What to Watch Saturday: New Lifetime movie series based on VC Andrews novels

Brooke Cain

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Here’s what’s on TV tonight.

V.C. Andrews’ Dawn (8 p.m., Lifetime)

This new limited series, released as a four-part movie event, is based on author V.C. Andrews’ Dawn Cutler novels.

▪ Who stars in “VC Andrews’ Dawn”? The movie series stars Brec Bassinger as Dawn Longchamp / Eugenia Grace Cutler, Donna Mills as Lillian Cutler, Joey McIntyre as Michael Sutton, Jesse Metcalfe as Ormand Longchamp, Khobe Clarke as Jimmy Longchamp and Fran Drescher as Agnes Morris.

▪ The plot of “Dawn” on Lifetime: “’Dawn’ follows the story of Dawn Longchamp (Bassinger), who after growing up in humble surroundings with a very hardworking family including her devoted father Ormand (Metcalfe) and older brother Jimmy (Clarke), suddenly has everything she loves ripped away from her. After discovering the shocking truth about the people who raised her, she is thrust into a new family whose dark and twisted secrets change the course of her life forever.

“As Dawn struggles to fit in, her wicked grandmother Lillian Cutler (Mills) rules her life with an iron fist and inflicts cruel punishments when Dawn does not follow her strict orders. When Dawn finds herself entrenched in the mysteries surrounding the family, it becomes clear that a dark and inescapable curse looms over the Cutlers.”

Brec Bassinger, left, as Dawn Longchamp and Jesse Metcalfe as Ormand Longchamp in the Lifetime movie “VC Andrews’ Dawn.” LIFEITME
Brec Bassinger, left, as Dawn Longchamp and Jesse Metcalfe as Ormand Longchamp in the Lifetime movie “VC Andrews’ Dawn.” LIFEITME

▪ Novels vs. movies: “Dawn” was a novel started by Andrews, most known for the “Flowers in the Attic” series, and finished by ghostwriter Andrew Neiderman after her death. It’s the first of five novels in the Dawn Cutler series.

The Lifetime movie series is based on the first four novels: “Dawn,” “Secrets of the Morning” (July 15), “Twilight’s Child” (July 22) and “Midnight Whispers” (July 29).

▪ How to watch “Dawn”: “V.C. Andrews’ Dawn” premieres on Lifetime at 8 p.m., Saturday, July 8. New movies will premiere each Saturday night throughout July.

▪ How to watch other VC Andrews movies: 18 previous V.C. Andrews movies and limited series are available on MyLifetime.com, the Lifetime App and on demand. Lifetime Movie Club currently features titles from Lifetime’s full V.C. Andrews movie/series library.

Elyse Maloway, left, and Donna Mills star in the Lifetime limited series “VC Andrews’ Dawn.” LIFETIME
Elyse Maloway, left, and Donna Mills star in the Lifetime limited series “VC Andrews’ Dawn.” LIFETIME

Some programming descriptions are provided by networks.

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