will also direct.

Mandalay Television has achieved great success in series, made-for- television movies and miniseries. Mandalay movies and miniseries have produced some of the strongest ratings of all-time, including Dean Koontz’s "Intensity," a four-hour miniseries based on the best-seller by Dean Koontz - the highest rated miniseries ever on Fox; "First Daughter," a two-hour original movie starring Mariel Hemingway for TBS which was the highest rated basic cable movie in history and spawned two sequels: "First Target" and "First Shot"; "Blood Crime," which launched USA’s Crime Friday and was the highest rated original program for the network in 2002; and "The Linda McCartney Story." Mandalay is currently in production on "Brotherhood," the critically acclaimed series for Showtime.

Lifetime is the leader in women’s television and one of the top-rated basic cable television networks. A diverse, multi-media company, Lifetime is committed to offering the highest quality entertainment and information programming, and advocating a wide range of issues affecting women and their families. Lifetime Television, LMN, Lifetime Real Women, Lifetime Home Entertainment, and Lifetime Online are part of Lifetime Entertainment Services, a 50/50 joint venture of The Hearst Corporation and The Walt Disney Company.